SINGLE IMAGES CAN BE ENLARGED WITH A CLICK THAT MAY BE REPEATED. CLICKING ON THOSE IN A GROUP ACCESS THEIR GALLERY WHICH CAN BE VIEWED FULL SIZE BY SCROLLING DOWN AND CHECKING BOX AT BOTTOM RIGHT. THEY CAN BE FURTHER ENLARGED WITH A CLICK OR TWO.
I took a couple of strolls around the garden with a camera this morning. Sculpture Florence turned her back on the early light streaming from the Rose Garden.
Overnight rain had refreshed fuchsias, geraniums, hydrangeas, and dahlias, in one of which
a bedraggled bee risked drowning.
Our red hot pokers are over now, but other kniphofias of more autumnal hues stand erect in the Weeping Birch and other beds.
White solanum continues to drape itself over the dead tree beside the New Bed.
Spiders lurk everywhere. Look closely at the close-up of the hanging basket at the corner of the Phantom Path.
This afternoon Jackie drove me into the forest.
Along the Rhinefield Road a rather young foal foraged far from his parent who looked to be away in the distance.
A little further along a forest sprite impersonated the upper section of a dead tree escaping the clutches of its parent body.
Along the Rhinefield Ornamental Drive dry layers of fallen leaves and pine cones offered a spring to my step and to those of a lone walker. A carved cone marked a route.
Passing the trough on Wootton Common we noticed that it was surrounded by cattle vying for a drink. By the time we had turned round to park the car near the animals, they were all trooping off along the moor.
Ah, not quite all. Just one diminutive creature had been left behind. In vain did this Marshmallow cow, time and again, circle the trough attempting to slake her thirst. Even her neck was just too short. Eventually she hit on a super wheeze. She tried the human spout. I wonder if the next two-legged drinkers will have any idea about who had preceded them.
This evening the three of dined on Jackie’s roast beef; Yorkshire pudding; pigs in blankets; roast potatoes, sweet and normal; crunchy carrots, tender runner beans; and gravy solid with onions and mushrooms. Elizabeth and I drank La vieille ferme 2017, while the Culinary Queen drank Hoegaarden.
Love that you captured that ‘forest sprite’ Derrick – and the beautiful forest walk was most enjoyable – I ambled through there with my coffee in hand 🙂 And finally the very clever marshmallow – now she may well teach all the others to do that too.
🙂 Cattle must be more intelligent than ponies. Glad you got the post in time for coffee. Many thanks, Pauline X
That section of dead tree may have been your verderer friend in one of her many guises, keeping her eye on you.
Highly likely, Oglach. Many thanks
🙂
Very interesting today, Derrick, from the water fountain and garden to the forest and the nymph!
Thanks very much, GP
A lovely tiny break from work to walk with you…glad you pointed out the forest sprite…I might have missed him in my haste. 🙂
Many thanks, Doodle. He’s quite a nippy creature
Another fine, full and fascinating day, expertly recorded Derrick.
Very many thanks, Roland
I love your photos, as always.
That dinner, however sounds like a triumph. Someday I am going to try to make yorkshire pudding, perhaps with the next pot roast I make
Thanks very much, Pleasant. Good luck with the Yorkshire pudding.
I especially like the Sprite. Garden pictures are as wonderful as ever and a real inspiration. Today in the garden I have been painting fences. Tedious but essential maintenance!
Thanks very much, Andrew. A task I have always avoided 🙂
LOVE that little marshmallow cow. I’ve never seen such an animal. Your forest photos were especially lovely, and I enjoyed the spider in his web.
I agree with Pleasant Street: Jackie’s dinner sounds like a triumph!
Very many thanks, Jodie. It was quite a dinner
: )
Loved the forest walk, Derrick! Perhaps we need Sculpture Florence to watch over us as Hurricane Florence approaches. 🙂
Many thanks, Jill. I do hope you remain unscathed
I enjoyed the beautiful shadows in the sunlit forest, Derrick.
Thanks very much, Jane
Ha! So funny to think of a human sipping where a bovine had gone before.
I thought so, Susanne. 🙂 Many thanks
It’s always a great walk with your words and pictures, Derrick dear.<3
Thank you very much, Laleh
Always a pleasure ❤️
That’s definitely a wood sprite you’ve captured!
🙂 Many thanks, Leslie
What a refreshing posse of flowers, exotic and splendid, and mysterious, dark woods!
Thanks very much, Uma
Lovely shots as always Derrick.
Thanks very much, Arlene
Love the forest sprite!!!
Thanks a lot, Gael. I’ve been meaning to stop for that for a while
I enjoyed your descriptions as you traversed your garden (yes, I did see the tiny spider at her web) and then off to the forest. Who’s the sprite, now?
🙂 Not quite, Pauline. But nice thought. Thanks very much
The carved cone is a good idea – and I loved the stroll in your garden
Thanks very much, Yvette
OH! so many beautiful whimsical captures, Derricks! Raindrops on flowers, bees, spiders, forest sprite, sunlight shining in the forest, pinecones, etc! I especially love the little cow!!! 🙂 I laughed out loud at what you said about the two-legged drinkers who will drink water there next! 😀
HUGS!!! 🙂
Very many thanks for such close perusal and comments – as usual. Pleased you had a laugh. Many thanks, Carolyn X
it’s always a pleasure to come for a walk in your house. There is the nature, the horses that I really appreciate, then these cogs with fantastic hair lobgs
🙂
So many wonderful photos–again, Derrick, I can’t choose a favorite. I liked the raindrops on the geraniums, and the aptly named and captured wood sprite and the trail through the woods. . .That marshmallow calf is adorable–as well as determined.
Believe it or not, Merril, that is a fully grown member of this miniature Highland breed. Thanks very much
Oh–I guess I was influenced by the earlier photo of the foal. Still adorable though. 🙂
Absolutely
Your Gardens continue to look wo.derful Derrick!
Thanks very much, Gary
Wow the marshmallow cow is beautiful!
It is – and intelligent, too 🙂 Thanks a lot, Lynn
I like the sound of that gravy; onions & mushrooms, the WO hates mushrooms, so I never bother. :'(
Thanks very much, Brian. Some people pick mushrooms out of Jackie’s cooking 🙂
and I’d eat them
🙂