Mute Swan

FUDGEY · #1 (**permalink**) 13-02-2011, 07:07 AM

My 3 year old son is braver than me

Littlesparrow · #2 (**permalink**) 13-02-2011, 07:09 AM

Hope he didn't get a pecked nose, lovely photo Fudgey.

healfdan · #3 (**permalink**) 13-02-2011, 04:52 PM

Nice one for the family album but next time weigh up the risks. Swans that are fed regularly may seem friendly but they can be unpredictable. I have seen swans and geese that are regularly hand fed giving people a rough time when there is no food on offer. Your lad was lucky, but the next toddler who sticks his or her head a bit too close might finish up with a hefty peck on the face.

FUDGEY · #4 (**permalink**) 13-02-2011, 05:47 PM

Healfdan, please dont take this the wrong way, but I am one of these people who doesnt like the way things seem to have changed in the last few years. As you rightly say a hefty peck is a possibility, but its small risks like this for some fun that is all part of growing up to me. My lad was over the moon after he done this yesterday and he came home and told everyone he met about it. When I was a kid, I climbed trees regularly, I fell off a few times and got cuts and bruises, but the small risks were well worth the pain that sometimes came with it. I think many of us have lost our way being over protective towards our children, but I wont and Ill bring my son up in much the same way I was and I am sure the smal risks he takes will be well worth it with the fun it brings him. I hope you see where I am coming from mate.

healfdan · #5 (**permalink**) 13-02-2011, 06:11 PM

Fudgey
You are right to say that kids should not be kept in cotton wool and I accept that risks are all part of growing up. I also share your view that some H&S rulings have gone a bit too far and that common sense should prevail but sadly sometimes it doesn't.
Sorry if I offended you but my remarks are based on my experiences gained over many years of seeing happy family days out that ended on a sad note.

FUDGEY · #6 (**permalink**) 13-02-2011, 06:24 PM

No offence taken mate, we are all different and if peoples views differ from mine then that is entirely up to them. It was good of you to point out in the first place, thanks.

Jim Ford · #7 (**permalink**) 13-02-2011, 06:29 PM

Swan 'pecks' are pretty feeble. I had an aggressive cob standing guard on a bridge do his best to chew my finger off, with no effect. As swans only feed on soft stuff, their beaks and associated muscles are quite weak.

Jim

healfdan · #8 (**permalink**) 13-02-2011, 06:42 PM

Well Jim at the risk of becoming boring, be it a weak peck, a moderate stab or an aggressive attack, it is still frightening for many an unsuspecting victim. As Fudgey said, we are all entitled to our views.