Saw something funny on the river today ...

[chenrezig]

I was on the bus on the way home and we were stuck at the traffic lights near the railway station. I saw a swan flapping its way along the river under the bridge.. then two geese caught my eye ..

The two geese were flying and flapping hard along the river towards the bridge, then I realised one was going to go over the top of the bridge, but the other wasn't as high and it must have panicked realising it was about to fly smack into the side of the bridge (built of brick and stone and cast-iron) if it didn't do something fast! It was only a few yards away from the bridge and it began to furiously sideslip from side to side and just managed to loose enough height in time .. phew!!!

Then about eight swans further back began flapping hard as well, all in various stages of taking off ... the last one was funny as it looked like it was "walking" on the water - it was more or less upright, and its feet were moving as fast as if it was a sprint finish in the Tour de France. Then I found out why ... a huge boss swan had been chasing the two geese and all the swans away... it "paraded" from one side of the river to the other with its wings held out wide .. what a poser !

Then I belatedly noticed the feathers floating on the river .. it must have been some kerffufle over territory ..

[annie]

I get a lot of pleasure from swan watching on our canal, thanks for this Liz. The males are very territorial

[wendy]

how special was that, I try to remember the special times in my life, and this looks like it was one for you.

[chenrezig]

Many people rush about and don't take time to "stand and stare" ... If more people just slowed down more

[Rosalind]

I like to stand and stare, especially at wild life.

[JaneJ]

Wild life on water is wonderful.

I'm on the canal tomorrow. There were nee baby morrhens last week. Tiny balls of fluff that don't make a ripple.

I wonder what tomorrow will, ring?