Seward, Alaska
As I approached the Mile 1 Nash Road wetlands, a circling raptor caught my eye. I pulled over and watched
a HARLAN’S HAWK spiral upwards as it called, “Keee-yurrrr!” I wonder if there
might be a nest nearby?
Driving a bit farther, I
spotted the TRUMPETER SWAN family about halfway out in the wetlands, feeding on
the water horsetails ringing the edge. It’s been a while since I’ve been lucky
enough to see them, and so I waited patiently.
To my delight, the whole
family eventually worked its way closer and closer to the road, snatching
horsetail salad all the way. The six-weeks old cygnets have grown considerably.
Their necks are getting longer and their stubby wings have a bit of reach.
Fuzzy white baby feathers lingered in tufts from their heads and in patches all
over their new, gray juvenile plumage. In between feeding, they preened and
stretched. It’s that awkward stage of in-between, but they are well on their
way to becoming beautiful swans.
The proud parents watched
their thriving brood carefully; one tried to take a little nap with
eyes open. After dining briefly near the road, it was time to head back. With a subtle
head bobbing, an adult led the whole gang away. They paddled leisurely through the
horsetails as growing necks stretched ever higher and farther,
munching all the way.
Happy Birding!
Carol Griswold
Seward Sporadic Bird Report
Reporter
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