They’re a fabulous sight when you see them in such numbers. A ‘ballet’ of swans, so Google tells me, though I think bevy is more common. But then, the Queen’s swans wouldn’t be common, would they? 🙂 🙂
The Monarch owns all unmarked mute swans in open water in the UK, but only exercises ownership on certain stretches and tributaries of the River Thames around Windsor. The annual Swan Upping on the Thames rounds up all the unmarked swans and marks them. The reason goes back centuries to when swans were a prized dish to be eaten so the monarch claimed them – as you would if you were a monarch! Only three other companies are allowed to own swans, these are Abbotsbury Swannery, the Vintners, and the Dyers – ownership dating from the 14th century. Their swans have a unique mark on their beaks denoting ownership: all unmarked swans are, by default, owned by the Queen.
MARI'S TRAVELS WITH HER CAMERA 
Thank you, I’m glad you liked the photograph. Blue skies would have made it better but we can’t always have these in the UK.
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Beautiful blog
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Quite a flotilla of birds. I’m always so taken with the header shot that all others pale in comparison. 🙂
janet
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There are always a lot of swans around the bridge here but I have a suspicion that they are fed tidbits from visitors to the Palace!
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I’m sure you’re right.
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They’re a fabulous sight when you see them in such numbers. A ‘ballet’ of swans, so Google tells me, though I think bevy is more common. But then, the Queen’s swans wouldn’t be common, would they? 🙂 🙂
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One shudders to think so!
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Wow! We usually see them in pairs, so that’s a LOT of swans!
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She’s got a lot of everything, let’s face it.
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Very true!
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The Monarch owns all unmarked mute swans in open water in the UK, but only exercises ownership on certain stretches and tributaries of the River Thames around Windsor. The annual Swan Upping on the Thames rounds up all the unmarked swans and marks them. The reason goes back centuries to when swans were a prized dish to be eaten so the monarch claimed them – as you would if you were a monarch! Only three other companies are allowed to own swans, these are Abbotsbury Swannery, the Vintners, and the Dyers – ownership dating from the 14th century. Their swans have a unique mark on their beaks denoting ownership: all unmarked swans are, by default, owned by the Queen.
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Does she have them everywhere or just in certain places?
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Yes, they most certainly do.
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Don’t they all look majestic
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