Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Goosed By A Swan...!


When Mother Nature tells animals to do what comes natural, why is it a surprise to so many folks?

Springtime can be very eye-opening to some people that get way too close to nesting animals. Animals with young tend to be very protective, and if you don't believe it...just ask this young mother and her two young daughters!

I think the sign alone would be enough to give a heads up to most folks in the area, don't you?



EAST LONGMEADOW - A Springfield woman and her two young daughters suffered minor injuries late Tuesday morning when they were attacked by a pair of swans at Heritage Park.

The incident began about 11 a.m. when the woman and her 3-year-old twins walked to the shore of the park’s pond, Police Sgt. Patrick Manley said.

“The lady said that the swans came from across the pond to where they were and started attacking her children,” Manley said. “It appears they were drawn by the children, whether it was their size, their demeanor, their clothing, I don’t know.”


The woman, trying to protect her girls, stood in front of the swans and suffered two skin-puncturing bites, near her ribs, Manley said.

“She said she was frantically trying to protect her children from the swans and that they went right at the children,” Manley said.

One of the little girls suffered a black eye and a bruised knee and the other suffered a bruised shoulder and a scratch on her neck, Manley said.

The sergeant said he has heard anecdotal reports that the swans have been particularly aggressive this spring. “I would caution people to be careful,” he said. “They are wild animals.”

Manley theorized that the swans may be nesting, and therefore, especially territorial this time of year.

There are signs posted at the park that prohibit the feeding of wildlife there, Manly said, adding that he did not know if the women and her children had doing so in this case.



Sort of looks like nature is kicking our butts on so many levels lately! I personally feel that a war against nature is one that we can never win...or break even in, know what I mean?

Fresh coffee on the patio before it get's too hot! Keep an eye out for those pesky dive bombing mockingbirds, OK?

11 comments:

Sixbears said...

They can be nasty. They chased a buddy of mine away when he was in his kayak.

Anonymous said...

One of my coworkers had a pair of pet geese with an attitude problem too, they were pretty aggresive and when running at you, hissing like a snake, were pretty intimidating. Made for decent watchdogs, they made a racket if any headlights or cars turned into the driveway.

JoJo said...

Swan's are nasty all the time but even more so when nesting. What a shame they are so beautiful when they are in their calm mode and just swimming around.
Have a good day my Special One.

HermitJim said...

Hey Sixbears...
I think that probably they consider most things a threat when nesting!

With him in the kayak, they were probably bigger than he was! Pretty scary!

Thanks for the visit today!


Hey Anon 7:44...
Wonder why we are quick to back off when attacked by swans or geese? Probably because it surprises us.

Geese can startle you, for sure! And noisy!Boy!

Thanks for coming by today!


Hey JoJo...
Pretty to watch when swimming, but don't mess with one!

Heck, that sounds like a lot of women I've known!

Thanks, sweetie, for coming by today!

Anonymous said...

Swans are truly nasty when they attack :-) They not only bite they hit with their wings too :-) :-)

People tend to forget that they are wild only because they are so easy to feed during winter.

Have a great day now!
Christer.

HermitJim said...

Hey Christer...
Like most things in nature, best to just stay out of their way, especially when they are nesting!

Thanks for coming by today!

Bob Mc said...

Normally tame or gentle critters can be down right aggressive and/or protective when they have young. I have a mama hen with chicks right now. The dogs learn to leave them alone real quick!

HermitJim said...

Hey Bob...
Nothing like a mad momma hen to get the dogs attention!

Ain't nature grand?

Thanks, Bob, for coming by today!

BigBadSis@gmail.com said...

They could be nesting or they are angry because the free food stopped coming. If my meals were being handed to me and quit suddenly, I would be upset...especially at dinnertime!

Stephanie in AR said...

Saw that sign and thought you were warning us that nephew was having a day. :)

HermitJim said...

Hey Sis...
Having the food cut off can be disturbing, for sure!

Wouldn't want it to happen to me!

Thanks for coming by today!


Hey Stephanie...
I don't from the nephew these days. Pretty caught up in the family thing, I reckon!

You know how it is when there's a new baby in the house!

I really appreciate you dropping by today!