Cleared for take off ............

What a great sight and noise it is when a Mute Swan decides to get airborne, apart from the flapping noise as its wings beat against the surface of the water it has to sprint like Linford Cristie to get up to take off speed.

This image shows the splashes as its webbed feet flail the surface of the water to assist overcoming gravity and getting airborne which is not easy for one of our biggest birds, magnificent.   

Mute Swan in flight .......

The beating sound of the wings of Mute Swans on the water surface when on their take-off run is an unmistakable sound that can be heard from a long way away giving fair warning of a photo opportunity.

Regal birds that dominate all other species on our inland water bodies.

Backlit Mute Swan in late aftenoon light .....

Great mid afternoon light today but the wind was blowing a hooley over the reed beds, a mixed party of at least ten male and female Bullfinches greeted me when I arrived at the Aldwincle Reserve car park but departed immediately when I parked up, I could hear them with their very distinctive contact calls hidden in the hedgerow on the other side of the road but no photo opportunities presented.

My objective was to try and get some better images of the resident male Stonechat from the Peter Scott hide, no joy there.

The Swan was a bonus and I particularly like the water droplets falling from its beak.

In the distance and beyond the reach of my cameras lens combo there was a  mixed flock of at least three male and four female ( redhead ) Goosanders, what elegent birds both sexes are and a really welcome mid-winter visitor.

A Regal character .....

This Cob Mute Swan came over to take a good look at me giving the opportunity for a more than full frame image.

They really are magnificent 
birds.

The eye contact in the image is excellent.

He has a lot of gravitas and presence that almost shouts out his confidence in his position as the dominant elder of the water residing bird population at the Gravel pits.

When nesting they are very territorial and aggressive yet outside the breeding season they seem to be far more tolerant of their peers.

A quick recent head count at the reserve came to a total of
twenty seven individuals quite densely grouped in a fairly harmonious  manner.

The landscape of our inland water bodies would not be the same without them. 

    

Property of the Queen .........

 A few of my favourite images of Mute Swans ........

                                          Cock of the walk ...........  Displaying.

This chap had had a really good preen, wash and brush up.  If you look at the leading edge of the birds wings it almost look to me as if they are covered in lather having enjoyed a Vosene shampoo experience ( or any other commercially available hair care product ).  

                                        Very graceful in flight for such a large bird.