Conditions at 12z (1PM BST): Thickness, 537dam, temperature 11C (dewpoint 6C). Wind from the west, 14 MPH. Today's high, 12C, last night's low 9C. (source: MetO, the 12z GFS and NOAA). A shallow low covers the north sea, sending troughs and fronts over the UK.

As I opened the front door this morning I was greeted by torrents of water - it was absolutely chucking it down. It was also pretty dark, but as I zoomed along the deserted Island roads I was thinking of the day ahead, with the promise of some nice photos.

I arrived at ten to nine to find a locked gate, no surprise there though as cleaning doesn't start until ten. While I fiddled with my camera to wipe its memory cards there were two arrivals, Dominic followed by John, the senior - and the latter has the keys to the place of course.

Photographers started arriving shortly afterwards and while the European wolves (except Latea, who was skittish today) were taken over to the photo mound it was time for me to help with cleaning. I headed on down to Kodiak and Kenai's kennels today and phew, what a stink! It didn't take long to sort out, meaning I was able to help in Duma and Dakota's cleaning as well.

Duma (foreground) and Dakota

The first photo shoot finished as we finished the cleaning, meaning we all met up in the Obs Room afterwards. It was then off to the woods with Duma and Dakota....

The woods were pretty muddy, but the day itself was beautiful - around 10C, a light breeze, partly cloudy skies and a fair bit of sunshine. Faced with hordes of cameras, Dakota was fairly puffing herself up - she really seems to enjoy the attention that comes from photographers!

Dakota poses for her crowd of admirers!

The walk was shorter than usual, but the wolves still managed to get a quick swim in:

Duma (left) and Dakota in the lake

Having left the lake, a soggy Duma sniffs a fern

A lunch break followed (with the majority of people heading to a local pub), then it was time for round two, photos featuring Duma and Dakota on their home territory.

Duma (left) and Dakota

Amusingly, John (and others) howled in an attempt to set Dakota off. It actually worked, too, and even Kodiak and Kenai joined in:

Kodiak and Kenai, howling away...

After a trip back to the Obs Room for refreshments the guests started leaving, which left just enough time for another trip around the fields with D&D for us trainees. Dakota behaved herself beautifully today, although as ever I picked up some new nuggets of info about handling.

As the sun sunk ever lower in the sky it was time to head for home - through some absolutely torrential rain on the M25. It's the first time in ages I've driven on a dual carriageway in the darkness as well, but I'm sure it won't be the last!

All in all, another fantastic day - and next week should be interesting as well, as I'm off to the Autumn Seminar. The week after that sees the clocks go back, meaning that once again I'll have time to write my analysis on a Sunday morning.

Back to the index