I set out that morning with a simple hope – to photograph some baby waterfowl. Ducklings, goslings, or if I was really lucky, baby swans (cygnets). I arrived in the early morning, knowing it’s not only a beautiful time to appreciate nature but also offers amazing lighting for photography.

My first observation was a swan family in the distance. They were too far for my lens to capture, but they seemed to be headed in my direction. I decided to sit down, look for other wildlife, and simply enjoy the fresh air while I waited.

Patience Rewarded

As I appreciated the beautiful weather, gorgeous lake, and sounds of birds all around me, I noticed the swan family continuing to head my way. Taking this as a sign, I stayed put.

I decided to lie down on the grass to avoid disturbing them. The family stopped about twenty feet in front of me, with the cygnets swimming between both parents. It was an incredibly sweet sight to witness, and I took quite a few shots as they moved around.

A Wish Manifested

I observed that the parents would separate briefly but then return to each other, bringing the family very close together again. A thought crossed my mind – wouldn’t it be wonderful if they formed the shape of a heart with their babies all around them?

Within five minutes, something even more magical happened. The cygnets actually swam between the parents who were facing each other, creating the perfect heart shape you see in the photo. If I could have jumped up and down and screamed with excitement I would have, but that would have scared them away. Instead, I just smiled, took many photos, and silently thanked them for this incredibly special experience.

The Uncertain Gift

I left the lake about half an hour later feeling both peaceful and thrilled. At that point, I didn’t know if I had actually captured the image I saw through my lens. There’s never a guarantee – camera settings could be off, lighting might not be ideal, or I could have forgotten to put a memory card in my camera (which I’ve done before!).

I left knowing that the experience itself might be the best gift I received that day.

The Reveal

Later that day, I finally had time to download my photos… and there it was – the Swan Family Heart, perfectly captured. I found myself thanking them again, both for the beautiful experience and for the photo that would help me remember this magical moment forever.