Mute Swan Displays~

Friday is the day that I most often treat my father-in-law to brunch. Yesterday we grabbed it to go from Starbucks, because, I had plans for us. His wife is buried at Cave Hill Cemetery and I like to take him by there often. Mute Swans, as well as various Raptors, mammals, and assorted ducks and geese live within the boundaries of these high reinforced brick walls. We made a quick purchase of a loaf of white bread too. Dad enjoys feeding his friends and I do as well. I ran into an acquaintance while I was taking photographs. He shared with me that one of the Mute Swans had a serious battle the day before. Evidently the larger male from the lake, made it's way with a smaller swan into the smaller pond area, where a female was already laying on eggs. Though I have never witnessed it, these aggressive territorial displays can last upwards to an hour. The swans will thrown each other around by using their strong, thick necks and push the opponents head down into the water and try to drown them...how horrible. He said that he and his partner had chased the intruding pair away. I am glad I missed that drama...however today, as my husby and I were going to once again, be in the area, I asked if we could go and take another look-see, and he obliged. There once again, the intruders had made their way to the smaller pond and the large male was doing his best to intimidate the male, whose mate stayed securely on her nest. We did not see any battles, but only stayed for round thirty minutes, when we had to depart. What I did witness and photograph though was the large intruder with his neck feathers all puffed out and his wings were all ruffed up big as well~