Swans and cygnets at Abbotsbury..

Almost the last holiday post!! We'd been waiting all week for some decent weather to visit Abbotsbury Swannery in Dorset but the final day came and the weather looked promising. Until we started the long downhill descent into Abbotsbury that is! The sky got blacker and blacker and gradually we left the sun behind. But this didn't detract from the sight of all those lovely young cygnets.

Following our visit there, we went through the village to the Sub-tropical gardens - but that's for another day.

When you're very young, you need to get much sleep!

You're also very curious - especially about funny-coloured feathers.

Time for a rest again...

And even parents need some quality quiet time.

While others are "getting to know you"..

And occasionally, some things are just too much. This little one was trying to get up onto the bank to join Mum for several minutes. If only it had moved a few inches to its left it could have just walked up..

Gradually..

nearly...

not quite and fall back down again!

Think they knew it was getting on feeding time?

And just for a change.. a Mallard.

I feel this needs a caption!

Three Musketeers!

"We've only just begun".... still two more eggs to hatch and note the egg shell from one of the two recently hatched youngsters.

And later? Well the sun came out....