They've Landed

We would have posted earlier but Gussie and Mrytle didn't arrive until 5PM last night and it was too dark to snap pictures.  They arrived from Massachusetts in a carrier and dad made them spend the night in the new house with food and water and clean sawdust bedding and he closed and locked the door.  After walkies, he opened the door and let them out so this was actually the first time that we were seeing them in the daylight.

Meet Gussie and Mrytle. They're Black Swans!  They were "born" last November so they are just over a year old. 

 That's Gussie out in front.   He has more white on his beak and Mrytle has a big white feather on her side for now.  It will fall out with time. 

 Time to rise and shine and hit the water, guys!

 They've never been in a pond before. When they lived in Massachusetts, they only had a large tub and they had to take turns so this will be their first swim together!

ZOOMIES!!!!!!  Sorry the picture is blurry but they were having fun!

UH OH! Dauby the policewoman is on the job!
They aren't afraid of her at all but she's sure checking them out and letting them know that she rules THIS pond!  And surprisingly, Margaret-Chaz is keeping his/her distance along with the Flintstone Barnacles, who are are best friends with the Mute Swans.  They stick to their butts like they're glued to them!
BTW, we're positive that Dauby is a female because she lays eggs.  This spring we will know for sure if Margaret-Chaz is actually a girl or a boy!

 Yes, Dauby, you're still the most beautiful bird EVER!

The black swans will be staying in this pen for the entire winter so Dauby and Margaret and Gussie and Mrytle will have plenty of time to get to know each other "through the fence". 

So until next time............

Love ya lots,
Maggie and Mitch (who haven't actually met the Black Swans yet)