In Canada, the swan is considered an invasive species and thus tightly

controlled, with federal licenses to some municipalities for specific

numbers of birds. St. John's has a license for exactly six swans;

City officials go around each year to oil the eggs that are laid

(addling them) to prevent the number from growing. But this smart

swan couple hid their nest, and out of it came four cygnets who have

become the object of much curiosity by local walkers and

photographers. Myself included.



The City decided it would let the cygnets grow up and be handed over

to a legally entitled municipality somewhere else to live out their

lives according to law.



I like to spread the word that here in Canada, as in England, the

Queen of England owns all swans and only she is allowed to take them

for meals of swan breast soup, or roast swan, or fried swan's eggs.

Thus they are licensed and controlled here. That's more or less true

in England, but I think I am spreading mischief when I tell people

that about here.



This was Kodak Portra 400 film in the Round-the-World Zeiss Contessa

camera that I hosted for a few weeks.