The south of England was covered in a layer of mist for most of today. And the temperature dropped back down to around freezing again. Not ideal weather for driving, but I made good time and I'd arrived in Surrey with 20 minutes or so to spare. Enough time to attempt some photos. There were some gulls dicing with the frozen lake.
Black headed gulls on partially frozen lake
The ducks, on the other hand, had congregated in a slightly less barren spot.
Mallards
While the coots and the geese were remaining firmly on dry land.
Coot
It was still misty when I left Surrey at lunchtime, but the southern end of the Downs seemed to have escaped the poor weather, and I got back to find Sussex enjoying a weak wintry sun. 
Sheep on the South Downs
On garden matters, the nicked-ear vixen showed up tonight, saw me… and vanished in a flash! But not the flash of a camera. She was far too quick for that. So her sudden intolerance of humans continues, which is possibly no bad thing if she's pregnant. It will be interesting to see if things change around March which is when cubs are likely to be born. We'll have to wait and see.
Camera note: all shots taken with the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens.
cakkleberrylane
15 Jan 2009What is it on the coot's right foot? Is that part of his foot?
Ukwildlife
15 Jan 2009great pics. I wimped out and stayed indoors today!
Cakkleberry – I cant see anything on the coots foot. They do have very long toes with large flaps on as a sort of webbing
Flying Red Fox Blog
15 Jan 2009Nice photos, especially the canada goose 🙂
I had a bad day yesterday, my epilepsy started playing up and i had a seizure on the way home from work. so was in hospital for most of the day 🙁 I havent had one for over 3 years and they let me out after 4 hours, i am still sleepy now so will have more sleep soon.
Good thing i had somewone with me to help me.
Words
15 Jan 2009Mark thanks! I'm sorry to hear that you had a bad day 🙁 I'm not surprised you're sleepy (I just checked the time you posted :faint: ) but plenty of rest will help. I hope you are feeling fully recovered quickly.
Words
15 Jan 2009Neil, it wasn't the best of days to be outside, and was much colder than it's been for the past few days. It was much better near the coast though.
Words
15 Jan 2009Lois, yes that's part of it's foot. The wide flanges help it walk on sediment. Very peculiar though!
SittingFox
15 Jan 2009I blink every time that I see coots' feet :eyes: Nice pictures. Yes, it certainly was extremely misty in Surrey yesterday…and today… :right:
@Mark – hope you get better soon.
Words
15 Jan 2009Adele, those feet are astonishing aren't they! It looks like a catcher in a baseball team. The mist over the lake was fine. Less pleasant on the M25, though never too thick to be a problem.