The Swan Pond

2013 is the year that the town of Voorburg / Leidschendam wants to give extra attention to the mansion called 'Hofwijck' - or Vitaulium / Garden of Life in Latin.
It was built for our famous 17th century politician / writer Constantijn Huygens and was inaugurated in 1642.
Later his son - a famous Dutch scientist / astronomer - Christian Huygens lived here.
The mansion and estate gardens plans are completely symmetrical as fitted the style of that era. The mansion is also located in the middle of a square swan pond (Google earth). Nice to mention is that Huygens was granted Royal permission to keep swans.
Maybe it's royal heritage is the reason why this swan posed so perfectly with his / her neck as extension of the plastered windows.

The color version is here. Not afraid of swans? Just hit the 'L' key!