The Big Chill of 2010 appears to be over, and I am very pleased to announce that the swans are back in the Canal. 

Not quite ready for their close up. 

Ah, Jaysus, I hate the human-razzi. 

I never really bird-watched before I moved to Ireland. I suppose I took the thick bird life for granted while I was growing up on Florida’s Gulf Coast, where egrets stalk across the high way. Then, in New York and Osaka … well, if you’ve eaten one pigeon, you’ve eaten ‘em all. Birds seem different here in Dublin. Maybe I’m older now and finally enjoy the smell of roses but something about these Irish birds … especially the magpies. Especially the swans. Boy, I could just watch the swans all day

The embodiment of beauty, power, and grace. Welcome back, fellas.