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AND THEN THERE WERE TWO

6/23/2011

5 Comments

 
Picture
Are these the two that survived?
You know how I worry over the swan babies—a great deal more than about goslings.  Perhaps some of them were also snatched by a snapping turtle; like the one that ate two of the four cygnets.  After their Memorial Day holiday cruse around the lake, the swan family went into hiding for many days.  I could spot some white patches from a distance in their usual habitat but as I got closer the ground sloped making it level with the tail end of Flat Iron Lake, I could not longer see them through the reeds.  I hoped against hope that all the little ones survived.

But finally, they showed them selves again in full view of our windows.  I grabbed the binoculars so as to account for the cygnets.  No matter what angle I viewed, I could see only one bright white one between the parents.  My heart sank.  Three gone, just like that?  Finally I spotted a darker body almost camouflaged by the ripples and shade on the lake.   Two survived—a male and a female.  My disappointment at losing some turned to a celebration that at least two remained.  Convinced that they are big enough now to elude their predators, I rest easy—hoping to enjoy watching the little family for the rest of the season.  They must stay on the lake until the babies learn to fly from their parents, usually late September, which is a sight to behold.

I also spot many places in the yard and along the road where the snapping turtles have laid their eggs.  The eggs are now broken and strewn close to the indented soft earth.  Another kind of predator ate the potential offspring of a predator.  I suppose I should cry over them as well—but today I don’t mind if there are going to be fewer snapping turtles laying in wait for the baby swans.  How do we decide which life is more important?


5 Comments
Luann Kempema
7/11/2011 10:49:27 pm

Carol and Fritz,
Just a short note to let you know you are in my thoughts and prayers on this anniversary day of your son's accident. Along with the tears and the what-if's may there also be times of seeing God's faithfulness even in those difficult times.
Cousin Luann

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Carol Rottman
10/31/2011 02:28:48 am

Thanks, cousin, for your thoughts and wisdom. I've neglected the blog but hope to attend to it's health soon!

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Fullerton Girls link
7/5/2012 11:34:35 am

Great blog post.

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Mary Sheehan Winn link
6/8/2013 09:56:24 am

I googled up 'snapping turtles and cygnets' after visiting the swan family which two weeks ago had 3 babies and a couple of eggs. When I stopped by today they were off the nest but I could see them farther down the pond and went to observe. Yes, there were only two babies today and another visitor mentioned that the snappers may have gotten one :(
I took many photos and my search brought me here.
I send my thoughts and prayers to you for what seems like a terrible loss you've suffered. May God's love comfort you in some small way.

Reply
Wisconsin Goth Scene link
1/21/2023 05:32:56 pm

Great ppost thankyou

Reply



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