The best light of the day was forecast to be seen this morning. And so it proved.
Fairly early on we drove to Tesco’s for petrol; to New Milton Post Office for currency exchange and Christmas stamps; and to Brockenhurst, where, in common with New Milton,
poppies ahead of Armistice Day adorn the lampposts, before making our leisurely way to Hockeys farm shop for lunch.
Our first pause was at Wilverley where a pair of pensive ponies beside the road from Wootton paid no attention to two walkers on the opposite side –
they were more interested in their necking session.
Meanwhile a friendly horse rider emerged from the
autumn landscape,
more of which was seen in the forest scenes on either side of
Roger Penny Way.
Jackie decided that I blended in rather well with the environment.
Having, tentatively as always, in second gear, scaled Blissford Hill we encountered a shaggy calf using a scratching post beside Hyde Parish Hall.
Coming across a band of bulls further along the road I speculated about which one may be the father.
Somehow it didn’t seem politic to enquire too closely into the infant’s parentage.
This evening we dined on spicy pizza and plentiful fresh salad with which I finished the Merlot and Jackie didn’t.
Really beautiful photographs Derrick, as usual 😊
Thanks very much, John
Most welcome Derrick
He’s a very handsome bull, though clearly an admire but don’t touch type…… Just a touch more red on those trees and you may be mistaken for one on a walk! 😀
🙂 Many thanks, Pauline.
Pensive Ponies and Shaggy Calves – more lovely images of your ever-engaging hinterland.
Thanks very much, Roland.
Wonderful autumn colours.
x
Thanks very much, Melanie X
Safe politics are the best politics in some cases, as these bulls don’t seem ready for a polite discussion regarding genetics.
🙂 Many thanks, Dolly.
My pleasure, Derrick
Really gorgeous photos as always Derrick but I don’t like the way that bull was eyeing you up!
I think he was quite harmless – maybe. 🙂 Thanks very much, Sheree/
Great photos Derrick though I’d steer clear of that bull!
I work on the principal that if they are out they are OK. Thanks very much, Miriam.
Such beautiful landscape. Thank you for the lovely post!
Thanks very much, Anne Marie
Shaggy calf made me smile. She looks somewhere between a teddy bear and a trainee raging bull. I first thought the expression was aimed at you but realise it’s the scratching post she’s thinking about. I’m assuming it’s a she as she’s roaming freely!
Thanks very much, Susan.
Your final two paragraphs made me laugh. Wonderful photos!
The shaggy calf looks puzzled by the sign, and I really like the forest landscapes.
Thanks very much, Merril 🙂
🙂
That bull sure has his eye on you, Derrick! Roger Penny Way is gorgeous! I love the shaggy calf, too. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks very much, Jill.
Best to approach bulls with a certain amount of caution.
🙂 Thanks very much, Laurie.
HA! Yes, that might have been too touchy a subject! 😮 😀
The shaggy calf…sweet! (Sometimes you just gotta’ scratch those itches…even in public!)
The horny bulls…impressive! (Large and in-charge and watchful!)
Love your landscape photos…and Jackie’s photos of you as part of the landscape! 🙂
Horses necking!!! 😮 I averted my eyes! 😉 😛
One of the walks Coop and I take…a few roads away…the land backs up on a large ranch…the horses, cows, and bulls are fun to watch. And Coop is glad their is a fence between him and bulls…as Coop is snack-size!
HUGS!!! 🙂
Thanks very much, Carolyn. 🙂 X
You are a delightful embellishment to the landscape. Jackie is quite right.
🙂 Thanks very much, Tootlepedal.
What a leisurely day you had, Derrick. That bull looks very no-nonsense. I wouldn’t engage him in conversation either. 😳
🙂 Thanks very much, Sylvia.
Jackie’s observation is astute. Your blog is a perfect window to the Autumnal flourishing of the neighbourhood.
Thanks very much, Uma.
I appreciate your way of making these animal friends so…. personal. And of course the leaves are beautiful!
Thanks very much, JoAnna.
I especially enjoyed the photo of the sere leaves. While I love the colors of autumn, the latter stages of the season are appealing, too.
Yes. Glad you liked that one. Thanks very much, Linda.
Poitic’s can be a very touchy subject as i am positive you are well aware! 😉
I have a plant with 7 bright red, perfect, poppy-day poppies flowering on it today, i think it will be in flower on the 11th
PoLitic’s – sheesh!! 😉
That’s good. Thanks a lot, Bob.
The Autumn colours are really beginning to take over. And I must make a pint of taking shots of the poppies in Ballarat on the 11th.
You must. Thanks a lot, Paol
I have mixed feelings about those lamp post poppies. Can’t help thinking that they are not the best use of RBL money.
You have a point, Andrew. Thanks a lot.
Maybe it is aimed at the younger generations. People of our age don’t need to be reminded to remember. Yet!
You and your photos always stand out, Derrick.
Thanks very much, Ann.
The expression that bull’s face was perfect your line, “Somehow it didn’t seem politic to inquire too closely into the infant’s parentage.” 🙂
Thanks very much, GP.
A beautiful set of forest drive photos, Derrick.
My bet is bull #1. 🙂
Thanks very much, Lavinia. I trust your judgement 🙂
Lovely photos! So cozy and refreshing after our rainy day today
How are your knees holding up with the change of seasons?
It is still relatively mild in our little microclimate, Widders. Getting a bit cooler though. Thanks very much.
Wonderful Autumn photographs such lovely colours. I love the ones of the cattle roaming free.
Thanks very much, Sue.
Wonderful autumnal views. I wonder if a bull would recognise his own offspring.
Thanks very much, Helen. I’m not about to ask one 🙂
😊
hello derrick
Autumn is a wonderful colorful season, thank you for these beautiful pictures
ps: I have a question. We know that bulls are not always animals to approach because of their character. How (if we do not castrate them) can they thus live to several bulls? No big arguments, fights and risk of hurting people
… with stallions it must be the same I think
Thanks very much, Yoshimi. I really don’t know much about bulls, but I have been told that those allowed on public paths are not dangerous. Stallions are only let into the forest for a few weeks in the mating season.
thank you for explanations
Lovely photos
I’m so far behind in reading posts! This one is wonderful! Live the closeup of the cow.
Thanks very much, Leslie. You have been busy.
Busy, or distracted? It’s hard to tell with me.
🙂
In the case of a band of bulls, discretion is definitely the better part of valor!
I thought so, Liz, even though I knew they must be safe 🙂 Thanks very much.
😀