My partial profile.
                                    
                                     Despite the calmness and clarity of the water in this picture, giving the impression of being fresh water,
                                     it is nevertheless, the sea. The swan was one of a group which regularly fly into the sea bay in front of the
                                     house. There were seventeen swans and seven cygnets on this particular day and I was fortunate enough
                                     to be given the opportunty of photographing them.
  <>                                         No ugly duckling.
                                   
                                    Appearances can be deceptive and it is said, doubtfully, that a blow from a swan's wing can break one's  
                                    leg. This is the same swan as the top picture, a wild swan, do not be deceived by his handsome, docile
                                    appearance. The raised wing feathers are part of his display, conveying to any would-be challengers
                                    (No doubt including myself!)  that he is the alpha male in this group. He is deemed to be a 'Mute Swan',
                                    he is anything but, emitting a  warning hissing noise when approached by humans and a deep very brief,
                                    begging, muted honk when scrounging  bread. Not only do we have the glory of the swan in this picture,
                                    but we also have his partial reflection through which his foot and detail on the sea bed can be seen,
                                    well, perhaps it is more obvious to me,I know it's there, together with the shadow he casts on the sea
                                    bed .

                                                 Who's afraid?
                                     
                                     How close will a wild swan venture for a snack. Or alternatively, how near should you approach to a wild
                                     swan? The top left white arrow indicates Fort George, behind which, but before the hills on the skyline,
                                     runs the sea inlet from the North Sea into the Inverness Firth, an ideal location for dolphin-spotting as
                                     they travel to and fro. For a full 1024X768 screen size image, click  here  then, either close by clicking on
                                     the bottom link or close the page.  (Pressing F11 will reveal more of the image and again reduce it when
                                     you wish to close)

                                                                                                       Click  for selection page.