From the observation deck:

There were many swans on the water. Many more than we'd ever seen in one place. I dug and dug in my brain and tried to remember the name for a group of swans - I came up with a "bugle" of swans. Alexis said it was a "thwack."

"No it's not."

"You haven't been as close to swans as I have...it's definately a 'thwack.'"

When we arrived home, I looked it up immediately - and came across a full listing of bird group names. We all know that it's a murder of crows, right? And a gaggle of geese (on the water), an exaltation of larks, an ostentation of peacocks. Well, it's a whiteness of swans, on the water, and a wedge of swans in the air.

Also:
a charm of finches
a kettle of nighthawks
a paddling of ducks
a pitying of turtle doves
a siege of bitterns
an unkindness of ravens

Still on the deck, overlooking the whiteness, I asked Alexis:

"What would a bunch of me be called?"

"An abomination of Shanas."

Beat...

"That's the worst thing you've ever said."

"Well, that's the dumbest question you've ever asked."

**********

After the laughter died down from this exchange - Alexis offered the option of a "Truce" of Shanas. I thought this was some conciliatory attempt, but she insists it would be so named to inspire the group of Shanas (which would always be fighting) to co-exist peaceably.

My mother offers other possiblities:

A serenity of Shanas
A serendipity of Shanas
A splendor of Shanas
A showboat of Shanas
A shoo-in of Shanas
A shambala of Shanas (I may like this one best – shambala is a mystical kingdom somewhere beyond)
A certainty of Shanas (I like this one too)

I love my mother...