WATERLIFE

There is always something happening on the waterway. If it's not passing pleasure and commercial boats it's canoeists or wildlife. Pleased to see yesterday that our 'lagoon' has good water quality. An otter wandered passed totally unperturbed by our presence. It did not go unnoticed by the swans. The adult immediately made a bee line for it and launched out with a fierce peck. This was followed by the two cygnets, now full size, doing the same. The otter wasn't too bothered, all in a days meandering. It was good for us watching as the otter came right up to Soraya. We have seen them before but unfortunately usually at a distance.

Swan v otter. Score 'Love all' or as we say in France 'Égalité'.

On another wildlife matter, navigating along the canal we very often see herons stalking and catching fish. I saw a heron with something black in its mouth. As we drew closer I realised it was a young mole!! The mole was visibly distressed. So were we! Whether the heron ate the mole we don't know as we passed by. I feel the heron would have disgarded it due to all the fur? I don't know. They are known as opportunistic eaters and do sometimes eat small rodents, so I suppose a small mole could be on the menu. Certainly herons are off my list of likeable creatures.

We saw this small boat in the distance and could not make it out. I said jokingly it looks like a vegetable seller as you see on the small waterways in Bangkok. As is got closer we realised I was totally correct, it's the daily waterborne vegetable seller. All very handy straight off the back of Soraya. Not sure if it's a real viable business, there are not that many boats. Do they appeal to land based customers? We may find out.

The daily canal vegetable 'shop'.