The swan is the symbol of the City of Lakeland, Florida and we saw many when we visited Lake Morton there.
These, I think, are Australian Black Swans (but am more than happy to be corrected if I'm wrong!). (Note: My research is confirmed by comments from several wonderful Australian bloggers .. these are definitely Australian Black Swans.)
Lakeland seems to be a very good place for birds -- whether native to Florida or imported. All we saw at Lake Morton looked very healthy and the park was full of people enjoying them.
Thank you to Eileen for hosting SATURDAY CRITTERS at her beautiful and informative blog "Viewing Nature with Eileen" .
The first time I saw black swans was in NZ. There they bobbed on a glittering turquoise sea. I didn't photograph them. Your photos brought back fond memories.
Posted by: Barb | February 11, 2014 at 07:47 PM
The black ones are what I usually see here in New Zealand and an occasional white one is a treat--so I can understand the reverse being true for you. They are such magnificent creatures and the photograph well. Love your shots!
Posted by: bettyl-NZ | February 11, 2014 at 01:54 PM
Lovely pictures of swan :)
Posted by: Ela | February 11, 2014 at 08:15 AM
Wow, what drama and intensity, both in their colour and the expression in their eyes! They definitely look like divas to me!
Wonderful pics, Sallie, as usual. Thanks for sharing!
Poppy
Posted by: Poppy | February 11, 2014 at 05:02 AM
Absolutely, beautiful swans!!! have a nice day..
Posted by: Erco Travels | February 11, 2014 at 01:25 AM
So graceful and elegant!
Posted by: Lady Fi | February 10, 2014 at 08:57 PM
Well what can I say that hasen't already been said, Black Swans are gorgeous anywhere Sallie, but the person behind the lens can turn them into a work of art.
All the best Gordon.
Posted by: Gordon | February 10, 2014 at 12:52 PM
Beautiful. David was born in Lakeland 84 years ago!
Posted by: Dianne | February 10, 2014 at 12:32 PM
The black swans are gorgeous. I don't believe I've ever seen one.
Posted by: Carver | February 10, 2014 at 08:20 AM
Such beauty and grace, Sallie. The first picture is such a study of stillness and motion, with the quietness of the swan and the ripples of water and feathers and the arch of the neck. Lovely.
Posted by: Penny | February 10, 2014 at 08:16 AM
Such beautiful birds
Posted by: craftygreenpoet | February 10, 2014 at 08:15 AM
So beautiful with his pink peak ! I never saw such a black swan, ... but never went to Australia nor Florida too !
Posted by: Annie | February 10, 2014 at 07:49 AM
Swans are so graceful. Black or white.
Posted by: Sharon Wagner | February 10, 2014 at 07:15 AM
Swans are such graceful looking birds, we do not get to see many black ones in the UK though.
Posted by: lindyloumacinitaly | February 10, 2014 at 06:37 AM
Dearest Sallie;
Wow, black swans in your pictures are SO elegant and graceful. I always love their noble way or look in the water.
You might remember (if so, my appology); my city has a big park with lake and used to have 200 white swans. I had enjoyed seeing them since little until they need to be gone because of bird flue. I especially love their long graceful neck p;)
Sending you lots of Love and Hugs from Japan to my dear friend in America, xoxo Miyako*
Posted by: orchid | February 10, 2014 at 05:44 AM
Gorgeous black swan!
I hope to see this one day!
Posted by: Reach Beyond Limits | February 10, 2014 at 04:57 AM
Aren't they lovely? Well done.
I always think of Swan Lake when I see the black ones.
(ツ) from Cottage Country Ontario , ON, Canada!
Posted by: Jenn Jilks | February 10, 2014 at 01:53 AM
How beautiful! I've never seen a black swan before!
Posted by: Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti | February 10, 2014 at 01:18 AM
I would love to see a swan like this one. Very beautiful!
Posted by: SandyCarlson | February 09, 2014 at 06:18 PM
Wow, these are beautiful! Well photographed.
Posted by: Peter B | February 09, 2014 at 12:34 PM
I love these black swans. They also help to keep the Canada geese at bay.
Posted by: Halcyon | February 09, 2014 at 10:46 AM
What a wonderful bird to photograph! They are really something with that bright red bill and black feathering. I'd love to see one some day.
