Why Did The Pony Cross The Road?

CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE. THOSE IN GROUPS ACCESS GALLERIES THAT CAN BE VIEWED FULL SIZE.

This morning, headed for Hatchet Pond, we drove out to the forest early enough to see the children trailing to Lymington’s schools.

Waterlogged landscape 1
Waterlogged landscape 3

The pond itself was now rivalled by waterlogged terrain

Mallards on waterlogged landscape 1
Mallards on waterlogged landscape 2
Reflected trees with mallards
Reflected trees with mallard

that had been settled by a group of mallards, already pairing up among the reflected trees.

Gulls, mallards, crows, and ponies 1

Various gulls, more mallards, crows, and ponies

Gulls 1

basked

Gulls in flight 1

and flew around Hatchet Pond,

Herons

on the far side of which a couple of cormorants perched on posts in the water,

Swan and reeds

and a solitary swan drifted among last year’s plants.

Ponies and gorse 1

Dappled ponies grazed among the golden gorse,

Reflected tree and pony

and alongside additional pools.

Pony 1
Pony 2
Pony 3

These gentle creatures, ignoring the thorns of gorse and bramble, tore at the clumps of grass.

Pony crossing road

Now, why did this one cross the road?

Ponies and gorse 2

To join its foraging fellows.

Waterlogged forest terrain 1
Waterlogged terrain 2

The forest terrain was covered in clear rainwater bathing last autumn’s leaves,

Reflections in ditch 1
Reflected trees

and reflecting trees.

Waterlogged landscape 2

Balmer Lawn’s land alongside Highland Water was similarly awash.

Highland Water 1
Highland Water 2

That river runs under the A337 on the approach to Brockenhurst.

Reflections in Highland Water 1
Reflections in Highland Water 2

It provides reflections from the bridge over which we drive.

This evening we dined on our tried and tested choice of M3 from the set meals of The Family House Chinese restaurant in Totton. As so often the establishment was full of both Chinese and English family members with dual heritage children milling about. As I said to the assembled company on our departure, “one of the reasons we like this place is that it is a family house”.

 

59 comments

  2. Derrick – we get the same thing here – when it rains enough to leave big puddles, the Mallards move in. I always feel bad because, by the time the babies come along, there pond will likely not be there.

    I love your love for the ponies.

    And that leaf! The photo of the centered one – it was aglow! Very cool.

    Reply

  3. Lovely photos, and with your narrative, I felt like I was seeing a short nature documentary. I also liked that leaf, and the bridge at the end.
    The restaurant sounds great. 🙂

    Reply

  12. The “gorse” looks like something we used to call “broom” on Vancouver Island. I love it but it has become an invasive plant and is reviled by gardeners up and down the coast. To me it sings spring.

    Reply

  17. What a lovely set – the ponies and the birds have me captivated but my favourite pair are the little oak leaves on and in the puddles … so pretty

    Reply

  20. To respond to the presumption as to why the pony crossed the road:
    All I can say is neigh. Your suggested reason makes me cross – Regards, Pony.

    Reply

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