Blackbird vs. Swan Family, Bartlett Pond, Manomet, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

The resident swan family is out and about, seemingly enjoying the sunshine following the recent heavy rain.  So far, five of the original six cygnets remain alive. But the red-winged blackbird sitting on the kayak is not happy at their approach since he is guarding a nest nearby.

Both birds squawked in their respective languages at each other as the blackbird made his repeated diving attacks on the daddy swan. How do I know  it is the daddy? Supposedly, the male has a bigger knob on his bill than does the female - it is truly, all about size........

They sought refuge between the two docks, surprisingly close to me. They didn't stay very long, though. I think the raucous cries and dives of the blackbird got the message across - "Go Away."

Here, on one of his last diving attacks, the blackbird demonstrates the classic flight maneuver known to pilots everywhere whatever your species: the touch-and-go.

And it ends with the swan family paddling away. Seems to me that both sides won - the adult swans got to escort their kiddies to eat some fresh spring growth along the marsh edge, and the blackbird got the swan family away from his nest rather quickly.  All it took was some loud squawking to accomplish the goal with neither bloodshed nor overt physical violence. Sounds like there is a lesson there..........

Caveat: my apologies for the harshly lit, overblown photos. These are questionable even for a point-and-shoot camera but - they still tell the story.

Betty, you should have been here today with your fine camera gear.......