Happy Thought for 11 September 2026

Have a Happy Thought:

Another two-for one šŸ˜Š Proof that I’m still seeing cool stuff to share!

Part 1 – Birds acting a little too smart

Some myna birds in Sydney have recently made the news for doing something that humans do every day – commuting.

Apparently two myna birds have taken to hopping on a passenger train, riding a couple of stops to a different neighbourhood, and then getting off to scrounge for food there. And then they take a different train back “home” later in the day.

Image: still from Instagram video uploaded by @jackiedentwrites

Local wildlife experts assume that this is a mated pair, just living their best lives.

 

Part 2 – The fourth annual waterlily weigh-off results are in!

For the past four years, botanic gardens around the globe have been virtually (on Instagram) participating in a competition to see who can grow the waterlily that can hold up the most weight. Here’s a sample of how that is tested:


Image: Kew Gardens (London) botanical horticulturists Aidan Pike and Martin Silnevs threw down the gauntlet when Silnevs mounted the waterlily pad, placing a total weight of 102kg (224.87lbs) on the leaf when accounting for his gear, waders and plastic base. Off the scale! Kew Gardens’ giant waterlilies hold impressive 102kg in 2026 Waterlily Weigh-Off | Kew 

 

For the second year in a row, the title goes to Bok Tower Gardens in Florida, with a waterlily able to support an incredible 130kg (285.7lb). You can watch the team load up the waterlily (supported by what looks like a small crocodile (alligator? I can’t tell the difference) swimming around them in the pond) here: Bok Tower Gardens on Instagram

 


You can see all the entrants and their rankings, along with links to the various Instagram accounts to watch the waterlilies being loaded up with weights here: Waterlily Weigh Off 2026 Winner.pdf

I do have to admit that one of the best parts of watching the videos is watching the pads collapse. With all the weights on them. Carrying all of those weights down into the depths of the pond…

 

Thanks to Kew Gardens for letting us know about the Waterlily Weigh-off, and the Guardian Australia for the tip-off about the train-riding myna.

 

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