These beautiful creatures are named Ginger and Asher, and they are the town’s iconic birds.
They spend a leisurely summer on the Gananoque River in Confederation Park, but unlike other mute swans, Ginger and Asher don’t head to an exotic southern vacation when the days get colder in the fall.
Instead, this lovely pair spends mid October to the beginning of June at a local hobby farm with goats, sheep and ducks.
Like many captive waterfowl, Ginger and Asher’s wings were clipped within 8 to 10 days of their birth to prevent them from taking flight.
They are also tagged for identification purposes in case they somehow make their way to the St. Lawrence River and need to be tracked down.
I also discovered recently that they are not the only ones that have graced Confederation Park’s river. Apparently, swans have been spending the summer there for the past 25 years. So there have been others before Ginger and Asher.
Is there a creature more graceful than a swan? They are one of the loveliest sights of the summer.
I enjoy my visits with Ginger and Asher, and there is no doubt that they are very well taken care of, but I can’t help but feel saddened by their loss of freedom.
Have a great day, everyone.
It's a bitter-sweet situation when we get to appreciate creatures at the cost of their freedom. I must confess to being a bit scared of swans - especially when I'm in a kayak.
ReplyDeleteSwans can be pretty aggressive when they feel threatened, particularly if they have a nest nearby, so being a little intimidated by them is not a surprise!
DeleteThey're lovely, the stuff of fairy tales.
ReplyDeleteThey sure are, Christine!
DeleteWhat beautiful birds!
ReplyDeleteOne of my favourites!
DeleteSwans are lovely, Martha! I enjoyed these beautiful pictures of Ginger and Asher. Have a good one!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Louise! I wanted to share the story of Ginger and Asher.
DeleteBeautiful photos, and I feel your sadness, for they have been clipped so they know no freedom, and that hurts me so much...Funny we're of the same mind today although it took me forever to post, because Google was in a bad mood, I could not correct my mistakes, but i think the words and photo speaks for itself....Ginger and Asher could have been were they were meant to be, not used to add beauty to a town....I know what it's like to be in a cage, even one of my own making, and I can't agree with what towns do to their beautiful birds and animals x and I know you feel pain
ReplyDeleteI like that they are safe and very well taken care of, but this comes at the cost of freedom, and wings to soar with. So it does sadden me. I'd rather they be free.
DeleteThey're beautiful, but a big part of my heart wishes they were free.
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way, Mary.
DeleteWonderful photos ! They are beautiful creatures it is a shame they cant be free like they should be . Thanks for sharing , Have a good day !
ReplyDeleteIt really is a shame, Country Gal. For the longest time, I thought they came to that river of their own free will. I didn't realize until recently that they were captive swans.
DeleteGreat batch, Martha.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I didn't get crap done today.
DeleteToday is my do-nothing day. I'm exhausted, and it's time to have one of those get crap done days!
Deleteawesome swan pictures
ReplyDeleteThanks, Adam!
DeleteThe swans are beautiful! Very nice shots!
ReplyDeleteThey are gorgeous creatures. I enjoy visiting with them, but I'd rather they had their freedom.
DeleteThey look like royalty.
ReplyDeleteI wonder how many of the town's 5200 residents have feathers.
Smiles.
Be well, Martha. xo
Thanks for this comment, Robyn. It definitely made me smile :)
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