The sparrows are back in their regular nest made from
an ineffective burglar alarm.
Mother takes her turn, but it is mainly father who stands guard from various vantage points and, looking this way and that, vociferously repels all boarders.
We lunched with Elizabeth and Mum at Woodpeckers. Mum enjoyed an omelette followed by apricots and ice cream. My sister and I chose an excellent steak and ale pie with creamed potatoes and vegetables; Jackie favoured mackerel and orange salad which she pronounced very good. We three guests all chose light and tasty date pudding and ice cream.
Afterwards leaving Brockenhurst by an unnamed narrow lane, Jackie and I continued further into the forest.
Three cyclists rested on a rail outside the village.
Until I approached too close we watched a group of deer among the trees at Boldrewood. Some of these creatures had lost their horns. I understand they will grow again.
On the road to Linwood I photographed ponies in the landscape,
and again on the hillside at Appleslade.
We simply dined this evening on beef and mustard sandwiches.
Well, at least someone made good use of the burglar alarm
🙂 Thanks very much, Drew
The nest looks a little bit precarious. It’s a good job baby birds are very light!
True, Susan. I really don’t know what it is like inside. Thanks very much
Wonderful images Derrick.
Thanks very much, Rupali
It’s nice to see those deer grazing. Good to hear a little of your mother at her new abode.
Thanks very much, Pauline
Papa Sparrow looks quite alert, and the deer portraits are wonderful, Derrick. I really like the photos of them amidst the trees.
Your mother is fortunate to be living in a place that has such good food.
Thanks very much, Merril. We agree that Woodpeckers is unusually good.
Gorgeous photos, Derrick. The forest is so green and lush. I’m happy you mum is doing well.
Thanks very much, Jill
Good food at your Mom’s assisted living home. Nice shots of the deer.
Thanks very much, Laurie
A great use for the defunct alarm box. Sounds like you lunched like kings and dined like paupers. Just kidding. 😅
🙂 Nice kid, Sylva. Many thanks
Poor sparrows are nearly extinct, courtesy Mao. The male partner is a worthy guardian. The cyclists make for a great storytelling shot. I wonder what they are chatting about! As for the horns, deer akin to goats might regrow they horn for all I know.
Many thanks, Uma. We stopped for me to photograph three ponies – but I chose the cyclists instead. I just missed a shot of the man and the woman on his left clinking drink containers
Your sparrow photos are superb! It is joy to watch birds and learn from them! 🙂 The ones I’ve observed have been wonderful parents to their young.
Oh, it sounds like such a delicious lunch and good time spent with your Mum! 🙂 I’m so glad! I continue to pray for her health and happiness! 🙂
I’m glad the deer and ponies are finding some greens to eat, too 🙂
HUGS!!! 🙂
Thank you very much Carolyn X
At my daughter’s previous home the deer paid early morning visits to her woodland garden, and since moving back here the family misses that. Never ever seen deer in our garden but the other day a neighbour told me a couple had visited his, he too has never seen them up here before.
Thanks very much, Sue. There are many in the New Forest area
I always enjoy following you on a walk. Thank you for this new sharing and beautiful images
Thank you very much, Yoshimi
All that and date pudding! I think you’ve got a story with the three cyclists. Who’s with who? Is the young man trying to build up a harem etc?
He was definitely paying more attention to the lady on his left
Wonderful shots of the local fauna, Derrick.
It does amaze me that in such a comparatively small island nation with so many people on it, who all need land for agriculture, that your photos manage to show so much untouched natural countryside with barely a trace of human interference in it. 🙂
Long may it remain so! 🙂
It has been a National Park for a good ten years, Bob. There was much controversy with developers opposing this. Thanks very much
I could well imagine! 🙁
I should have realised that it was not just good fortune that this area was left ‘undeveloped’. It’s nice to know it’s natural value has been officially recognised and mostly maintained/protected. 🙂
Good morning with a poem Derrick because in the town i am living i can not see sparrows!!
“Chittukuruvi muttham kodhuthu” (meaning: The sparrow kissed me) brings back fond memories of our younger days.
Where Have The Birds Gone? By Hema Ravi
Seed eating passerine bird,
Small, pink legged, conical bill
Grey brown, black throated males,
Grey brown with eye bordered females,
Black and tawny streaks on back,
Black winged feathers with white patches
Grayish white breasted birds.
Busying themselves in spring with
Straw, paper, twigs and grass
Nesting on low branches, in our homes, in sheds.
Children watched with interest nests in their homes,
Small birds perched on ledges or lofts.
Today, these have become a rarity,
Where have these sparrows gone?
Thank you very much, Efi. A beautiful description. We are so lucky to have so many in our garden
Υοu are so lucky you are living in PARADISE!!!!
Kisses!!!!!!!!
More eye-candy, Derrick!
Thanks very much, Mike
Oh well at least they have a home now ☺️ so cute 😊 Beautiful pictures! What a wonderful place! I bet she likes it very much!
It is excellent, Ribana. We are all lucky to have found it. Thanks very much
Birds at work – ponies and humans at rest – a beautiful day in the forest!!
Thanks very much, GP
I loved all these photos, but especially the sweet deer pictures
Thanks very much, Pleasant
Those deer are enchanting.
Thanks very much, Lisa
I trust that it was proper hot English mustard not that softie sweet stuff that passes as mustard with our Yankee cousins.
Nothing better than a decent roast beef sandwich with mustard.
Is there any other mustard, Brian? Thanks very much
I love the deer and the birds. You live in a beautiful place.
We are very lucky, Alys. Thanks very much