I'm as surprised as anyone that these pictures turned out; the light conditions were the worst possible, and I kept begging them, "Puleeeeese sweeties, over here.... Just a weeeee bit more" (to get them in less reflective area of the water, or a bit closer) and the dear swans did! As far as I know, this has been the only time they came right up close in the open with the cygnet, and feel so lucky it happened while I stood there.

Posted below first are the two with Marlika and her cygnet,then one of the cygnet by him/herself and finally one of Marlika and the little one directly in front of her. All pictures taken on June 1