I posted a shot of an adorable cygnet yesterday. I was in Pennsylvania. As usual, I struck up a conversation with a complete stranger. Come to find out, she works with the federal wildlife division. She gave me permission to come photograph the swans with their new babies. She told me that a neighbor next to them has quite a lot of land. He raises all types of game animals to release on his land. He then allows people, for a price, to hunt the "loaded" land. Five years ago, some "hunters" were on the lake on that property. The swans had new babies. The "hunters" chased the mother and ran over her with the boat several times. She , along with the male were attempting to protect the cygnets. Since then, the swans have moved to the lake where they stay now. No one seems to know where they came from. They told me that after the mother sits long enough for the cygnets to hatch, it takes her about 3-4 weeks to be able to walk. This is no doubt due to the injuries she received from the useless excuse for humans. The male is very attentive to her through the whole time. He takes several turns at sitting as well. After they hatch. he cares for them while also watching out for her. He feeds her and guards her very carefully while teaching his young what they need to know. Swans mate for life. His devotion is unconditional. His love is unconditional. He is as close as I have ever seen to being what a father should be, human or animal. My father was not in our lives very much. He is gone now. I watched this wonderful bird as I thought, how much better would we all be if we had a father like this?