Swan Family, Bartlett Pond, White Horse Beach, Manomet, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

Every spring, Bartlett Pond usually is home to two separate swan families.  Each takes up residence at opposite ends of the 30-acre boomerang shaped pond. Papa swan is not usually very tolerant of any other species (including humans) getting too close. Four cygnets are still alive in this year's brood. I sat mostly motionless on a dock for this series of images.

This is a particularly rare sight - the cygnets swimming more than a few inches away from mama or papa swan.

This is the more common view, snugged up very close.

Or sandwiched in between seems okay also.

The red winged blackbirds always build their nests in the tall reeds beside the pond. They are not happy when the swans are nearby and react by repeated loud squawks and diving attacks on the heads and necks of mama and papa swan.

Note:  I do not encourage nor discourage swans from approaching me. I simply observe them if they swim by.  I do not feed them as I especially do no want the youngsters to think humans are safe and reliable food sources - we are neither safe nor reliable.