Much of this very hot day was taken up with dead heading and watering.
Soon after 4 p.m. Jackie drove us to Eyeworth Pond and back.
At this time, ponies and cattle, although they did emerge later, made use of what shade they could find. These were spotted en route to Fritham,
where other cattle lay down in their field.
Foals are growing up fast. On a green above the pond this one manages its own grooming.
Water lilies are now beginning to bloom on the pond,
where a few ducks paddled.
Most of these birds, however,
occupied a dormitory on the bank.
Bright sunlight produces abstract reflections on the surface.
Motley cattle grazed on the hillside as we drove back up to Fritham and, via Hordle Chinese Take Away, to home.
With our usual excellent fare from Mr Chan, we both drank Tsing Tao beer this evening.
Fabulous photos of feathers and reflections Derrick! <3
Thanks very much, Pauline
Love the reflections! My Derek enjoyed your photos. too. He said the worse Chinese fare he’s ever eaten was in London. 🙂
I do hope Derek’s meal was not in Soho, Jill. Thanks very much
My eye sight is not very good, is that close up of the bird’s feathers?
If so very beautiful
All of the photos are beautiful, I love animals.
Especially birds I have a few that live outside my window. They wake me up every morning
Thank you very much, Cinnamon. I’m sorry about your sight. Yes, they are cropped close ups of the feathers
You’re welcome.
And thank you for answering my question.
Also I’m legally blind but its ok. I have a little bit of sight which is good enough for me.
Blessings to you and your family Derrick.
Keep the great blogging your blog is one of my favorites.
Thanks again, Cinnamon
Good feather work. I like the idea of motley cattle.
Thanks very much, Tootlepedal
Stunning photos, Derrick. I always love the reflections, but I also particularly liked the water lilies and the foal with its shadow.
Thank you very much, Merril. I took one without the shadow before spotting the potential
Excellent!
Water lilies and lined up ducks present an excellent aquatic facet of Nature. You have captured them well for your readers.
Thank you very much, Uma
The pond covered in water lilies is very impressive, a great photo Derrick
Thanks very much, Ivor
Absolutely lovely photos (again) Derrick. We have a duck pond in our Domaine, but their dormitory is on an island in the middle of the lake though they do stray into other parts of the Domaine. However, I’ve had little luck in taking their photos.
Thanks very much, Sheree. Maybe they’ll wander over to you
Cute foal! And lovely duck photos – feathers look gorgeous! ?
Thanks very much, Wendy
Love the variety and the reflections are lovely.
Thanks very much, Sue. I do strive for variety
Me too, different coloured cow each day! ?
🙂
The feather fotos are delightful! I love the differing angular alignments and the ‘shimmering’ effect of those not-yet-preened feathers.
You have some of the shaggiest coated cattle i have ever seen! I thought the ponies and donkey’s were woolly, but the cattle have them beat! 🙂
I really like how you captured the young foal also! 🙂
Thanks very much, Bob
Love your water photos! And the water lilies are so beautiful!
And I especially love that you’ve got your ducks in a row! 😉 HA! 😀
Their feathers are so stunning! Great close-up idea for photos! 🙂
The little foal might be ready to play Shadow Tag…sweet photo, Derrick! 🙂
HUGS for you and Jackie, and some HUGS for your Mum! 🙂
Very many thanks, Carolyn. The ducks in a row was an excellent quip
? ? ? ? ?
I especially like the water lilies.
Curious weather this week. Hot and sunny yesterday, overcast and dull today. Heading down to Swansea for the weekend so will be interested to see what it is like there.
Good luck, Andrew. Thanks a lot
Lovely photos. We are still not in summer.
Thanks very much, Rupali
Sounds like a beautiful day divided between productive gardening and serene countryside!!
Indeed, GP. Thanks very much
Those watery green shots exude a refreshing coolness which belies the real temperatures, Derrick. We still have the unusually strong winds today, not sure if they have been a feature for you or are exclusive to the counties further west.
Yes, we do have the winds, Sandra. Many thanks
Feathers are so beautiful. A marvel of nature. And, of course, that foal. Adorable!
Thank you very much, Laurie
Beautiful pond. Great captures of these birds!
Thank you very much, Amy
Great photos Derrick.
Thanks very much, Gary
As always Derrick you’ve given us some fabulous photos to admire.
Thanks very much, Jerry
The goal grooming itself wins the prize!
Thanks very much, Jan
You must have a good camera to take the close-up of the feathers.
It’s a Sigma 600mm lens – and those pictures were quite heavily cropped. Thanks very much, Helen
Nonetheless clever, Derrick.
🙂
The foal photo is award-worthy, as is the mallard whose back feathers look like something Alex Colville would have sculpted had he been a sculptor.
Thank you very much, Sue
I once worked with a load of dead heads, I’d have sacked the damned lot of them had I have had my way
🙂 I think we can identify, Brian. Thanks very much
All beautiful photos, Derrick! The one of the ducks lined up reminds me of the old expression over here, ‘getting your ducks in a row’.
Thank you very much, Lavinia. We have a similar expression 🙂
Beautiful photos. Bucolic and peaceful.
Thank you very much, LL/PS. Good to see the word bucolic which we rather like