Black-necked Swan

These elegant swans were captured on Swan Lake (Nusantara Flower Park, Cipanas, West Java, Indonesia). As their names, this swan has a unique black neck. It has a red knob near the base of the bill and white stripe behind eye. The sexes are similar, with the female slightly smaller. The cygnet has a light grey plumage with black bill and feet.

The Black-necked Swan, like its nearest relatives the Black and Mute Swan is relatively silent. Also, unlike most wildfowl, both parents regularly carry the cygnets on their backs. The female lays four to six eggs in a nest of vegetation mound. The diet consists mainly of vegetation, insects and fish spawn.

Black-necked swans spend almost all of their time in water. They actually have trouble walking on land, because their legs are set so far back on their body (to help in swimming).

A male and female swan usually mate for life, but will find a new partner if one should die.


Data source: stlzoo.org

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Resolving Marital Issues? How to Keep Your Kids from Getting Involved

Every marriage has its fair share of problems. Even the most perfect unions have their moments of marital strife. Whether your marriage is suffering from the usual small quibbles, or your marriage is in some serious trouble, it's best to keep your kids out of the arguments. After all, mom and dad represent, for young kids especially, authorities and guardians who are "perfect" in the sense that they know best. Although it's certainly not true that parents are perfect, keeping this image intact is an important part of a young child's developmental processes.

Here are a few tips for keeping your kids away from your marital arguments.

1. Never have an argument in front of the kids.Arguments, if you must have them, should occur when kids are away. Remember that parents are the basic model of behavior that young children emulate. If you are having a civil discussion with your spouse about something, then it is, of course, important for you children to see that this is how problems are best resolved. But if you must have a shouting match with your spouse, do it behind closed doors.

2. Don't talk about your partner in a disparaging way behind his or her back.When you are having problems with your spouse, it may be tempting to talk behind your spouse's back in front of, or even to, the kids. This is a terrible thing to do because it teaches your child that gossip and back-biting is an acceptable behavior. It also degrades the status of your spouse as your child's mother or father. Kids need models for both mothers and fathers. Creating a bad image of one will only serve to tear down these effective models.

3. Emphasize to your kids that no matter what happens, both you and your spouse will always love them.It's important for your children to understand that despite struggles within a family, both mom and dad will always love them. Whenever a marriage is suffering, kids tend to internalize the problems, and many falsely belief that these problems are their fault. Don't let your children fall victim to these false impressions; tell your kids you love them often.

4. Never have your kids serve as messengers.There will inevitably be times when you and your spouse will have an argument, and you don't want to talk to each other for a little while. The worst thing you can do, however, is to heighten the tension between you and your spouse by having your children serve as messengers. By saying things like "Go tell Daddy X" or "go ask your mom", you only make the tensions between you more apparent to your kids. If you have something to say to your spouse, tell them yourself; don't put your children in the middle.

Of course, keeping marital problems away from your kids is a lot easier said than done. But before you let your temper run away with you, remember that the relationship between you and your partner is the basis for which your children will learn how to interact with other people.
By-line:
This guest post is contributed by Kitty Holman, who writes on the topics of nursing colleges. She welcomes your comments at her email Id: kitty.holman20@gmail.com.

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Watery Challenge : Red Rose & Heart Shape

Ooops…I forget to finish the challenge. I’m supposed to make a watery post that relates with red rose, heart shape and water. Though I’ve no preparation before, I don’t want to miss the challenge. Since there’s no real and fresh red roses here, I only use fabric ones. I hope the touch of water effect can beautify these images.
My entry for Watery Wednesday

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They Got Fish This Time!

As I said last week, we went fishing again yesterday. I guess zero fish on the last fishing makes my hubby and father curious. Reached the place at 1 pm, I ordered our lunch soon and my hubby rented two fishing tools.

The first two hours, still no result. I saw a boy there that can get fish several times in a row. Wow! Is fishing only related to luck? I don’t think so, besides luck, I think fishing also needs skill, related knowledge, good fishing tools and proper fish bait, right?

Later, while I was taking pictures a pigeon, I heard my hubby’s scream (we sat at different spots that time). Waaa…he got his first fish! He looked so happy, hehehe. A few minutes after this first moment, it came my father’s turn. Before we left the fishing place at 5 pm, my hubby caught another two fish. Not bad for a beginner. I was glad they offer fish cleaning service, as I don’t like doing it. So, today’s menu is all fish!

I also link this post to Blue Monday, it’s my first time joining this photo meme.

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A Black and Yellow Spider

I saw this spider accidentally. My husband and my father were fishing at that time, and I started to feel bored. Wandering around the fishing area, I saw this little guy on the fence.

I’m afraid of spider, but the fear isn’t as big as my fear to cockroach. As long as the spider is unmoved, I still can take pictures. But I must hold my breath for seconds, to ease my shaking hands, hehehe. This spider is a pretty one, right? Look at its abdomen!

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CC: When He Told Me He Loves Me

Actually, while we’re still BF and GF, the love word is never conveyed. He expressed his feeling with another words, such as, “I want to know you more”, “I want to have a serious relationship with you”, “I want to have my future with you”, “I really care about you”, “You’re so special for me”….

I remember the time he said such those words to me. It was his birthday, July 2th, 2001. We celebrated his birthday at a restaurant that time. Later, he said that he felt sympathy to me and asked me to make the relationship to be more serious ahead. I accepted his offer. Our love story didn’t go well at first; since it’s hard to get my father’s blessing. On January 2002, we started to prepare our wedding!

Though he never said the love word, I knew that he really loved me, I can feel it. But after we become husband and wife, my hubby mentions the love words very often, he says “I love you” to me several times every day, hehehe…. It surprises me in the beginning, but now it has been become one of our sweet habits.

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Swan Lake

The lake is located inside Nusantara Flower Park (Cipanas, West Java, Indonesia). The big beautiful princess sculpture will welcome you there. It’s not only the princess will attract your attention, but also various swans and fish that live there. The birds live in a small ‘island’, in the middle of the lake.

Several benches are located along the side of the lake. You can sit and enjoy the swimming swans. Fish food is also sold there; you may feed the fish. If you throw the fish food onto the lake, lots of fish will near you immediately. Awesome!

My entry for Watery Wednesday

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