Black swan on guard duty and 7 cygnets for Mute swan

On Monday I went for another walk with my camera in St. James's Park as I wanted to check up on the nesting black swans and I had heard that the Mute swans had cygnets.  Also, it was a lovely sunny day and just too nice to be staying indoors.

The male black swan was on guard duty - standing at the edge of the island near to the nest.

I was standing on the opposite bank and, when the female swan moved on the nest, I was able to get a photograph of her through the leaves and nettles that are surrounding her.  Most of the time, however, she was invisible!

Someone near me starting feeding the water birds, so the male black swan swam over in order to get something to eat.  He is very handsome.

He did not stay away from the island for very long and headed back over there to continue guarding his mate.  A white Ross's goose was honking and flapping it's wings, but was soon moved on by the swan.

Meanwhile, on another part of the lake, mum Mute swan was serenely sailing along by the side of the wildflower-covered bank.  She was followed by a line of the most adorable baby cygnets - seven of them in total.

She was joined by dad and they started feeding at the edge of the lake.

The family then swam along to the bridge that goes across the central part of the lake.  These photographs were taken from the bridge, looking down on the cute little cygnets.

Soon, hopefully, the pair of black swans will have a family of their own.  I can't wait to see them!