Posted by: Gail | February 09, 2014 at 09:40 AM
Gorgeous swan photos ~ Wow! ~ carol and artmusedog ^_^
Posted by: artmusedog and carol | February 09, 2014 at 07:47 AM
Black swans are beautiful birds to see and I have a couple living wild close by. They are indeed native to Australia.
Re the Homing Pigeons in my last post they have coloured rings on their legs with numbers to identify them.
Take care Drew xx
Posted by: Andrew | February 09, 2014 at 04:12 AM
Love the photographs.
Posted by: Abraham Lincoln | February 09, 2014 at 04:11 AM
They are so beautiful ! We have two black swans here in a small lake, but they are rare, mostly swans are white.
Posted by: Gattina | February 08, 2014 at 10:21 PM
I absolutely adore black swans. They are gorgeous and so are your photos :)
Posted by: Denise | February 08, 2014 at 09:55 PM
Very pretty. I don't see swans around here, so these are nice to look at.
Posted by: Al | February 08, 2014 at 08:25 PM
They are beautiful! I've never actually seen a black swan outside of photos they must be quite something in person. We have a family of swans that live in a nearby pond. Beautiful creatures :)
Posted by: Sue St Clair | February 08, 2014 at 06:36 PM
Beautiful elegant creatures. I have only ever seen them in Australia
Posted by: Karen | February 08, 2014 at 05:51 PM
Great photos of the Black Swans - although it does seem a little strange to have Aussie birds as the symbol of a city in Florida!
Posted by: Mick | February 08, 2014 at 04:09 PM
They're quite distinctive. Not sure I've seen any before. Those long necks make them look - a certain angles - like a snake dragging a big bottom. :) Seems people agree they are indeed Australian swans. Personally I'm thinking they may be from New Zealand. Or Morocco. Or maybe Montenegro. What do I know? Have a great Sunday!
Posted by: Lowell | February 08, 2014 at 03:33 PM
I would like to be with those lucky swans
Posted by: Ramblingwoods | February 08, 2014 at 03:31 PM
The black swans look great
Posted by: gerald | February 08, 2014 at 02:59 PM
Beautiful! Thank you for sharing:)
Blessings,
Aimee
Posted by: Aimee | February 08, 2014 at 02:12 PM
As you have been told a few times by the proud Aussies the Black Swan is native to Australia but they are found all over now. I wonder how that happened. Love your shots of tem in all different poses.
Posted by: diane | February 08, 2014 at 02:08 PM
What gorgeous birds! They are outstanding. Once more you bring to me a whole other world!
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
*♥´¨) ¸.-´¸.-♥´¨) Happy Valentine’s Day¸.-♥¨) (¸.-` ♥♥´¨
Posted by: Linda | February 08, 2014 at 12:40 PM
They're gorgeous birds! It's always special to see them because we don't have black swans here.
Posted by: Gunilla | February 08, 2014 at 12:12 PM
a beautiful species nicely captured. :)
Posted by: NatureFootstep Photo | February 08, 2014 at 08:08 AM
We have one black swan in a city not too far from me and I always try to find him. They do stand out from our usual white swans, don't they?!
Posted by: VioletSky | February 08, 2014 at 07:40 AM
They are gorgeous!
Posted by: Mama Zen | February 08, 2014 at 07:35 AM
just so beautiful - great feather patterns and snakey neck shots!
Posted by: TexWisGirl | February 08, 2014 at 06:46 AM
Beautiful swans! The Black Swan is gorgeous. Lovely shots, Sallie. Thank for sharing on Saturday's Critters. Have a happy weekend!
Posted by: Eileen | February 08, 2014 at 04:46 AM
They look so graceful!
Posted by: Indrani | February 08, 2014 at 04:43 AM
yes, they're certainly Aussie swans - lovely snaps Sallie
Posted by: Carole M. | February 08, 2014 at 03:55 AM
Australian indeed! I would have loved to have seen the faces of the first Europeans to see Black Swans!
Sometimes, I wonder how we did survive childhood! But the truth is, even only 100 years ago (and we are not that old!) lots of kids did not!
Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne
Posted by: Stewart M | February 08, 2014 at 02:26 AM
Watch and being watched.
Enjoy and being enjoyed.
Posted by: Rainfield M Penang | February 07, 2014 at 11:52 PM