The Russian Whale is so cool.
The grid lines are really odd; especially on the ice too.
This image here looks like a painting, almost hard to believe it is a photo taken up high. It is amazing how things look from up high.
My guess for the winding stream/lakes is to increase surface area, or in this case contact area for access to water to more people or animals or farms....
Oh yeah this is my favourite one, I still take second glances when I scroll past! Good guess and surface area may be correct, relating to 'path of least resistance', too