As we paddled past Old Town, we spotted a flock of swans on the far side of the river. I made my way towards the two bright white adults and the several gray younger swans (flappers or cygnets). As I approached, a single adult broke from the main group and came out to meet me. I was able to get within 15 feet and take a couple great photos. Then I began to realize he wasn't just 'coming out to meet me', he was protecting his flock. (assuming it was the father) We then entered into a series of him racing out in front of me, flanking me, me swirling around to keep my eyes on him, and at times having to stick my paddle out to keep him a distance away and not strike at me. Jihye came towards us and he seemed to be cutting us off and heading towards her to have a strike. I raced back and put myself between them and again had to use my paddle to keep it back from us. I could have hit the damn thing on its head it got so close to us. By this point, people on the shore were watching and being amused at the swan vs. two kayakers main event taking place in the river. This actually kept up for a while and certainly woke me up out of any reverie I had slipped into. I don't know if it is true or not, but the swan seemed to be spreading his wings to appear larger, and had his head set deep into his chest waiting to strike out at us. With as low on the water as the kayaks were, he could have gotten a pretty damn good shot at either of us. Finally we got far enough away, several hundred meters down river, and he turned off of us and returned to the flock. I love nature...but seriously swans, I just wanted a good photo for my damn travel blog. Chill out!
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