Chapter 643: The Swan's Flight

After viewing the Oriental White Storks, they wandered around Waterfowl Lake!

The lake's water was crystal clear, resembling a sparkling green gem. Under the bright sunlight, it emitted an inviting glow, making one feel a desire to get closer.

Around the lake, many willow trees stood, their slender branches swaying and their lush green leaves dancing as if performing a graceful ballet.

Many visitors strolled leisurely along the lakeshore or sat on benches, enjoying the beautiful scenery.

Of course, the most dedicated were the old photographers, who had staked out their spots under the shade, with their long lenses and cameras clicking away whenever something interesting happened. The sound of shutters clicking was a unique sight by the lake.

A black swan swam leisurely in the water, occasionally paddling with its feet.

A small, gray cygnet, seemingly lagging behind due to playfulness, chirped softly and paddled vigorously, its body bobbing up and down, creating ripples as it finally caught up with the black swan.

The little one was about a month old!

It looked a bit plumper than a newborn fluff ball and was much more active.

As long as the parent didn't swim too fast, it was easy for the cygnet to catch up.

A curious viewer asked, "This little cygnet looks so lonely. Why is it alone? Where are its siblings?"

"Last time I visited the zoo, I heard from a keeper that when black swan families meet, the kids might mix up and follow the wrong parents! One family ends up with too many kids, and the other with too few."

"Really? That's hilarious!"

"But wait, is this a single-parent family? There's only one parent. Where's the other? Aren't swans supposed to be very faithful?"

"Did the other parent die?"

Fang Ye explained, "This cygnet isn't its own; it was adopted! This swan was single and fought a pair of black swans, took over their territory, and the black swan couple fled, abandoning this cygnet. So, the cygnet started following it."

"Wow!"

"Goodness, it's a step-parent!"

"But you can't tell; they seem very close!"

The cygnet snuggled up to the black swan, following it everywhere. Occasionally, it flapped its wings and kicked its legs, splashing water, looking very comfortable and not at all coerced.

The black swan seemed to treat the cygnet well, not showing any disdain or aggression despite it not being its own.

The two swans, one large and one small, swam leisurely in the lake. Around a bend in the reeds, they encountered another lone swan, this one with four cygnets.

The single-parent swan with one cygnet proudly held its head high, looking straight ahead, calm and composed. The other swan, with four cygnets, turned its neck to glance at it, giving a nod as if greeting.

Then it turned its neck the other way and continued swimming forward with its children.

The little cygnet looked at the four cygnets on the other side, seeming to wonder why it was the only one in its family.

Turning back, it saw its parent had swum ahead and hurriedly paddled to catch up.

"What's the story with this one?"

Fang Ye explained, "This one is a tragic swan. It used to live happily with its mate until a neighbor, Old Wang, took a fancy to its mate, fought it, and drove it away. The female swan followed Old Wang.

The two swans split up, Old Wang drove the kids away, planning to have another brood with the female swan. The cygnets all followed their dad.

From a distance, you might not see clearly, but up close, you'll notice its wings are a bit ragged. Some feathers were plucked during the fight."

The viewers were shocked, feeling like this could be the plot of a melodramatic novel!

Something like a rich heir wooing a beautiful wife, a downtrodden husband being kicked out, and a super-dad raising four kids alone...

"Oh my, that's so melodramatic!"

"So, not all swans are faithful!"

"Swans are relatively faithful, but their divorce rate is low. However, stronger swans bullying weaker ones can't be helped."

"Why not pair it with the other single swan? Wouldn't that be great?"

"Both are male swans! But for swans, same-sex pairs aren't unusual."

"Can swans breed in the summer?"

Fang Ye explained, "For large swans, the breeding season is usually in May and June. Black swans can breed all year round, but in high summer temperatures, the eggs might spoil, leading to hatching failures."

"The director is amazing, knowing all about the swans at Waterfowl Lake."

Fang Ye laughed, "I don't know about all the swans, just those with more noticeable characteristics.

The real experts are the old photographers who come here every day. They even name the swans.

They know which swan has fallen out of love, which cygnet follows which adult, which family is out for a walk today, and where they like to play. They know more than the keepers. I learned these stories from chatting with them."

Seeing an old man turn and wave at him, Fang Ye nodded and smiled in response.

The single dad swan swam a bit ahead, looked back at the lagging cygnets, and swam back.

It curved its neck, then stretched it out, repeating the motion, and let out a melodious call: "Oh~ oh~"

The cygnets imitated, lifting their short necks, trying to stretch them like adults, looking rather amusing.

Seeing the cygnets follow, the dad swan suddenly flapped its wings and paddled vigorously, its white feathers slapping the water, creating loud splashes and noticeable ripples.

Black swans appear entirely black, but the outer feathers of their wings are actually white, hidden beneath the black feathers, like a white shirt under a black suit, only visible when they spread their wings.

Stretching its neck and placing its feet behind, it flew a short distance just above the water.

Soon, it glided with its wings extended, feet tucked in, and landed gently.

"Swoosh—"

Its feet skimmed the water, creating a beautiful white splash, accompanied by the sound of breaking waves, blurring the reflections of reeds in the green water.

Then it leaned back, folded its wings inward, and returned to its majestic black form.

"Wow, swans flying look so cool, like they're surfing!"

"I never knew black swans had white feathers under their wings. This is my first time seeing it!"