I walked the West Spit today.
Most of the leaves are gone and the wind carries a hint of winter to come.
The last of the migratory birds are passing through and soon we will have
only those that have adapted to winter here. The swans are amongst those
that winter over in our bay. Their numbers are swollen by others that come
here from nearby harbours less winter friendly. Mute Swans with their bulbous
noses and the elegant Whistling Swan are both here to winter over.
Today I spot a rarity, a Black Swan is amongst the group of almost fifty.
They are native to Australia and the Indian Ocean so I can only surmise that this one
is an escapee from a zoo or private pond. The others keep him away from the main
pack yet he stays as close as possible, cautiously seeking company.
Nature is cruel, he will not be accepted.
I hope he enjoys his taste of freedom for I doubt that he will adapt to the cold
nor learn to forage before he is too weak to survive.
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