After last summer saw months of drama in the lagoon at the Palace of Fine Arts, we were beginning to wonder if the game of swans in the Marina would ever rebuild their majestic little family unit. Now that it's Spring and tiny versions of local wildlife are being spotted all over town, we learn that Blue Boy and Blanche, the two remaining adult swans at the Palace, recently hatched their own brood of six downy little cygnets.
The fluffy little newborns apparently hatched a few weeks ago on the 17th or 18th of this month. While we don't have names for them yet, a Rec and Parks representative told us today that all six of them are doing very well and appear very healthy. In total, five of them are white-footed swans like their mother and the sixth is the ugly duckling with black feet, but we're sure that one will grow up to be gorgeous anyway.
Gayle Hagerty, a volunteer swan caretaker, said she and the neighbors "are hoping the cygnets will begin playing a game of 'cygnet tag' on the water in about a month." We had no idea cygnets played tag, but we're glad a few lucky birdwatchers and photographers down at the lagoon managed to catch them out exploring the waters around their new home already.
Rec and Parks GM Phil Ginsburg also offered his well wishes for the happy couple, saying: “We’re thrilled to see mom and dad doing so well with their six new babies. Their arrival is just another reason to love the Palace of Fine Arts.”
Previously: Look At These Adorable Coyote Puppies In Golden Gate Park Right This Instant
All swan coverage on SFist