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This afternoon Jackie and I took a drive into the forest.
The recent strong winds and heavy rain have desisted, but the day remained overcast until this evening when the sun returned.
This bright orange tree fungus at Boldrewood seems to have benefited from its liquid refreshment.
Water is trickling back into the pools, such as this one again attracting ponies.
After having slaked their thirst in a shallow ditch, two families of donkeys trooped along the road at Norley Wood.
Our way was hampered on Holly Lane, Pilley, by a group of ponies, one simultaneously suckling a foal and catching her tail on brambles. I attempted to weave my way between the hind legs of mares on either side of the narrow lane in order to take a shot from a different angle. This didn’t work, because the mother simply led her offspring further along the road. The manoeuvre did, however, have the benefit of clearing enough space for the Modus. Only after Mum had enjoyed a good scratch.
Elizabeth is spending a couple of days with friends at West End. This evening Jackie and I dined on the carvery at the Walhampton Arms. The service was friendly and efficient and the food unbelievably good value. For £7 a head we were offered a choice of beef, pork, turkey, or a little of each. Three large slices were served with Yorkshire pudding. We then loaded our good sized plates with sage and onion stuffing, roast and new potatoes, parsnips, carrots, swede, cauliflower, leeks, and runner beans. Gravy was available, as was the appropriate sauces for the meats. My choice was beef; Jackie’s was pork, each perfectly cooked. Jackie drank Amstel and I drank Razor Back.
That tree fungus is amazing – I believe I’ve never seen one before so robust and multi terraced. It’s beautiful! Great capture of the pony scratching too 🙂
Very many thanks, Pauline. I’ve never seen one so bright before
Wonderful clicks Derrick.
Thanks very much, Rupali
Fabulous photos, Derrick. I love the dramatic sky, and that bright orange fungus is quite amazing.
Great shot of the mum scratching–and all the rest.
Very many thanks, Merril
Do you all have horse flies? Maybe that’s what’s making that mum itchy. Great photos, Derrick!
Thanks very much, Jill. The animals are covered in flies at this time off the year
The ponies look nice and sleek in their summer coats. And that is a fine orange fungus!
Thank you very much, Lavinia
It looks as though someone has cut off the top part of the tree fungus; it may be edible, but I don’t find it in my mushroom book! Fabulous picture of the scratching Mama, and what a lovely meal.
Thanks very much, Lisa. I thought the fungus had probably been nibbled
Last time I was in England I seem to recall paying nearly that much for a decent coffee. Good value indeed! Great shots as usual.
Thanks a lot, Gwen. The whole bill, including drinks, was under £20. The huge, former dairy, was packed out with holidaying families.
Love the orange fungas on the tree (very colorful) and of course, always love the photos of the horses and donkeys!
Thanks very much, Gary
Love the orange fungas on the tree (very colorful) and of course, always love the photos of the horses and donkeys!
That tree fungus looks pretty. Not that I know much about tree fungus, but it is the best one I ever saw.
Me, too, Drew. Thanks a lot
Country life…lovely!
Thanks very much, Arlene
As we would say in Maine, those dinners were a wicked good deal. Great pictures of all the animals.
Wicked, indeed, Laurie. Thanks very much
😉
Great price for that meal! You might ask the chef if he would try to cook that orange fungus.
🙂 Thanks very much, Paol
What a nice shot of the orange fungus. Love the ponies and your typical recount of supper.
Thanks very much, Cindy
something awesome about hearing “the sun returned” and then seeing the photos of life – and that fungus is bright!
Thanks very much, Yvette
Have s great day
I must admit that is the largest fungus ever seen. The depiction of donkeys and ponies is spot on.
Thanks very much, Uma
Great photo – to catch that scratch, Derrick.
Thanks a lot, Roland
Is that fungi like mushrooms? I’ve never seen any that big and beautiful before.
The rain is always good for all of nature…plants, trees, animals, insect, human-beans, etc. 🙂
I never ever ever tire of seeing the horses and donkeys! I think of them often and wonder if they are okay…finding water, food, shade, safety.
HUGS!!! 🙂
Thanks very much, Carolyn. It is like mushrooms – but growing on trees. I don’t think it is edible to humans, but something has nibbled that one. I’ve never seen such a bright one before.
Thanks for sharing what you know about it with me. I’ve never seen one like that before.
How glad to read your descriptions … soothe your soul with your photos and travel me !! Be always good !!!!!!!
Very many thanks, Efi
Nice pics.
Thank you, Sherry
Thanks for keeping informed on the wildlife and water supplies, Derrick. ( You knew eventually I’d ask). The ponies are looking great, but do the donkeys look a bit thin or is that just the camera angle?
I thought I’d save you having to 🙂 Partly camera angle, but they were all pretty young. Thanks a lot, GP
The fungus picture is beautiful, especially the colour…
First I’ve ever seen, Maniparna. Thanks very much
Tallest and most beautiful fungus I’ve ever seen!
Me, too, Byung. Thank you very much,
Who but our creator would have imagined a tree fungus beautifully designed? We have more rain and more big mushrooms than I ever remember here. I’m glad the ponies and donkeys have an abundance of water. Lovely photos of mama and foal.
Thanks very much, JoAnna
Beautiful images Derrick, Loved that specimen of tree fungus.. 🙂 Natures frills
A good word, frills, Sue. Thanks very much
🙂
I feel for the Mum. I’ve been scratching since the full moon when we watched it rise at the lake. The mosquitoes were dive-bombing us.
Ouch and ouch ad infinitum
Great pictures of the hoofed folk 🙂
Thanks very much, Inese
Best fungus photo ever!
Amazing sight, Quercus. Thanks very much
Hard to imagine horses having a good scratch, is that something you get to see often or is it a rarity?
They often scratch, Brian. Against tree branches and, legs in the air, on their backs. I have photographed a few. Maybe I’ll catch some more. Thanks very much