Everything is Permuted

Tales of a South Downs fox... and other ramblings

More of the snowy south...

Thursday, January 7, 2010 11:39:10 PM

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Well we haven't had more than a few minor flurries of snow today. On the other hand, the temperature dropped rapidly last night (to around -8 C), so what snow there is looks like staying on the ground for a while yet. The roads outside are solid ice, public transport isn't reaching us, and the smaller roads are not being gritted. Some reports are suggesting it could stay like this for a couple of weeks more, which is a little alarming. We may not have the depth of snow or low temperatures of some parts of the world, but we are totally unprepared and have no infrastructure to deal with these conditions when they do hit us. Anyway, enough of the rambling, now to some photos.
The view from our garden, early this morning

Also taken from the garden, but looking out over the Downs

One of the local 'main roads'

A sparrow preening itself

And a cheeky chaffinch

As for the foxes, I'm still chasing a 'snow photo' but I did find out that the bold vixen hasn't been treated by our local wildlife centre, so her disappearance in November is still a mystery. I did catch her - and a male fox a few hours later - on the trail cam. It was close enough to daylight for the second part of the video to be in colour!


Nature Blog Network
Camera note: all the photos were taken with the Canon 40D. For the first two, and the sparrow, I used the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens. The 'main road' was taken with the EF70-300mm 4.5-5.6 DO IS lens, as was the chaffinch.

Yes, it's been snowing...Fox in the Snow (photos)

Comments

Uncle MickMickeyjoe-Irl Friday, January 8, 2010 1:20:08 AM

We really are in the same boat, though from the looks of things you've had a lot more snow.

bigeyes The vixen's patches seem to stand out more in the low light.

Darkogdare Friday, January 8, 2010 7:21:24 AM

Beautiful photos Words, snow just adds more charm to everything, right?
As Adele mentioned few days ago, it seems that we switched weather again p All we have is almost everyday raining. But as a country that is used to have a lot of snow at least once during winter, our community services are everytime surprised when it start to snow in December or january faint And roads look like that one on your photo irked

Mark JonesFlying Red Fox Blog Friday, January 8, 2010 7:47:41 AM

I love that first photo, really beautiful yes Nice vid too, iam sure the snow will stick around for all weekend and more forecast for East Sussex! yikes

Hopefully you get the Fox in the snow photo bigsmile I went for a nice long walk round fields near my house yesterday and saw interesting tracks from Rabbits and maybe Foxes and a species of a two legged mammal that i later spoke to....... lol

Adele BrandSittingFox Friday, January 8, 2010 9:46:44 AM

Snowy, snowy Britain...and the powers that be had better learn some lessons from this on handling winter! I've been working at home since Wednesday. Had enough of getting stranded whistle

I like the composition in the first photo - having the rooftops in the foreground makes for an interesting shape!

ERWINWulpen Friday, January 8, 2010 7:30:16 PM

Great Photos and a nice clip of the Fox

derspecht Friday, January 8, 2010 10:00:51 PM

Wonderful pics and a lot of snow! The view from your garden is gorgeous!

NeilUkwildlife Friday, January 8, 2010 10:11:35 PM

Lovely photos

Words Friday, January 8, 2010 11:02:51 PM

Mickey, we've had more snow than I can remember for an awful long time, and it's just sitting there. More due over the weekend, but hopefully it won't last too much longer. I've still not figured out what happened to the vixen, but she seems fine which is the main thing.

Words Friday, January 8, 2010 11:06:32 PM

Darko, oh yes the snow does make the most mundane places look pretty. We're just not used to it, but I think I'd rather have snow than constant rain. I hate those grey days, so you have my sympathy. Hopefully it won't last too much longer, but I'm glad it's stayed until the weekend so I can go out a bit more.

Words Friday, January 8, 2010 11:08:35 PM

Mark, I'm still struggling to get a fox-in-snow photo. I nearly managed last night. I saw the trail cam's red lights come on but the fox was gone by the time I unlocked the door to look (it was late). The snow is still sitting out there, so I may get more chances, and if we do get the heavy fall over the weekend I may get lots of chances!

Words Friday, January 8, 2010 11:13:46 PM

Adele, I've been working from home as well. Oddly more efficient than going to work. I've got loads done, but that's probably because much less new work is coming in. Glad you haven't got stranded again.

That first picture was taken just as the sun started to come out. It lit up the houses perfectly. There's a large version over here.

Words Friday, January 8, 2010 11:14:35 PM

Erwin, thanks. It was a treat to get some colour footage of the second fox.

Words Friday, January 8, 2010 11:16:52 PM

Swen, the snow has certainly added to the views. I'm quite enjoying it while it lasts smurf

Words Friday, January 8, 2010 11:17:26 PM

Neil, thanks!

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