Lacework

Early this morning Jackie ventured into the garden with her camera to

sweep some cobwebs. Lingering raindrops reveal the arachnid lacework and the length of their funambulist ropes.

The Assistant Photographer also photographed colourful coreopsis in Margery’s Bed;

vibrant Virginia creeper draping the Westbrook Arbour;

and the moisture-laden Rose Garden with its backcloth of mist.

Later in the morning we drove to Milford on Sea pharmacy for a repeat prescription, then to Wessex Photographic in Lymington for a spare ink cartridge.

Shortly before noon we continued to Beaulieu Heath, atop a small hillock on which stood three walkers.

It must have been a relative of Nugget’s perched on a prickly spire because we had left him at home.

There was sprinkling of assorted mushrooms among the browned heather, the spiky gorse, the rough grass and the trailing brambles.

Jackie also photographed a model plane enthusiast with his aircraft.

 

 

A pair of ponies, one chestnut and one grey, blended and contrasted with the russet bracken.

As they each ambled across the road, passing the 40 m.p.h. sign painted on the tarmac, I reflected as so often that impact from a vehicle travelling at this speed would surely result in fatal injury.

Some quite large foals, like this one at East End, are still being suckled by their mothers.

Early morning mist usually results in sunny afternoons. So it was today when Nugget supervised Jackie’s planting of tulips.

“Where’s Nugget?” (36).

This evening we dined on Jackie’s succulent sausages in red wine; creamy mashed potatoes; crunchy carrots and cauliflower, with which she drank Blue Moon and I drank more of the Fleurie.

 

102 comments

  1. I need to get some tulips in the ground this week too – thanks for reminding me – and I found nugget in this #36 – (tweet tweet)

  2. Alarmed that either I was losing my sight or you were losing the ability to count I biggified the three walkers and was much relieved on both counts. Like an ostrich young Nugget believes if he can’t see us, we can’t see him. <3

    1. Thanks very much, Leslie. It’s not new – I have just gone back to the old, Classic, editor – and it takes quite along time to upload pictures individually – but at least I have more control.

  3. The one pony looks like he’s posing for the photographer. Jackie is a talented photographer, too. So much talent under one roof!

  4. I can almost hear how muffled sounds would be in that shroud of mist. I hope Jackie didn’t make too many arachnids homeless. After all, they may assist Nugget in his food foraging needs in the coming winter. I understand robins are also fruit eaters, so do you think he’ll head south in search?

    1. None at all in fact as I could see them I could duck under them, no sweeping was done! As long as they don’t climb on me I like spiders in the garden.

      1. I have explained my double entendre with ‘sweep’ – as supported by Miriam-Webster among other dictionaries. :” to cover the entire range of
        his eyes swept the horizon” Perhaps I was being too clever.

    2. Thanks very much, Gwen. I have explained my double entendre with ‘sweep’ – as supported by Miriam-Webster among other dictionaries. :” to cover the entire range of
      his eyes swept the horizon” Perhaps I was being too clever.

  5. Enjoyed your spider webs Derrick, and I absolutely love any pictures that captures early morning mists such as yours, they provide a great background to any rural scene I believe.
    Great post as to be expected.

  6. Jackie’s photos are wonderful, as are yours. Those spider webs are amazing, and thanks for “funambulist.” I’m glad Nugget is still helping. πŸ™‚

    1. Shelly and Ron gave me a calendar featuring tear off pages for each day. Funambulist featured the day before. I might remember it now :). Thanks very much, Merril

  7. Derrick, once again, wonderful garden pictures. Thank you for the β€˜your’. I’ve been negligent in commenting. Hope to catch up You’ve been well, I hope. And why wouldn’t you be with those delicious sounding sausages. My mouth is watering…num, num, num!

  8. I don’t remember which of the spiders do this, but some eat their webs at night and rebuild them the next day. As I recall, it’s both nourishing for the spiders, and a way to avoid letting predators know where they are. It’s all quite complicated out there in nature, but the photos of these webs are beautiful!

  9. The photographic assistant is close to being a master. The spiders seem to have provided impetus for those fetching shots. Those complete webs look mesmerising. You don’t seem to have been able to hide Nugget challengingly in this one.

  10. I love the atmosphere at this time of year – wherever there are trees! The cobwebs look brilliant, by the way. Hopefully, there will never be a casualty on that 40 mph stretch you featured.

  11. (If Nugget sings he’s a male) Looks like we’re finally getting towards the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness. And it’s nice too, to see the Leprechaun Air Force keeping us all safe

  12. Fabulous photos, Jackie!
    That is one artistic, hardworking spider you have in your garden! Beautiful webs!
    Your photos are lovely, too, Derrick!
    Hey, Nugget! I see you!
    Tulips! How wonderful! I can’t wait to see them bloom! Will they be the color shown on the packaging?
    The model-plane guy looks like he’s saying something important!
    HUGS!!! πŸ™‚
    PS…I am off to look up the word “funambulist”. πŸ™‚

    1. Many thanks, Carolyn. Well Nugget spotted. The tulips will be as portrayed on the packaging – they are considered to be the darkest, nearest to black, variety

  13. Those spiders put up masterpieces of construction overnight, don’t they?! Great photos and you even made the Wheres Nugget easy ! You must have been in a good mood, eh?

  14. Hello Derrick, I was wondering, with your permission, and with due credit to you and your site, if could use the picture I like yesterday, the on of the white in the forest, as a feature photo for a poem I’ve just written… Actually I’ll paste the poem for you here.(I might do a bit editing yet)
    A White Pony

    If I were to be reincarnated
    I’m sure I’d be a tall white pony
    A flashy show jumping horse
    Who knows his arduous course
    Hurdling coloured bars
    And clearing brush fences

    A swimmer, I’ve always been
    So the perilous water hazard
    Would be a simple breeze
    A shadow passed over, with ease
    As my reflection in the pond
    Magically vanished under my riders wand

    Turning sharply on the pitch
    Nearing the finishing stretch
    I see more obstacles ahead
    The doubles and triples, I dread
    Without fear, forward I bound
    Up, over and gliding down
    My red-head rider, she’s feeling proud
    Hearing loud applause, we bow to the crowd

      1. Thank you Derrick, that’s so kind of you, I’m quite excited to use your photo. It be a while before I post the poem, it’s 2.50am here and I must get back to sleep ??

          1. I’ve just posted the poem “White Pony” Derrick, and I’m very pleased with the final presentation… Again thank you Derrick, I truly appreciate your generosity….

  15. Amazing how much harder it is to see Nugget when his back is turned – but I found him! This is a beautiful collection of photos – Well done, both of you!

  16. I concur with the comments of your other readers about the lovely photos. I would like to know what the model plane enthusiast is saying as he stands there with arms akimbo.

    1. Thanks very much, Liz. He was talking to a man who had parked beside him to walk his dog. There is a sign saying that the area is solely for a model plane club. I’m sure a good writer could do something with that πŸ™‚

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