Our magnificent pair of swans has returned for a second season to a nearby wetland.  This is their second brood hatched near our backyard here in western Minnesota.  They appear to have four little gray-fluffs floating along with Mom and Dad.
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Predation seems to take its toll on the young swans.  We hope at least a couple will make it to  flight-size and hopefully we will see the whole family flying together by fall.

​     A couple of weeks after the prairie fire, the change is incredible.  From the black ashes left by the burn we now have a green carpet of native grasses and forbes.  Deer come early from their cover to graze on the new tender plants.  Insects return to the prairie and life abounds after the fire.