Arrival:
6:30 am, and in the quiet half-light, the headlights of a Parks van appeared on the road and turned around to arrive right by the shore. "Are they here? Are they here?!" said I, voicing the obvious.

Ziggy opened up the doors and there before us perched four beautiful young brown swans, gently peeping.

I picked up the nearest one (they're surprisingly heavy at almost 4 months), tucked his little feet up and .... irresistible .... hugged him as we went toward the water. I set him about halfway down the concrete slope, but he didn't want to go - it's very steep with the low water level. An excuse to pick him up again, and have one more little hug before gently easing him into the water.

The other 3 followed, and the little brown fleet headed toward the Nature House area. Boy and the youngsters were 'way down at the beach end, and at that point, sleep was more important to them than weird goings-on further over. They then swam over to the north-west side, and we had to hurry on over to keep track of them. Soft brown feathers totally disappear in early morning light, and the regular flotilla of Canada Geese didn't help.

Boy's reaction:
We soon found them, however, and ... oh-oh, saw a white swan-warrior figure gliding across the water heading right for our New-Kids-on-the-Block. Boy, full-speed ahead and aiming for the nearest cygnet. Pushed him right into the shore brush, biting and hanging on. These little swans have never had to defend themselves, so we worried all the more. Screaming "YOU NAUGHTY SWAN!" at the top of my lungs had no effect whatsoever, and the poor cygnet finally found shelter in the shore brush, not far from Mama Swan's old waterside nest.

Genghis Swan's reaction (Big Brother):
And who was bringing up in the rear, but little Genghis Swan, wings also up and ready for battle. He arrived, then saw 3 cygnets and did a double-take. Hmmmmm, maybe not such a good idea after all. He turned back but Boy hung around. What to do? Wait and see.

Boy was all tired out! He had done his sprint, and that seemed to take care of him - he also turned back!

Friendly greeting by Tristan and Isolde:
After a while, the 3 headed over to the other side of the lagoon and were greeted in a friendly way by Tristan and Isolde - lo and behold, they settled in with wing-flaps, tail-twitches and checking out the goodies at the bottom of the lagoon.

Most surprising reaction of Precious' family:
Back on our side, we continued slowly up the road toward the wetlands, looking everywhere for our little lost waif when..... NO! this can't possibly be real! ..... we're seeing things! There were Precious and Marlika with Junior and...... his new buddy from Ambleside!! Precious and Marlika were "making a heart," bowing and turning their heads, chattering to each other - and - there were Junior and the new cygnet touching bills, sandwiched safely between the two adult swans. Mama and Papa Swan appeared at a little distance to check out the latest, and suddenly Precious and Marlika headed toward them, wings up in threatening mode until Mama and Papa took off. Back they hurried to "the kids" and all four proceeded to eat from the lagoon, stopping every now and then to touch bills.

Meantime the other 3 looked happy with Tristan and Isolde, and even little Genghis Swan joined them. Boy packed in his wings and decided to swim off to explore - having asserted himself first thing.

The most important thing for now is that they not be fed when together as this will create conflict. Other than that, they're off to a good start - let's hope it's the beginning of a happy time for our four adoptees.

The three cute little cygnets on their first morning at the Lagoon, staying very close together.

The nearest cygnet is our new one - fluffed up and preening, so he seems larger than "Junior" on the other side. The cygnets are between Junior's parents, Precious and Marlika .