Splashdown!

I don't like swans. Yes, I know that they are very elegant etc but I have had a couple of bad experiences. The last occurred a few months back on one of my photographic forays.

 

I was walking along a narrow path, river one side, high brick wall other side. In the middle of the path sat the biggest swan I'd ever seen. Six feet tall, eight feet wide. (This may be a slight exaggeration but you get the picture).

 

No problem I thought. I'll walk up boldly, it'll get scared, slide into the river and I'll be on my way.

 

WRONG!

 

As I approached it stood up, spread its wings and snarled at me. (Well hissed actually, but I'm sure that's swan equivalent for snarling). I got the message..... No Way Hose.

 

About this time, I remembered that a swan was capable of inflicting severe bodily harm with it's wings. What we had was a stand-off. He was not going to let me pass.

 

So I had a choice. Climb the wall (but my climbing days are over) or jump in the river.

 

Now water is not my natural environment, particularly when it is cold and muddy. It is, however, a swan's. So how could I persuade this giant that it would be a nice idea if he went for a swim.

 

Brainwave! I was carrying a tripod. Extending one leg and the central column, effectively, I had a pole about eitght feet long. So using the tripod I could persuade (poke) the swan until he got into the river. Fortunately this worked and I was able to return home safe and sound.

 

Now you won't read of this use for a tripod in any photographic book or magazine. It's amazing what you can learn on Flickr. You might like to file this away for future reference.

Done