By mid-May we knew we had a serious problem with Mr. Big. Outdoors, we had to carry 7 foot
poles with us everywhere we went for protection. He had already injured me
by slamming my legs with his powerful wings – and he was attacking everything in sight.

One day he repeatedly hurled himself at my parked car while I was dropping off his feed
at the food stand. Another time he marched right up to the house and thrust his head
through the swinging cat door and hissed at me while I was working in my studio!

He was convinced he ruled the roost. We were hoping that as soon as the babies
were hatched, he would calm down.