Chechnyan Swans - survival - and maybe she'll be a mother for Mother's day

[Mira]

In Prague, walking around to the various sights, we spied a small crowd bending over the railing at the edge of the river Moldau. They were looking down and when we checked on the attraction below we saw this swan sitting on a huge nest.



There was only the one. I spied the danger, the nutria, lurking and lusting for the eggs and I worried.



I got as far as seeing one of them get close - but missed taking a photo of the actual attempt by the critter because I worried so much.So I can't show you how the white princess ably thwarted his attack.



After she had chased off the nutria, she counted her eggs, moved them about and fluffed her feathers.



We checked on her 3 different times in the two days we were there, and finally, gratefully, also watched the male. He took a turn warming the eggs and when she returned continued to enlarge the nest.



These are two shots from the wealth of swans and proof the nutria did not prevail too many times

[procon]

1. The only time I was around swans they were very aggressive.

I've had geese, they make good guardians, but they can get pretty threatening with strangers. The swans were beautiful to look at, but they were bigger and even more cantankerous.

[Solly Mack]

2. Hey Mira! Love the shots. As an aside, the Nutria here are as big as the Swan pictured.

Scary big.

[Mira]

4. That's what you just did

scared me big!
I did not even know there was such a rodent. I can learn a lot from hearing Birgit talk and explain. She studied agriculture. And the books in her house are the most - on the most subjects - I have ever seen one human person own.

[Solly Mack]

5. I'd like Birgit. I love book people.

I've heard the ranger at one of the parks talk about the 30 pound nutrias they've captured. The Nutria is an invasive species and they destroy wetlands for the birds and other wildlife.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. What a wonderful story and wonderful photos, my dear Mira!

You made them live for me in your post.

What beautiful, graceful birds they are. And so vulnerable, on the ground that way.

Thank you!