Everything is Permuted

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

Walking on thin ice...

Tuesday, December 7, 2010 11:13:57 PM

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The "big freeze" (yes, I know everyone in Northern Europe, Eastern Europe, the USA will fall about laughing at that!) continues, but it really has caught us out over here. My train this morning had no heating, but at least it ran on time. Now if they could combine timeliness with warmth we might actually be getting somewhere, but such things seem beyond us. Anyway, it's cold!

Cold enough for geese to take the easy route across the lake.


Cold enough even for a squirrel to take a short cut from one bank to the other.


The ducks weren't silly though. They took to the air.


And the herons stalked along the water's edge.




Down in the undergrowth, a rat just did what rats do...




Though this one seems to be contemplating the tree with a hint of envy for its bushy-tailed friends.


Not that the bushy-tailed friends are bothered...


I did see a fox in the garden tonight, but only through the window. I can hear them outside, short chattering calls. But it's too cold to linger. I'll check the trail cam tomorrow to see who I've missed.
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Camera note: all shots taken with the EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM.

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Comments

Uncle MickMickeyjoe-Irl Wednesday, December 8, 2010 12:14:58 AM

lol I see what you mean about ice skating.

Cold is relative. If Canada were shut down the way England and Ireland are they'd be calling it a big freeze too.

RobinRobinL Wednesday, December 8, 2010 12:21:55 AM

Nice series of shots. I think you must have a string tied around that rats tail, so you can pull it up every day!!

rania.h.qasemraniakasim Wednesday, December 8, 2010 7:41:05 AM

and u , what u were wearing when u took this photos ?

Mark JonesFlying Red Fox Blog Wednesday, December 8, 2010 7:44:12 AM

Very nice photos, hopefully your train will be heated today. smurf

On the Southern site they say a lot of their trains have been damaged.......... i guess next time they should extend the roof of Brighton station and keep them undercover there when its snowing......... or, buy better snowproff trains!

I heard on the news that the big freeze will continue into the New Year! yikes

Adele BrandSittingFox Wednesday, December 8, 2010 8:13:00 AM

We're still mostly snow-covered up here! Hard to estimate the depth but I'd say it's about three inches, mixed here and there with solid puddles of ice. The pavements are incredibly dangerous (and I'm wearing good quality hiking boots). I'm waiting to find out if my train today will have heating worried

You're becoming an expert in finding rats! I have seen them in trees, rarely, so maybe they will be competing with the squirrels from now on wink

The ice must be tough on the birds, though.

ERWINWulpen Wednesday, December 8, 2010 7:32:41 PM

Lovely Photos

Darkogdare Wednesday, December 8, 2010 9:08:56 PM


Down in the undergrowth, a rat just did what rats do...


Staring at you? lol

We had 20C today, felt like a spring so all your photographs look so unreal to me knockout But starting tomorrow, they promised us few days of snow and subzero temperatures left

Words Wednesday, December 8, 2010 10:33:23 PM

Mick, that's a good observation, and I guess it never really lasts for very long here (though Scotland is really suffering). Snow all gone here, though I hear reports we may yet get more.

Words Wednesday, December 8, 2010 10:36:33 PM

Robin, LOL! I'm afraid the rats are a little too easy to find. What's really odd is that very occasionally someone spots one and either doesn't know what it is (I've been asked what I'm photographing) or if they're with children says something like 'oh look, ratty'.

Words Wednesday, December 8, 2010 10:37:10 PM

Rania, lots of jumpers, a hat and gloves! psmurf

Words Wednesday, December 8, 2010 10:38:47 PM

Mark, no the train was unheated again today. To be fair it's only the front carriage, but if you want a seat... Snowproof trains! Now there's an idea.

Words Wednesday, December 8, 2010 10:41:26 PM

Adele, yes the snow is still around Gatwick as well. The amount you had fall is quite astonishing. Another thaw at the weekend, then back to the freeze (possibly). It could be a genuinely harsh winter. I do hope your train was heated (mine wasn't).

I think the park birds do ok despite the cold, but it must be so tough on the smaller ones.

Words Wednesday, December 8, 2010 10:41:38 PM

Erwin, thanks!

Words Wednesday, December 8, 2010 10:43:02 PM

Darko, 20ºC!!!! Outrageous. That's mid-summer temperatures. But the cold will find you p

Adele BrandSittingFox Wednesday, December 8, 2010 10:58:16 PM

Oh dear sad And I don't know if my train was heated because I missed it (my fault) and then also missed the next two (road down the hill out of my village jammed solid for reasons that presumably involved ice). I managed to get in before 10am. Just cry

I'm expecting more snow, I've got to admit. This winter just has that kind of feel about it.

Uncle MickMickeyjoe-Irl Wednesday, December 8, 2010 11:05:10 PM

Originally posted by Words:

Snow all gone here, though I hear reports we may yet get more.

We have been promised a thaw starting tomorrow and continuing over the weekend. After that who knows?

Words Wednesday, December 8, 2010 11:09:23 PM

Well done for making it in. It's so irritating when the traffic does that, and there rarely seems to be any rhyme or reason behind traffic jams. Yep, a cold winter looms!

rania.h.qasemraniakasim Thursday, December 9, 2010 11:00:50 AM

very good up

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