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Friday, May 1, 2026

Swan Love

 

I want to begin by thanking Gillena, whose blog is Lunch Break, for hosting Art Journal Journey in April. I had planned to play more, but time got in the way.  For a first time host, she did an excellent job and we will definitely be inviting her to host again next year.

We now introduce a new host as we do each month.  This month our host is one of the administrators of Art Journal Journey, my dear friend Mia who can be found at Craftartista.  Mia's theme for May is Birds

I call this Swan Love.  I love swans, especially black swans, but these are commemorated on a postage stamp issued in 1997 by the United Stages Postal Service (USPS).  A bit of asemic writing sits behind the word "Love," while the two birds form a heart.
 
Detail of the postage stamp is below.
 
Have you heard that swans mate for life?  There are six distinct types of swans:  Mute, Trumpeter, Tundra, Whooper, Bewick’s, and Australian black swans.  Most stay monogamous for life.  However according to Birdfact:  
Swans in general are known as monogamous birds, with different species all exhibiting loyal and faithful bonds with their chosen mate. However, despite the formation of lifelong bonds, divorce and promiscuity are observed in a small percentage of pairings each year. 

Some widowed swans die of a broken heart, while others look for a new mate.  The primary reason for divorce is the inability to conceive/reproduce.

According to A-Z Animals, female swans are known as pens and male swans are known as cobs. 

Please remember we welcome art journal pages that meet the theme requirements, altered book pages, canvases, loose, or stand alone pages including fabric and digital art.  I (and the administrators) cannot leave comments on Facebook, TicTok, or Instagram entries.  We do not allow cards!!!  Period! We also don't allow tags, index cards, ATCs, or ATCoins, unless they are part of a journal page, and as much as we don't want to, will be forced to delete your entry.  Please remember if your blog is not in English, we ask that you translate it for us since the translation tool doesn't work on some blogs, including mine.  Finally, we do not allow back-links to any journal page published prior to the start date of this month's challenge. Hope to see you and your Birds inspired art soon at Art Journal Journey.
 
Thank you beyond belief for visiting today. Bleubeard and I would love to see you at Art Journal Journey with your own interpretation of Birds.

  

8 comments:

  1. What a lovely swan page. And how interesting this information about swans. Yes, I knew they mate for life but I didn't know there was also divorce and promiscuity among them. Other monogamous birds are storks. Did you know?
    Great that you are able (again) to comment. Perhaps I shouldn't have said this, now I might have jinxed you....
    Have a lovely weekend,
    Lisca

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  2. The black swans hid from me entirely last time in Perth and area, so sad. And, now that you mention. I wouldn´t know where to find white ones in Braunschweig!

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  3. This is a great first page for May. I wonder, did you enlarge the postage stamps swans on a printer/computer and then use them. It makes a super page. I like it a lot. I hope you have a wonderful new month and that May is a good one for you. hugs my friend-Erika

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  4. I like swans ... that is a lovely page.
    Wishing you a happy and peaceful new month of May.

    All the best Jan

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  5. Wonder theme from Mia, your swan stamp shows a real love of Birds. Hope life has settled for you now, the weather can sure throw a curveball our way every now and then.
    Take care Hugs Tracey x

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  6. Beautiful! We have some swans at a local creek, and they're so graceful. Blessings!

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  7. What a beautiful page, Elizabeth. I love the swans and your asemic writing. Thank you for your entry in my challenge at AJJ. Hugs, my friend.

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  8. Hi Elizabeth, I really enjoyed reading your blog post about Swans! It’s fascinating how they seem to act like humans sometimes, when it comes to mating and sticking together. Your art journal page is absolutely beautiful. I especially love the stamp and learning about the "pen and cob." Happy May! Hugs, Sharon

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