Tough to kill - filial infanticide continued — David Taylor - Master Jeweller

26th October 2026

Dad Swan trying to push Kaoru off the billabong.

Like I have done for months now, Sunday I headed out to the billabong where the 6 Black Swan cygnets were hatched in late July, early August. Rather than set up camp I headed straight over to Kaoru, the now shunned 6th cygnet.

Kaoru was feeding on the billabong when I arrived but Dad starting pushing Kaoru to the edge soon after. When I walked over to sit with Kaoru, Dad backed off.

Kaoru getting comfortable with me again.

Kaoru soon realised that I was no harm again and also that Dad was retreating with me there. It was safe to go out onto the billabong and feed.

Away from the edge Kaoru was able to get a proper feed so I walked off to set up my tent as rain was coming.

I was set up in minutes and fortunately for me it was just minutes. The rain started so I retreated to inside the tent to read my book.

Dad attacks Kaoru whilst I am in the tent.

The rain was just starting to stop when I heard a disturbance on the billabong. I grabbed my camera and as I left the tent I could see Dad attacking Kaoru.

One of the other locals seeing what all the noise was about!

I sat with Kaoru again and of course Dad retreated. Soon the sun was out and so were some more locals. We were heading into a beautiful sunset, the beauty after the storm.

I brought my book to the edge of the billabong and there I sat and read until dark. Kaoru could feed in peace as long as I was there.

With darkness approaching Dad’s desire to push Kaoru off the billabong seemed to be getting stronger. He would constantly try to sneak up, retreating only when I stood up from reading my book.

The other 5 cygnets joining Dad…..right near Kaoru.

Usually the male adult harasses Kaoru off the water whilst the other 5 cygnets feed with the female off in the distance. The other cygnets never seem to get close to Kaoru.

This was the first day that I decided to stay with Kaoru until dark to allow for the longest feeding time. Just before darkness the 5 other cygnets swam over to Dad who was still trying to attack Kaoru. They were just metres away from Kaoru, seemed fearless of me and curious about Kaoru.

By the time darkness had arrived they had all swum away but I knew that an adult bird would return to drive Kaoru from the billabong once I was gone. It was time for me to return to the tent and try and start a fire.

A welcome surprise in the morning.

Every morning at this campsite a group of about 10 Australian Ravens surround my tent and make a hell of a noise. I am always up early!

As I left my tent the Ravens dispersed and the view of the billabong was stunning. The water was calm and sunrise was reflecting on the surface.

For the previous two visits I have been unable to locate Kaoru in the mornings before I returned home. The welcome surprise on this morning was that Kaoru was out on the Billabong feeding.

Pale-headed Rosella feeding in front of my tent at sunrise.

I grabbed my camera and book and headed over to sit with Kaoru as I was sure Dad would soon arrive to drive Kaoru from the billabong.

As I set up my mat to sit down on, I looked back at the tent hoping the sun would soon hit to dry it out ready to pack up. I could see a group of Pale-headed Rosella feeding in front of it. A truly magic spot.

It was not long before Dad did indeed head over to try and drive Kaoru from the billabong. Dad and I played the you approach, I stand, you retreat game for hours. I had a book to finish and Kaoru was hungry.

The sun was starting to hit my tent and dry everything out. I had 30 pages left of my book and once those were done it was time for me to head back to Cairns.

As I packed up camp the sun was now high in the sky and all the Swans were taking a little sleep off the water. When I was ready to leave I headed over to Kaoru to say goodbye. I would soon be riding over Mt Misery on the way home leaving Kaoru to live in misery. I hope I get to see Kaoru next week!