Swans !

When I was a lot younger, and less wise.... I was married, for a few years.

That whole thing didn't work out so well for me, for a lot of reasons, and although I sometimes feel I have missed out on a lot in the realm of family life by being single for almost forever, I am very happy with the life I have provided to and for myself.


My former husband was quite an outdoors-man. Not the growing and digging in the dirt sort like me, but more of the hunting, fishing, and trapping sort of guy.

One very valuable thing the did teach me was how to spot wildlife very well. With my sub-par eyes (even with my glasses), I can usually spot animals, birds - anything out there moving around in nature - very quickly. The simple trick is not to actually look for animals, but look for movement. It is amazing what you can see when you are just looking for movement!

My skills at spotting wildlife were much better in many cases than being able to identify the actual beast!  Once I thought I spotted a big black bear - that turned out to be a big black cow.... On another occasion, I thought I saw a big bunny hopping over the side of the road - that was a deer! So, maybe I get a little too excited when I see that movement!!!

One beautiful sight that I have not had to struggle to see at all recently is the swans swimming at the Willimantic Reservoir when I am doing my slow jog after work each day.

These beauties are so big and white in the water, that everyone can see them with no effort! What grace!

Did you know that swans are a part of the goose & duck family.
Did you know that swans generally mate for life (Unlike me apparently).
Did you know that little swans are known as swanlings? (How cute)!
Did you know that male swans are known as cobs? (I recently had this word as a crossword puzzle clue)!

So although I have not seen "my" swans in this classic pose, I still love it!

Keep your eyes open, and look for the movement of nature! You will be amazed at how much more you see

I am a Putnamaniac because I love to see all of nature around me, especially the swan couple at the reservoir!