First flights

I was delighted to see the three cygnets “taking off” this morning at Strichen Lake.
To recap, five cygnets hatched out at the end of May. Very sadly, the mother and two of the cygnets died in the next couple of months leaving Dad to “bring up” the remaining three on his own. This must have been very difficult for him as not only would he be without his lifelong partner, but also he wasn’t able to get a break from caring for his young.
I’m not humanising them, but I think it’s a remarkable achievement.
P.S. I think it looks a bit like the cygnets were stuck down on a background but they weren’t. It’s a real photo.