Our swans and cygnets make a brief appearance

Any day I see our swans, Penny and Tycho, and their cygnets is a wonderful day. I saw them today in the bay, after not seeing them there for at least a month and a half. (I knew they were still around because a friend who belongs to the Toronto Hydroplane and Sailing Club, located at Ashbridge’s Bay, says she sees them whenever she’s at the club.

This Sunday past, I had occasion to be my friend’s guest at the sailing club for her birthday party, and saw the swans there for myself. They were slowly cruising up and down the clubs’ boat slips, looking for handouts. Wild the swans may be, but they’re urban, eh? I think the cygnine logic goes something like this. . . Why go to the trouble of plunging under the water in search of subaquatic vegetation, when there are bread crusts and leftover hot dog buns to be had easily on a sail-past?

My friend’s party Sunday evening was interrupted by a torrential rain. But it was short-lived. Only minutes later, the sun came out, blazing. I took the opportunity then to walk out along the club’s boat slips to see if I could get closer to the swans. I called to Penny and Tycho, and they slowly sailed over to see me, the cygnets following along behind. I hadn’t seen the cygnets up close since they were very small, and it was a pleasure to see them almost fully grown — they’ve done so well.

Today when I saw the swans they were coming around the point where the “No Wake” sign is, sailing into the bay. They were only in view for a minute or two before disappearing into the maze of boat slips of the Asbhridges Bay Yacht Club.

I see their strategy now. All morning, likely, they were mooching at the Toronto Hydroplane and Sailing Club. Come afternoon, a quick jaunt into the Coatsworth Cut, around the point, into the bay, and presto! The post-meridian banquet of handouts at the bigger yacht club.  Such smart swans!

© BCP 2010