Low pressure dominates the UK with several fronts over southern England bringing rain. Conditions at 12z (1PM BST): Thickness, 561dam, temperature 16C (dewpoint 16C). Wind from the ESE, 15 MPH. Today's high, 20C, last night's low 15C (source: MetO, the 12z GFS and NOAA).

After a dry Saturday, Sunday dawned overcast but dry here on Sheppey. I set off as usual for the wolf centre and a couple of minutes after leaving the Island it started to rain - and it continued to rain all the way to Beenham.


A soggy wolf centre

The rain didn't seem to bother the wolves in the slightest though, as their guard hairs are superb at repelling water.

Although the wolves have shelter in the form of large wooden kennels, they usually prefer to stay outside when it rains. Here's a picture of Duma out in the rain, in an unusual pose - she stayed like that for around 20 seconds, pointing at something out of my view.


Duma

As usual there was cleaning needing to be done and this time I helped out with Kodiak and Kenai's quarters. They'd not made too much of a mess, which meant there was plenty of time to take pictures of Kodiak, who had been watching us throughout.


Kodiak

Kodiak is a massive wolf up close and presents a wonderful sight with his hackles and tail up - he even growls when his friends are stroking him! Like his sister Kenai, he's now eleven years old which is pretty ancient in wolf terms; most wolves in the wild won't make it to 10 years of age, but in captivity anything up to 13 or 14 is possible.

After the cleaning had been completed we all headed back to the Obs Room, which has undergone a facelift with much more space available. After watching the Meridian Tonight report of the wolves at the Kent Show and chatting for a while, it was time to make tracks for the wolf walk. As is often the case I volunteered to head out to meet the guests and to spray their shoes with bitter apple, as the wolves like dangly things and shoelaces appeal to them.

However, this week the level crossing was closed meaning I had to take a detour around some back roads. It didn't add much to the journey time though and before long we were off in the woods, accompanied by drizzle. The drizzle stopped soon after this "meet and greet":


Dakota in a "meet and greet"

The clouds then started to break up and by the halfway mark the sun came out, making it feel quite warm (and as pretty much everyone was wearing coats I suspect I wasn't the only one to feel hot!) The wolves also went for a quick dip in the lake, as per usual.


Dakota in the lake

After that I seperated from the pack, although apparently Dakota was tracking me (those wolves really are very oberservant!) I forged my way through the bracken, hoping to overtake the walkers and get some pictures as the wolves approached. However, after a few minutes heading northwards I saw a lot of wooden poles standing up, which threw me - thinking I'd made a mistake I retraced my steps, only to find that the poles were part of a logging wagon which had been parked along our normal route, doh! Eventually I caught up with and overtook the wolves, which enabled me to get the shot I'd been after:


Duma approaches the camera

A couple of minutes later the walk came to an end and I darted back to the Trust, going via an incredibly narrow road. The detour worked and I arrived back a few minutes before everyone else, enabling me to set up things for our visitors. After they'd had their teas and coffees and seen the other wolves, it was decided to take Kenai out for a stroll.

As mentioned many a time I'm fond of the old wolf as she was my adopted wolf seven years ago when I first joined the Trust. Once again I distracted Kodiak by racing with him while his sister was let out of the gate - poor old Kodiak never seems to learn!


Kenai
Kenai was as wonderful as ever and seemed to really enjoy the change of scenery. She also enjoyed rubbing up against us all which is all the more fun if you're holding the lead!


Kenai says, "This is my territory!"
This was a common sight, Kenai laying claim to the area. Alphas will do this every hundred yards or so and it leaves a powerful message to would-be intruders.

Once the walk was completed I took her collar off (again, interesting to me as I don't own a dog), then it was time to head back to Kent. Once again I noticed a distinct yellowy tinge to the verges and fields as I arrived back in my home county, but at least the dust clouds have gone!

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