Swan catching

One of the new things life in TN has brought has been the ownership of three swans. Real swans. There were supposed to be four, however, one was killed by cows. I am feeling quite redneck right now! The swans were brought to us in exchange for a gun that Ashley's dad gave the owner of the swans. You just never know around here.

West TN is currently experiencing that coldest winter in the last 21 years. What great timing for us!! :) Our pond has been frozen over for the past week. Jonathan has loved this and has found such joy in sliding on the ice and making holes in it with all kinds of objects. The pond really has been pretty; even had a layer of snow on it one morning. The frozen state, however, has not been nice for the ducks and swans. The one lone swan (apparently they mate for life and the other pair are not overly friendly with him) has had to be rescued several times. One day Ashley scooted the boat across the ice to unstick the poor swan from the ice. It really was quite a hilarious scene, with slipping and me rescuing a stranded and stuck Ashley by pulling the boat across the frozen ice. Jonathan loved every minute of it!

Well, Sunday we learned our lone swan had ventured down to the neighbors pond. Ashley and Jonathan went to find him and then came back to get me. We got the 4-wheeler and a HUGE fishing net. Ashley then chased the swan and tackled him with the net. Another hilarious scene! We decided later we need to get better about having the camera with us and maybe we could win on Funniest Home Videos. Knowing Ashley other potential winning moments will still come!! The swan made the craziest noises, hissing and sounds like a lawn mower starting. He was able to grab the swan in a way of being safe from the really long neck and strong beak. He then sat on the back of the 4-wheeler and I drove slowly back home with the big net hanging off the side and Jonathan cold and happy sitting with me. Ashley said it peed on him on the way back. We kept it in an old chicken house over night and then released it the next day. I imagine there will be more swan adventures to come.