Prehensile

I really thought Autumn was here this morning. Fog.
Our early walk around St Ives Estate was bathed in it, literally, it was very warm and damp.

I took pictures of misty trees and barely visible pylons to set the scene for the 'season of mists ...' etc. But soon the mist burned away and it has been hotter than ever.

After doing a bit of a clean up at my friend's, who sadly has been burgled whilst visiting her daughter in Canada and returns tomorrow, we did a bit of shopping and then called in at Lady B's (St Ives Estate again)for a coffee. Sitting outside and enjoying the smell of lavender and the sound of bees maybe for the last time this year.

Looking much brighter than early morning we did a circuit of Coppice Pond to see the swans. They definitely seem to be a pair but Chris spotted what he called a 'snake bird'. It's what they called them when we were in India as only their heads show above the surface of the water and later we saw it drying his wings on the posts frequented by the gulls. It's such an iconic sight but we didn't think we would have a Cormorant on an inland pond.

I looked it up and think I've identified it as a juvenile Cormorant which are apparently now quite often seen on lakes, ponds and reservoirs.

A first I think for Coppice Pond. At least I haven't seen one before here. I would have loved a shot of him drying his wings but of course that was straight into the sun.

Lots more Canada geese than usual today too, not sure if they are on the move or have just arrived.

Last day of summer? We shall have to wait and see. More storms forecast which with this heat wouldn't surprise me at all.