The river bank and leafless trees are heavy with snow. Mallards, swans and cygnets mingle in the shallows. The sun is higher in the sky, her glow a little warmer. For nine months, this part of the river has been the cygnets’ home, their sanctuary. First there were seven. One of them, bright and brave, flew the nest nine weeks ago. Soon the remaining six will spread their wings to begin their own adventure.
winter wind
a flock of geese
stretches the sky
© Xenia Tran
These are the last images I have from the remaining cygnets. They were chased away by their parents the following day and encouraged to make their own way in the world. It’s been a joy watching them hatch, grow and develop. We wish them all a healthy and happy long life in the Highlands.
You can read about the first cygnet leaving the nest in last year’s post Into the World.
With love from Xenia xxx
Photographs by Xenia Tran, edited in lr.
Camera: Canon Powershot SX60 HS, Settings: f/5 – 1/250 s – ISO 200, f/5.6 – 1/800 – ISO 400 and f/6.5 – 1/400 s – ISO 400.
Friendly Friday: Stay in Your Comfort Zone
Rag Tag Daily Prompt: Sanctuary
Tranature 
So lovely. It is always a bitter sweet moment when the young make their own way in the world!
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Thank you dear Heather, it truly is! 🙂💖 xxx
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Most welcome.
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Reblogged this on Frank J. Tassone and commented:
#Haiku Happenings #6: Xenia Trans’ latest #haibun!
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Thank you so much for the reblog Frank! 🙂💖 xxx
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🙂
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So very beautiful.
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Thank you kindly 🙂
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Very beautiful and even magical, I’d say. I feel sad about those babies leaving their nest, but that’s how it goes…
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Thank you so much for your kind words 💜 I feel a bit sad too, it was a joy to see them learn and grow. Thankfully they had a great start in life with two wonderful parents 🙂💖 xxx
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Good-bye, little ones! Be safe.
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Thank you dear Lois 🙂💖 xxx
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The beauty in cold. Amazing.
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Thank you dear Anita 🙂💖 xxx
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And the annual cycle begins again – nature reassures.
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Thank you dear Eliza, she truly does 🙂💖 xxx
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Yes, bittersweet! Lovely, lovely photos and even lovelier words.
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Thank you so much for your kind words dear Laurie 🙂💖🌺 xxx
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So happy the cygnets have had such a wonderful place to grow, healthy and about to make their own way, on the other hand it’s sad when they’re ready to leave. I hope they’ll soon have their own families to love and care for 💖 Beautiful photos and words, Xenia 🦢xxx
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Thank you so much for your kind words dear Cathy 💜 I wish them well and hope they will continue the family trait of giving their own offspring such a loving start in life. Hope you are having a great day and much love to you and Finn from all of us here 🤗💖🐕 xxx
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Thank you 🤗 It’s been positively spring like today – one extreme to the other 😁 Hope your day has been a good one too. Much love from us to you 💖xxx
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Thank you dear Cathy, it’s been lovely here too 🙂💜🌞 xxx
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