making a splash

There was plenty of action on the river today. A pair of swans gracefully flew in unaware they were landing near the nest of the resident swans. It didn't take long before all hell let loose. If you ever needed proof that swans can be very aggressive and viscious it was there to see. I have put up 4 photos in sequence. Look carefully at the main photo then the 1st extra and it is noticeable that the original attacker (with the white head) became the  one being attacked and was not let go ultimately being held under water for long periods. I stopped taking photos when the white head was driven to the bank , cornered and mercilessy pecked and drowned. Together with a photographer friend we shouted a nearby council worker to bring a large stick he had on his wagon. He did and he climbed down the bank and hit away the aggressor, using the stick to stop his attempts to come back. The white head swan was alive, just, but motionless with head rested on the bank.

I had to leave for work but stayed in touch with friend who called the RSPBA after a couple of hours. All seemed to turn out well as the swan recovered enough to move away from the bank.

As elegant as swans look , nature is always the survival of the fittest.