People Have Fallen in Love With Mother Swan Carrying Her Babies Across a Pond

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Is there any more delicate creature on earth than the graceful swan? They’re such beautiful birds and they’re also famously loving with their young. A photo has gone viral after someone captured a mama swan carrying her babies across a pond. Apparently, there comes a moment on family outings when every little one just can’t keep going and want to be carried by a parent the rest of the trip. That seems to be just as true for tiny cygnets and this heartwarming photo was captured by a man named Richard Meston when he and his family visited Bicton Park Botanical Gardens recently.

The park is located near Sidmouth, Devon, and the father of three, who is from Bournemouth, said that the little swans were splashing around in the water near their mother but they started to look as if they were becoming tired. One by one, the little swans crawled onto their mom’s back as Richard stood there and watched in awe. The mom didn’t mind one bit and in Richard’s words, even gave them a “nudge up.” Richard went on to add that once the babies were settled in, the mama swan covered them up with her wings as protectively as you would expect. It was like a cushion.

Then, she went on about her way. There were six babies in all and the mother had no trouble accomodating them. Richard said that the mother swan seemed concerned about losing them because she kept looking back to make sure all of the babies were still on board. She seemed to be giving them a piece of her mind to keep them in line, he said humorously. Richard said he imagined them as kids in the back seat of the car asking “Are we nearly there yet?”

A video of a papa swan went viral recently when he was discovered taking care of the small offspring when his mate died.

Julia Newth, a representative from the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust in nearby Slimbridge, Gloucestershire, said that these swans are “very protective” of their offspring and will defend them vigorously from any perceived threats.