Hello,
I would like to know if I may be witnessing a divorce in progress...A young male, approx 2 years old, comes to my dock each morning for breakfast. Within an hour, a female (Bella) arrives, and they do the love dance. Within 30 minutes, Bella's mate comes and chases the young male away. Later in the day, my young male comes back with Bella until her mate arrives and chases the young guy away again. And sometimes I will see Bella and the older male by themselves, also doing the love dance. Bella is a two-timer!!
A few days ago, the older male caught the younger male, and I thought there would be a drowning. Bella, I honestly believe, put her body in position during the fight that the young male was able to rest his neck on her back during the flurry so that he didn't drown. There is no question in my mind that if the older male had wanted, he could have drowned the younger one. After sitting on him for at least three minutes in the water but not pushing his neck under (after the true fight), the older male just let him go. It also appears as though the younger male is practicing "the chase," as he goes up and down the cove as in pursuit when there are no other birds around. I'm wondering if he is readying himself to fight for Bella. Am I just humanizing this scenario, or does this make sense in the swan world?
Thanks, Pat