Fluffy Treats on an Urban Trail

There are so many things to show you from both of the hikes this year, I hardly know where to start. There is a brief overview of the recent one at Treasures North of THE Bridge. But I've been driven to cuteness by Ratty's post Chased by Raccoons

This 45-mile hike began just north of the Mackinac Bridge, in St. Ignace, Michigan. The first two miles wind through town, including a lovely waterfront boardwalk with interpretive signs, flowers, shrubs, and easy access to restaurants and shops. Of course, St. Ignace is known as a place to catch a ferry to Mackinac Island, a high-end tourist destination. Walking along, I spotted this pair of swans framed by lovely red-osier dogwood.



As I got closer, I discovered that it was an entire family of swans!



The baby swans, cygnets, seemed to be staying near the rocky edge below the boardwalk. I liked how the neutral tone of the water color made the babies show up very clearly.



They were learning how to dabble for small bits of food. They weren't good at ducking their heads down to the bottom yet, but they were using those little beaks with purpose to snatch snacks off the rocks that were in front of them!



Finally, I just like this closeup. Such concentration!



See Feeling Overwhelmed - O Deer! for another baby animal
See Memory of a Special Earth Day for even more babies!