Jackie has not neglected the front garden in her clearing and planting of the last few days. This morning I gathered and bagged up her cuttings from the gravel path.
Erigerons, day lilies, Hot Chocolate rose and fuchsia feature here.
Clematises, nasturtiums, petunias, lobelias, and solanum currently bloom in front of the garage door.
This afternoon we left the sunshine behind at home as steady rain tracked us to the North of the forest.
Coats glistening, a trio of ponies took shelter among trees at Ibsley;
further on, at Frogham, more shaggy yet bedraggled donkeys, including our first foals of the season found their own shelter.
This evening we dined on minted lamb burgers; potatoes pulverised into a creamy mash; crunchy carrots and broccoli; and tender green beans with which Jackie drank Hoegaarden and I drank more of the Pinot Noir.
the foals are absolutely adorable! 🙂
Thank you very much, Wendi
🙂
Donkey foals!! So cute despite being bedraggled and I’m sure rather smelly ….. Great photography Derrick!!
Thanks very much, Pauline. Actually they are not smelly 🙂
Good to know – makes them more appealing! <3
🙂
You know I love the ponies, but I have to admit those young donkeys are downright adorable!!
🙂 Many thanks, GP
Love those donkeys
Thank you very much, Sheree
I suspect that Jackie does not neglect anything, especially the garden. It’s beautiful.
I love those donkey faces!
Many thanks, Merril
Oh how beautiful
Thanks very much, Cinnamon
You’re welcome
How sweet. The little one at the bottom seems to have fully grown ears!
Right? Those ears are HUGE! So cute.
Like our babies – head too big for its body, Susan. Thanks very much
I have a feeling that there is very little, if anything at all, that Jackie neglects, Derrick.
Baby donkeys are adorable!
True on both counts, Dolly. Many thanks
My pleasure, Derrick
Those Donkey foals are so cute, thank you Derrick.
Thanks very much, Ivor
Very sweet those little donkeys, much enjoyed Derrick!
Thanks very much, Agnes
What a treat! Cute indeed.
Thank you very much, Jessica
So darned cute!
Thanks a lot, Laurie
I am sorry about your gloomy weather. As I am coming south this weekend, I hope that things improve.
They are due to, Tootlepedal. Many thanks
The garage door display is gorgeous, Derrick! So many of the animals look very curious as to what you’re doing. 🙂 I want a little donkey!
Many thanks, Jill. Here you are: https://youtu.be/dVQPmtjHzh4
Oh those donkeys! They make my heart ache they are so sweet.
Very many thanks, Sue
I love the baby season and loved seeing your latest arrivals.
Richard brought up a couple of new mums with their calves today, making me very happy in the process!
🙂 Thanks very much, Sue
Beautiful sir.
Many thanks, Gary
Those donkey foals are adorable!
Thanks very much, Lavinia. We drove through the rain seeking them
Oh, i love those donkey babies and their mamas hovering so close. Lovely!
They are, indeed, Jodie. Thanks very much
: )
Donkeys are so cute. It’s nice to see them out and about their business.
It certainly is, Lisa. We had been wondering why we hadn’t seen any foals yet – the ponies seem to come earlier
Thanks very much
aren’t they just the sweetest little creatures
They really are, Brian. Thanks very much.
So adorable ❤️
Thanks very much, Laleh
My pleasure.❤️
What could they possibly be building in Midforest? Those ponies and foals look absolutely deflated, but the rains will bring more green shoots to feast upon.
Thanks very much, Uma. In mid forest any building must follow the footprint of what it replaces – nothing new
Wait a second.
Those donkeys just had a foal? And they are roaming free?
If I am not wrong (unlikely).
How amazing it that!
I often think we should get donkeys for The Holler.
Because they are donkeys, of course, which is good enough by itself, in my book.
But also because they are basically the only animal that will terrify the packs of coyotes we have here at The Holler.
Plus they are incredibly funny.
Have you ever seen a donkey with a dog?
They seem to despise canines. They run after them with a vengeance.
Dogs love it, and laugh, and run circles around them.
Coyotes are scared of them though. They get serious about coyotes.
Thanks very much, Cindy. The donkeys and ponies do fend for themselves. The donkeys seem very gentle to me – I haven’t seen them with a dog, but one hangs around an ice cream vendor who gives it a loaded cornet from his cab.
I love that! <3
OH, the precious donkey faces! I wish I could adopt a donkey! 🙂
Thank you for sharing all the ponies and donkeys with us!
HUGS!!! 🙂
Thank you very much, Carolyn X
You’re welcome very much, Derrick! 🙂
How do you manage to restrain yourselves from giving that poor bedraggled young foal standing up a great big hug??? 🙂
Great picks of the donkeys, Jackie. 🙂
Hope the weather picks up soon – for you and the poor animals.
Knowing they carry ticks helps 🙂 Good weather today. Thanks very much, Bob.
Ahhh – that just might to the tic, err, trick!
Wonderful shots Derrick.
The donkey foals are so cute.
Thank you very much, Rupali
It certainly does take 2, doesn’t it?!? You and Jackie are a great team. I really like the garage door planting with trellis. What a brilliant idea!
The garage is now our library. Thanks very much, Cheryl
So cute 🥰
Thanks very much, Helen
I’m going to show my ignorance here because I cannot figure it out. Are the ponies and donkeys gone wild or are they free-range animals owned by a particular group? Is there a barrier to keep them from spreading to more urban areas?
The only large mammals in my area are native whitetail deer and coyotes, and they can show up anytime, anywhere.
Sensible questions, Jean. They are owned by commoners (who live in the forest) with ancient pasturage rights. They do roam free and are rounded up annually for a health check. Cattle grids and wire fences keep them from the urban areas. Thanks very much
Love the little mostly-white one with the back legs crossed. 🙂
So beautiful and endearing. Thanks very much, Widders
Love it! So cute!
Thanks very much, Dwight