Swans and Doughnuts

Reader Contribution by Sue Van Slooten
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Don’t think I’ve given up on recipes, I promise, we’ll have more on the way. It’s just that’s there so much to write about! In this outing, though, I have inadvertently created an experiment with industrial food — all  to please some somewhat fussy swans. Swans, you say. Yes. The big-white-bird-that-swims variety.

We live on a lake with a current (I know, that’s not supposed to happen in nature). It’s part of the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Sight. Part of the heritage includes the Queen’s swans, descendants of a few pair given by the Queen many years ago. As I found out, these are discriminating birds of good taste, at least the ones here.

These birds having been stopping by for a handout now for a few years. The first time I saw them, I couldn’t believe it. I gingerly approached them with bread (their preference), knowing what they could do if you displeased them. This is one species of bomber class birds, and they can hurt you if they want to. Of the two that visit, one is more outgoing than the other, he (I think) preferring to be hand fed, while the other is more reticent. Now that we’re used to each other, they come 3-4 times a summer for a visit. And food. But not just any food.

Last year during one of their visits, I didn’t have bread (I haven’t a chance to test if whole grain is preferred over white), so I ran out there with plain doughnuts. Woe to me! They refused to eat them. Interesting, I thought.

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