This afternoon we drove to Mudeford where
marauding gulls hadn’t yet given up scavenging from a fishing boat that had unloaded its catch. In an attempt to secure a better angle for photographing them I perched on the lip of a large container. What I hadn’t realised was that I would tip over onto the pool of water in the centre. I yelled a bit as I leaped off. This caused a couple seated on a nearby bench to move over for me. I expressed some hesitation about taking this lower seat on account of my knees. This prompted a discussion in which I acquainted the gentleman with what he was in for when his wait for his replacement was over.
A motor boat sped along the surface alongside the quay.
We drove on to the north west of the forest, taking this lane through Woodgreen, where
pairs of twins in a sheep field raced each other for their mother’s dugs.
The woodland at Hale Purlieu is owned by The National Trust. I wandered around it for a while, looking down over the neighbouring landscape occupied by a solitary white cow,
and noticed ants darting along their route across the criss-crossing tree roots beneath my feet.
This Red Bull can tossed onto a lane at Hale rested inches from the bluebells, stitchwort, and other wild flowers on the verges.
From my passenger seat I noticed that a quartet of deer were grazing among the ponies on the moors bordering Roger Penny Way. They occupied a slope beneath a ridge, rendering them out of sight when I disembarked to approach them. It was therefore with some trepidation that I gingerly crossed a dry ditch and made my way across pitted terrain, being unsure whether they would still be there when I was able to look further down. In fact they were still chomping away. Eventually, of course they got wind of me. Taking an alert pose I overheard their conversation in which they pointed out the interloper and discussed what to do. “Let’s scarper” cried one, and they rapidly disappeared into the landscape.
Ponies on the slopes ignored them.
New foals are becoming commonplace now. Here is one of today’s keeping up with its mother.
Back at home this evening we dined on cheese centred smoked mackerel fishcakes; creamy mashed potato; piquant cauliflower cheese; ratatouille, carrots and cabbage, with which Jackie drank Hoegaarden and I finished the Malbec.
I’m glad you weren’t injured when you tipped over. Beautiful photos–as always–but I wish you had overheard more of the deer’s conversation. 🙂
Thanks very much, Merril
The dodgy-kneed deer whisperer – I see a whole new career for you 🙂
😀
🙂 Thanks very much, Pauline
Heh, heh, heh 😀
Lovely photos of the forest in spring, brilliant pics of the deer
Thanks a lot, Rob
The lane through Woodgreen is just lovely. It looks quite peaceful and spring-like.
It was, Linda. Thanks very much
Beautiful photos, Derrick, except for the Red Bull of course. Was the gentleman put off getting any older after your conversation: 😉
Poor chap was a good 10 years younger than me. Thanks very much, Sylvia.
The pictures are a delight, as always, with the exception of the bull one, which can make one see red.
Once again, Leslie, you make an observation from which I refrained 🙂 Thanks very much
Please don’t injure yourself for our entertainment, Derrick. Gorgeous shots! Of course I lingered on the forest photo. 🙂
Very many thanks, Jill
Scarpering is an unwelcome tendency that is rife in the animal kingdom. Do they not realise that old people can’t crawl around on the bellies any more? Where is the compassion?
So true, Tootlepedal 🙂 Thanks very much
In Scarborough you dont mess with the gulls. True hooligans.
Thanks very much, Gary
Love the word…very descriptive! Be careful out there, Derrick. Please don’t take any risks on our account!
Thanks very much, Diane
That is a fantastic run on the seaside, meadows and the moors. I see that your knees and photographic equipment emerged unscathed in the tumble and that’s heartening.
Thanks very much, Uma
Glad you are okay! Often photographers have to assume some weird, or kinda’-dangerous, positions for the sake of their art. Always be careful!
I have friends who don’t like gulls…I’ve always thought them handsome and I enjoy watching their antics!
HUGS!!! 🙂
Many thanks, Carolyn X
“Scarper” isn’t a frequent word for me but I looked up its origin: “mid 19th century: probably from Italian scappare ‘to escape’, influenced by rhyming slang Scapa Flow ‘go’.”
I don’t know what comes first, the Italian or the Scapa Flow. Presumably, the Italian was coming into use when the Royal ,Navy started using Scapa Flow around 1905-1910.
I imagine you are right, John. It’s the Londoner in me 🙂
I had never heard the word before, but it’s a good one! Derrick used it so well I figured out what it meant through context. And here, you provide some helpful research.
Careful…. you might get the sack!!! 😉
Even more beautiful photo’s today Derrick! 🙂 Great ‘action shots’ of the gulls.
I misread your: ‘raced each other for their mother’s dugs.’ for ‘raced each other for their mother’s drugs.’ it took me a second or two!! 😉
I love the photo where they notice the unsteady of foot interloper!
Do take care! 🙂
Thanks very much, Bob
Derrick you have a great eye for composition. I love the idea of you as a dodgy-kneed deer whisperer.
Thanks very much, Sheree
Lovely landscape – and the little horse is so cute.
Lovely pictures and so varied.
Thanks very much, Sue. I’m pleased you appreciate the variety
Oh, absolutely!
Wonderful sharing – as ever. You have something different to offer to us.
WARM REGARDS
Thank you very much, Harbans
Derrick sir thanks and regards.
I love seeing free animals. They are friends.
They are, indeed, Micheline. Thank you very much
If the Head Gardener was ever tempted to write her recipes down and create a cookbook, I can guarantee it would be a best-seller, just among your blog followers alone. 😀
Very many thanks, Widders. Jackie will like this. She is not into recipes, although she can be occasionally persuaded to offer the method.
Great shots of the gulls, and that first forest photo is lovely! You also captured the deer nicely before they had their discussion. How fortunate you got to listen in on some of it. We’re not all so lucky, ha ha!
🙂 Many thanks, Crystal
Motor boat??? Looks like a motor ski to me, nut then what would I know
Those sheep look like they need a decent haircut, perhaps that bloke who chops your locks could give ’em a go
Thanks very much, Brian. I expect you are right – what would I know?
Commonplace but oh so sweet.
Thanks very much, Laurie
Litterbugs strike again!
Your forest photos are dreamy, as always, Derrick, but aren’t you becoming a tad too adventurous for your health?
Thanks for reading, and for your concern, Dolly. I am trying to be sensible
Your knees will thank you for being sensible, my friend