swans on the bay

there's a flock of swans

across the bay

sixteen of them

bright white

against the charcoal water

we stand at the window

watching

through binoculars

their long necks stretch

heads wave

as they float

clustered together

surrounded by seagulls

it's the first time we've seen

more than two swans

on the inlet

a whole flock 

-- do you think they're on 

their migration north?

-- they must be

a whole flock

sixteen

-- wow

--that's a lot

the flock lifts and turns north

- there they go

-- they're on their way

they lift

higher

silhouetted against the mountain

they turn

-- looks like they're making a V

-- there they go!

and the they sift

and head back 

towards the cove

mirrored against the still water

they land again

we watch for awhile

then get busy

making toast

pouring coffee

a dash of white

catches my eye as

the flock lifts again

and heads north

we watch

until they're out of sight

and then

they are gone.

23-03-2009