Observations on Swans

Well, I'm done in Staines working at Samsung - and lots of fun it is too.

I like to go for a wander to get out of the office and have a good long think about a project, some code, an optimisation or just simply clear my mind. It's good. Well, I think it is. Maybe it doesn't seem too productive to some peeps but for me it works.

Anyway, the Thames, Wraybury and Colne all flow through Staines so there's lots of water here... and lots of swans.

I watch these swans a lot - they're nice and peaceful.

Sometimes they float around with one leg tucked up over their backs and their big grey feet pointing up from between their wings - it looks odd and a little uncomfortable so I wondered why they do it... I think, from watching them, that they might do this one leg at a time so as to warm one foot whilst still being able to swim.

The other thing they do is lift their wings slightly and form a sort of heart shape. Initially I thought this might be a aggressive thing - but no (they just hiss as a warning and are pretty placid really). Then I thought it might be a mating/showing off thing - but no other behaviour indicated that either.

I think they're sailing... when the wind is in the direction they want to go they put their wings into this shape and get blown down (or up) the river saving lots of energy.

Well, that's my thought for the day... I wonder if I can put a sail on my Ka and get home for free???