I had to go to the University of Surrey today for a meeting, which meant a drive around the M25 in pouring rain. I made good time and the rain had just about stopped by the time I arrived. With a few minutes to spare I took the opportunity to look around the campus, which includes a landscaped lake.
The rain was back by the time I left, so it wasn't until this evening that I took the camera out again (seriously delayed by Chelsea's fabulous triumph over Liverpool in the Champions League :hat:). It's a few days since I'd last seen the hedgehog, but it was back tonight feasting on some sultanas. 
I'd been watching for a couple of minutes when the little thing became somewhat distracted from eating and beat a rapid retreat.
Here's why…
I can understand that the hedgehog's worries about the foxes, but I imagine they're not entirely unaware of each other. The fox – in typical dog fashion – did decide to have a sniff… but it seems these two have an understanding of sorts and are happy enough to leave each other be. The hedgehog obviously knows who is lord of the sultanas in this garden.
Camera note: the ducklings were photographed with the EF70-300mm 4.5-5.6 DO IS lens, and the mammals with the EF 24-105 F4L IS USM.
Ukwildlife
1 May 2008Fantastic photos as ever. Love the fox sniffing the hedgehog – Ive been reading the book "urban foxes" which says hedgehogs have little worry about with foxes,. as foxes rarely bother to tackle such prickly animals – sorry if you already know this!
Sad to think i havent seen a fox in months and a hedgehog in years 🙁
cakkleberrylane
1 May 2008Wonderful shots of all! I love the fox and the hedgehog too!
Cynthia23
1 May 2008Always so glad to enjoy your yard with your entries, Words. The ducklings are adorable. I shared some of these with my Dad, and he insisted that I ask you: "Are these secretly your pets?" I am smiling, please be smiling, too. I know from your photos and writing that you are just a calm, gentle person that attracts the wonders of nature to naturally come around you and yours. 🙂
Words
1 May 2008Lois, it's always fascinating to watch these encounters. They must happen much more frequently than they're observed.
Words
1 May 2008Cynthia, I never used to really notice what was around me, but once you start looking you can find these small moments of nature everywhere. It's a great way of keeping everything else in perspective. Glad you liked the pix. 🙂
Words
1 May 2008Neil, the Urban Foxes book is excellent isn't it. The hedgehog is somewhat wary when the foxes are about. I've seen them encounter each other before, but that was with a young fox which was rather more enthusiastic, but gave up and then proceeded to lie down and watch the 'hog eating!
FrogBoots
1 May 2008Delightful photos! :up: I particularly love the expression on the fox sniffing the hedgehog. :happy:
Vulpes vulpes
1 May 2008Lovely! :up: My experience of watching foxes is that the FOXES run at the sight of the hedgehog feeding at their food bowl! Mind you, they also do this when cats approach…the foxes that is . Perhaps they are scaredy foxes! 😉 I remember reading in a book (study on Bristol foxes) that foxes have been known to urinate on hedgehogs to get them to unroll! :yuck: If I was a hedgehog, I think that would work for me!! :ko:
SittingFox
1 May 2008Love the picture of the fox and the hedgehog – just great! :yes: It also goes to show that foxes are really quite small and hedgehogs are really quite large 😉
I hope some of Surrey's foxes appeared for you during your visit, though they mostly disappear in the rain :right: I have seen foxes from Surrey's motorways before now, just wandering about fields, but then again I don't (yet) drive, and I'm not sure that I would like to scan for foxes while behind the wheel!
Words
2 May 2008Adele, the size of foxes is so deceptive but yes that shot does help give some idea of scale. I didn't see any Surrey foxes on my travels. I was too intent in trying to see the road through windscreen wipers. It was pouring almost the whole journey in both directions. But sunny again when I hit Sussex on the return.
Words
2 May 2008Vulpes, Interesting foxes you see 😀 The other close encounter I saw (last year) had a young fox back away from the hedgehog and then settle down to watch it. Clearly they're not keen on confronting the prickly ball. The urination trick is interesting. I can well imagine it would work!
Words
2 May 2008Thanks FB. It's a moment I was hoping to capture. 🙂
Flying Red Fox Blog
2 May 2008Those Ducklings are so adorablly cute :heart: :love: Nice shots with the Fox and the Hedgehog, i guess the Fox knows what it might get if it messed with it i think. 😛
Words
2 May 2008I ca never resist taking shots of ducklings! As for the fox, I guess he probably learnt his lesson quite early on. :sherlock: