Canada geese attack in packs. If you're eating a sandwich on a park bench, and they decide they want the bread now, you damn well better run like a little girl.
You describe the carving process as a bit difficult. Some pics would be nice. (Though I can understand that would be difficult with the slippery hands and all. You got a tripod and remote shutter yet? Put the remote in a Ziploc bag and go to town.)
I'd put the background back in the shot of the two swan heads. With that tight crop, they look like CG.