Thanks so much to everyone who visited my strange angle on the world yesterday. I really appreciate all your comments and visits, and especially big thanks to Sue118 for the user awarded.

Today got off to a flying start, with one of the swans on the Ornamental Lake at Southampton Common enjoying the opportunity that the thawing ice offered for a bit of a wing stretch. Unfortunately I was not given prior warning, and had my camera on all the wrong settings . After that beautiful disaster (beautiful being the swan, disaster being the camera -wielder) I had planned to have a little wander and see what else was going on, especially with things that sit still nicely for photos, and to that end took myself off into the undergrowth in search of fungi.

I didn't find fungi. I found a drone. Initially I thought it was a Tesco carrier bag, and tuttingly approached it, intending to collect and dispose of it responsibly. However, it turned out to be a drone, complete with camera. I emerged from the bushes, adorned with leaves, carrying my camera in one hand, the drone (which was quite large) in the other, and called to a passing dog walker (who looked a little nervous of my approach). It turned out that the Common was replete with notices about the lost drone, and I was escorted to one of these and advised to call the number on it. Half an hour later the drone was back with its owner, who very kindly insisted on giving me a small reward, although I did point out that the drone was probably a bit bashed as I had found it in the bushes, and might not be worth it.

It was too late to do any more photography, as I had to report to work, but I have just been to buy Lego with the reward, so my son is very happy, and the photo I did manage to take is a happy if blurry memory of a beautiful swan flight through the early morning sunshine, so all in all, it turned out to be a flying start to the day.

Tags: General Swan Swan flying

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