“Welcome To The World Of Flies”

Now I am going to throw a spanner in the works of selection. I have just remembered ‘The Drift’, the second half of which post contains a number of pictures which must be included. It is such a unique New Forest event. I don’t wish to impose more work on my readers, but any comments would be welcome.

I have culled the 5 least popular of my 19 and added the four above from The Drift. At least the shortlist is reduced by one.

When we visited Wessex Photo yesterday I was encouraged to enter that company’s own competition on the subject of Spring. This gave me the opportunity to submit

this jackdaw gathering nesting material from a cow’s hide, taken from my post of 3rd May. I had rejected it from my first selection for the Everton competition because it could have been taken anywhere.

A brief walk around the garden this afternoon gleaned

these diascia which have survived two winters outside in their pot;

these marvellously scented sweet peas having forced their way through paving beside the kitchen wall;

above the campanula and geraniums the red peonies first photographed in bud;

this velvety climbing rose now springing from the arch Aaron erected over the Shady Path;

and, in the Rose Garden Gloriana, For Your Eyes Only; Summer Wine and Madame Alfred Carriere above the entrance arch beside

Festive Jewel nudging me for a dead heading session.

Later we took a short drive into the forest. Warborne Lane, outside Lymington, is so narrow that we just coasted along in the wake of these two horse riders. The two cyclists lurking behind the hedge had no choice but to wait their turn for a place on the road. We waited for them, too.

On the moorland beside St Leonards Road cattle and ponies lazed or grazed.

So bright was the head of this wagtail darting about that it seemed to be wearing a daisy hat.

The twitching of his mother’s tail as she reacted to the troublesome flies made it difficult for her offspring to latch onto his milk supplier.

Eventually he set off on a frisky trot

soon returning to shelter behind his Mum.

The flies were getting to him too. Dropping to the ground he rolled and kicked around for a while,

then tried to nudge them away.

“Welcome to the world of flies” exclaimed Jackie as he gave up and rose to his feet again.

On our way home we stopped at Hordle Chinese Take Away for this evening’s dinner with which Jackie drank Hoegaarden and I drank Carinena El Zumbido Garnacha Syrah 2017.

51 comments

  1. The second drift photo, the lone fellow standing in the middle of a pile of horses looks good to me – but it might be because the other photos have made me aware of the activity and numbers….. I also think todays photo of the ambler and bicycle waiters is a typical New Forest shot, though not as shiny and sharp as your usual offerings due to all that sunshine I think. Poor little pony!!

  2. I agree with Pauline about the second drift photo, but I think I like the ones in the original post better. Are these for a competition? I’m confused.
    I also like the photo of the Horse Riders on the lane, if that’s the other one she meant. I like the dappled sunlight effect. That little foal is adorable–but I feel sorry for him with the flies.

    1. Many thanks, Merril. You are all putting me off The Drift photos – rightly so. The horse riders on the lane are making me think, too. It is a competition for a local fete.

    1. Many thanks, Andrew. Very helpful. I think you are right about The Drift pictures; and I am intrigued by the two riders in the lane one. Will definitely consider.

  3. In the first 4 photos, I like the 4th one bestest.
    All of your photos of birds and animals are always wonderful. The two riders in the lane is so beautiful. And the roses and greenery are so pretty.
    That poor little foal bothered by flies. šŸ™ There is need of some frog friends to eat the flies! šŸ™‚
    Kermit the Frog says, “Times fun when you’re having flies!” šŸ˜›
    HUGS!!! šŸ™‚

  4. It is such a unique New Forest event.
    I always believed unique stood alone, “It is a unique New Forest event”.but I bow to your superior command and understanding of our language

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