Since after these crazy weeks I can probably start have some more free time, it makes total sense restarting my usual posting habits writing about one of my favourite subjects: birds! This week's SMAP theme is free, and since I've revisited my Croatian photo album due to all the Hivefest posts, featuring one of the bird species I saw there seems a good idea.
Not that this species is Croatia-specific, not even near! But they're magestic, no matter where they live.
There are a few swan species, but the mute swan is the one native to Europe, and the one we'll usually find. Truth be told, they're almost unmistakable; the orange beak with the black knob on top is one of the ways to distinguish them from other swan species.
I've seen a great number of them while visiting a natural park near Split called Krka. As I arrived, a short boat ride took us through the river to a place near the Stradinski buk waterfall, the park's crown jewel. And that's where i first saw them, strolling around the river margins.
Soon realised they were all over the place: near the margins, in the middle of the river riding the waves caused by the boats... even flying near as if they were boat-chasing!
They didn't seem to mind the boats at all, since there were preening and feeding just a few meters away. Given the amount of tourism in the park, boats are probably common throughout the day.
That gives these magestic creatures a lot of oportunities to do some human-watching too! I wonder if during the mating season some of the smaller boats don't get some attacks if they get near the nests, since swans are highly territorial.
Or if not attacks, at least some loud noises stating their irritation; yes, because although they are called mute swans, they're definitely not mute! For what I researched, the name comes from the fact that they're not as noisy or loud as the other swan species.
Adding birdwatching to waterfall watching is a nice complement, wouldn't you say? ;)
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I love swans, although one really has to be careful not to annoy them. Absolutely gorgeous entry photo and this is a place I would love to visit.
By the way, today I took few photos of swans in the sea. They arrived earlier than usual. We see them in winter months, not in September. I wonder what makes them come now, besides I saw just two.
True, and the same with geese; those waterbirds can go crazy mode! :)))
Hahaha, crazy mode it is. 🤣
It could be scary though.
Indeed. Better be prepared for a quick run! :)))
Two of your favorite activities 👍 I'm sure its not encouraged but I wonder if some of the boats feed the swans 🤔 Nice pics
Wouldn't be surprised if they did, although they didn't seem that interested in being near the boats, more like minding their own business! :)
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Good for you! My school year started and I personally, have disastrous less time on my hands. But have got a pile of photos from this year, that I gonna share. This summer I see a pair of swans too, at one special park with paid entrance, but they were kept in a separate are which these greedy moneymakers wanted us to pay extra... so we did not enter to the swans corner, and I have no pics. Your photos look awesome, even if it is not close ups.
Swans can be found in a ton of city parks here, no need to pay to see them :)
@empo.voter, I welcome you to check my birding photos too 🐤 please please, I do need a little more support from community for my efforts. Excuse me for alert, in case it bothers you. 😘