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We have several sparrows’ nests in the garden. They, along with various other small birds, take their ablutions in the Waterboy’s pool, as they did this morning.
Sometimes they await their turn for a dip on the little lad’s head, flying off after they are done.
Other perches also come in useful.
I carried out an administrative task in relation to our friend Wolf’s executorship, after which Jackie drove me to the Hordle Post Office.
We were narrowly beaten to Hordle Lane by a crane transporter. This held us up somewhat,
since it took up most of the tarmac, and anyone coming from the other side of the road had to risk driving into the ditch.
There were quite a few of these because it was school run time.
After I had eventually posted some missives, we travelled on to Brockenhurst via Mount Pleasant Lane which rather lived up to its name.
At Highland Water a heron strode purposefully along the shallow stream,
on the other side of which a group of small ponies mowed the lawns.
One of their number had remained on our side and attached itself to a small family.
The father collected up the picnic and took it to a safer place,
while the boys watched with some consternation the pony snuffling the bicycle.
With teeth
and hoof, the animal sought to relieve its itching,
reporting progress to the mother and her younger son
as the father crouched down with his camera.
While other photographers thronged to the scene the model began smiling for the cameras.
This evening we dined on Jackie’s superb lamb jalfrezi, her rice with peas, and her sag ponir, with which we both drank Kingfisher.
The birds know a good home when they see it!! Your country sure supplies endless material for you to photograph and write about, Derrick!!
Thanks a lot GP. Rather fortunate, really
Such a cute pony story! He (or she!) certainly is a small one.
Thanks, Laurie. I couldn’t get underneath to find out 🙂
😉
I have a small pond that I made out of a planter and it does attract a lot of wildlife. Unfortunately they love my fish too much and now I have to protect the remaining three by covering the pond with wire.
We don’t have small birds like the sparrow anymore. The smallest I see now are the rainbow lorikeets; their numbers are assured as people feed them from their balconies. You see even birds need beauty to survive in our society.
The moment the man sat down and started photographing the pony is a sweet one.
Very many thanks, Mary. I know it wasn’t easy to type
My fingers can almost always find the delete button 🙂
Now THAT’s an unforgettable smile!
Many thanks, Donna
I sometimes wonder what it feels like to live in a magical place like the one depicted in the pictures. I feel like wanna jump into the world that your shots portray! Enchanting is an understatement!!
So pleased, Sofia. Thank you very much
That pony knew it was about to get its five minutes of fame – what a ham!! 🙂 Your country lanes are so beautiful, I remember going backwards down them quite often when faced by these great huge trucks who posed too great a risk of me being ditchified if passing was attempted. Mmmm,, have I told you this before I wonder????
Thanks very much, Pauline. No, you are not repeating yourself yet 🙂
Sparrows, gardens, and a pony (with story)–a great combination, Derrick! (Oh, and Indian food for dinner. ):)
🙂 Many thanks, Merril
Oh my word, that truck is pushing them off the road! Time to play guess my favorite, Derrick. Yes…I LOVED the Mount Pleasant Lane shot!
It is good it was your favourite, because it was put in for you, Jill. 🙂 Thanks.
Aw…thanks, Derrick! 🙂
……but most of all I love the sparrows.
That’s good, John. They are dying out over here. Thanks
Excellent. A very magical world indeed. Better to have the birds nesting in your backyard garden than the ponies. 😀
Yep, Joseph. 🙂 Thank you.
Did you know that there are no sparrows in Western Australia?
They are considered vermin and if a daring sparrow somehow makes it’s way across the rabbit proof fence into the West, it makes headlines in the paper, and all stops are pulled, to hunt down, and kill, this ferocious creature!
Well that was how it was in the 60′ and 70’s when I lived in the West!
Just love all those lovely ponies.
Many thanks, Brian. I think it may have been John who once said there were no small birds in Australia
There are many starlings in the West, I think they are pretty small
Beautiful photography for what looks like a great day out despite the crane transporter. Love the one with the water feature
Many thanks, Geetha. At least the transporter gave me some material 🙂
That’s what I like about your attitude which transpires in all your posts, positivity. Blessed be and may we keep having great uplifting posts always from you.
🙂
Mount Pleasant Lane, High Water—what beautiful names! I loved the pic of the white heron. Ours are a mud-colored grey, but we appreciate them anyway. Such an amazing, patient bird!
Very many thanks, Diane
Why, that is a Ponylisa smile! I enjoyed the understatement about your car being delayed by the crane somewhat.
Many thanks, Uma. Damon Runyon would have expressed it rather differently. 🙂
Hmm… I would rather restrict myself to Mr Derrick J Knight.
🙂
Great shot of the heron!
Thanks very much, in567
I liked the humor shown when you talk about animals as well as their intentions. This pony really did get a big smile on its face! 😉
Many thanks, Robin. I was some distance away so I don’t know what it was saying 🙂
Well, it probably was muttering if you could read his lips, something like, “another human tourist in our animal paradise.” 😉
Quite so, Robin. 🙂
Beautiful family and rural pictures Derrick.
The scenes in many of your garden pictures, give an aura of contemplative serenity.
Very many thanks, Ian
Mount Pleasant Road does look like a beautiful ride! I love the pony shots, especially the last one where he is smiling for the camera. Great catch!
Many thanks, Lavinia. One of those lucky moments.