Swans are known for being aggressive towards their own kind, other birds and also us humans. In fact, one in England, a ‘mute swan’, once bit me in my – ahem – “you know what” area and wouldn’t let go. Ouch!! Glad no one got a photo!!

I have a new scratchboard out of an Australian Black Swan coming right up to the viewer. It certainly looks like the viewer should beat a hasty retreat, but in reality, this was a very inquisitive and tame swan just checking my camera out. In fact, black swans are reputed to be even more agressive than mute swans and escaped ones in England are breeding and ousting mute swans from some areas. This one was on the banks of the River Torrens in Adelaide so at least it was where it should be. It and all the ones around were quite tame.