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This afternoon, we took a drive through the forest. Being the tourist season, there was much traffic, including cyclists, on the road.
On the way into Brockenhurst, a pony trotted elegantly ahead of a car, until it obligingly stepped onto the grass verge and allowed the vehicles to continue on their way.
A string of ponies by Whitemoor Pond attracted both me and a family of visitors.
First the children attempted to involve the creatures in a game of football;
then a young woman tempted them with slices of bread.
I did my best to indicate that this wasn’t a good idea, but we didn’t speak the same language, however,
the equine teeth got the message across.
It was then that I heard Jackie crying ‘behind you!’ I turned around with some trepidation. This was no pantomime.
Behind me, cooling off and slaking their thirst, were two Highland cattle.
I wondered how they could see through their fringes.
They commandeered the pond;
another loner joined in;
and a fourth, with number five on its way across the road, gave the ponies second thoughts about reclaiming the pond.
Having battled along a pitted track of Ringwood Road, we stopped for a drink at High Corner Inn,
where ponies in the car park
were being fed carrots by a chef who told me that the animals congregate under the kitchen extractor vent because it keeps the flies off them.
Near Frogham, a pregnant female donkey with two foals escorted by a large pony temporarily blocked the road.
At least one of the infants seemed confused about its parentage.
Back home, my choice of the goodies superfluous to yesterday’s feast was Coronation chicken and rice, with which I drank McGuigan Bin 578 merlot 2015. Jackie drank Hoegaarden with various other items.
I love the baby white donkey with tan spots following the horse. Such a funny parentage dilemma comment, Derrick.
The Highland cattle look like they do need their hair “bangs” trimmed. 🙂
Thank you very much, Robin
You are welcome and hope you have an enjoyable week ahead, Derrick.
The first pond-with-ponies scene and the first pond-with-catttle scene are glorious. They look almost posed, as if in the mind of a painter envisioning an idyllic composition.
Thanks very much, Cynthia. I cropped the cattle one a bit, but the ponies one needed no amendment
there was a picture in the Lymington Advertiser, circa 1971 of a car with a hole in the wing which the driver said a pony made when it snatched at an offered sandwich and he got his hand out of the way just in time. Urban myth maybe but no one I knew was going to disprove the power in those teeth. And glad you found the High Corner Inn. Lovely spot.
Thanks very much, Geoff
Gosh, it’s like a zoo where you live! Marvellous photos. And that inn looks very inviting.
Many thanks, Gwen
As so often happened on your outings, the animals stole the show. I can’t nominate my favourite this time but I do like the reflections.
I feel like growing a fringe just like those on the Highland cattle so I can’t see the mess our government is in.
🙂 Mary. Thank you very much
Beautiful shots of the highland cattle! Especially the ones with the dappled light- ot gives the a magical, other worldly look. I recognise one four legged creature as a pony, but are the others really ponies too?
Yes, they come in all shapes and sizes, except for the donkeys in the last two shots. Thanks, Mek
Well I have learnt something! Thanks 🙂
Muckle coos!
Lovely, Leslie. Thanks
Beautiful and idyllic – what a life!
Many thanks, Pauline, innit?
Looks like a great, slightly surreal, sort of day. 😉
‘Surreal’ is a very good word for it. Thanks, Quercus
I love that you’ve got so much wild life roaming free, Derrick. The Highland cattle are so cute. Great post!
It is amazing, Jill. Thank you very much
I’ve been going back and forth looking at all those charming photos. You hit the jackpot, for sure.
Very many thanks, Yvonne
Excellent idyllic scenes Derrick
Beautifully photographed
Many thanks, Ian
Those highland cattle are something. I always wish I had seen some when I was in Scotland. Alas…
They seem almost prehistoric, don’t they, Lisa. Thank you
Love seeing these animals! Gorgeous!
Thank you, Lynn
Such unique pictures!
The most perfect day – spending time just loving the animals.
That’s right, Mary. Thank you
What beautiful fringes they have 🙂
Hahaha! Nice confusion :))
Many thanks, Monica
😀
What a lovely day! With some lovely photos to go with it. Highland cattle should, theoretically, not be much of ma risk, as they are beef cattle bred to get fat. Milk breed bulls, however, are bred to impregnate the cows so they are the hapless victims of a thousand hormones. Not to be messed with, if possible,
Thanks, John
Awwww that is so awesome…all the pictures. Loved it 🙂 The cattle with the fringes…oh my so cute 🙂
Many thanks, shwetadave
I love the photo of the loner with his reflection in the water – very nice. Also, I’m with Jackie on the Hoegaarden – definitely my favorite beer.
Thank you, Karen
Lovely pictures, Derrick. I love Highland cattle – though I always wonder how they can see through their fringes, as well. 🙂
Thank very much, Louise
lovely post.
Thank you, Lundy Girl
Oh my. These are absolutely amazing. All the pictures are lovely but the ones with the water and especially the ones where there is a reflection in the water of the animals are absolutely gorgeous. My favourite is the first of the series of animals and water, your second photograph.
Many thanks, Geetha. Valuable appreciation
Welcome Derrick 🙂
Absolutely adorable pictures 🙂
Many thanks, Osyth
those Highland cattle are beautiful – we are so fortunate that people still want to support the semi-wild life.
We are. Thank you, Sol
Love the donkeys and loved the Highland cattle. It is so good to see some of the old breeds still around.
Thank you, John
How pleasant to see these horses, cattle, donkeys… I so enjoy this post. Thanks, Derrick!
Thanks very much, Amy
Thank you, mySestina