After taking down the Christmas tree we took a short drive into the forest on another very gloomy, yet dry, day.
When, at Shirley Holms, I pointed my lens in her direction, a sexy Shetland pony mistook me for a hairdresser’s photographer and trotted over to display
her dishevelled side-swept bangs.
The ditches are all filling up now. A copper beech hedge reflected in one at Sandy Down caught my eye as we passed. My Chauffeuse kindly made a several points turn in the narrow lane so that I could photograph the scene, including one of the discarded drink containers. The second picture above is by the Assistant Photographer who also focussed on
me. This might have been the moment I was trying to tuck myself in to keep out of the way of oncoming vehicles passing our parked Modus. I wasn’t exactly between rock and a hard place – more on a soggy verge between muddy tarmac and a full ditch..
Mallards have taken up occupation in the very full Pilley lake. They create their own ripples on what would otherwise be a very still surface reflecting barely quivering images of
skeletal trees;
shaggy Shetland ponies;
and red brick houses.
This evening we dined on Jackie’s spicy pork paprika; boiled potatoes, crunchy carrots and cauliflower with which she drank Hoegaarden and I finished the Brouilly.
Beautiful photos ! But really, the haircut! A new trend has just started.
Thanks very much, Sylvie.
🙂
Cute Shetlands!
Thanks very much, Sheree. There are quite a few of those tough little creatures about at the moment.
Your reflection photos are fabulous, as always, Derrick, but today the close up of a pony in need of a hair stylist definitely wins.
Thank you very much, Dolly.
You are very welcome, Derrick.
What you won’t do to get the image you want, eh Derrick? You are a full-fledged photographer. The first thing I thought of when I saw that pony with the comb-over is , she was going for the Veronica Lake look. (haha, how many people do you think remember THAT name?)
Count me for one!
And my Dad
And me!
And me. See my comment.
And me. 🙂
I got it from my Dad, GP. Many thanks.
How sweet these photographs are, I love these sweet creatures!
Thanks very much, Holly
Wonderful pics. The pony’s hairdo reminds me of Veronica Lake.
Thanks very much, Peggy. Quite a few thought of her.
My favorite shot is the reflection shot of the Shetland and the two house dormers. Excellent.
Thank you very much, Cindy.
It seems that we all liked the pictures of the reflections.You’re on to something, Derrick. We want more pictures with reflections!
I’ll reflect upon it, Ronnie. Thanks very much.
He or she is adorable. 🙂
Thanks very much, Bridget.
Gorgeous and alluring, like Veronica Lake.
Great catch–
Thanks very much, Pleasant. I suppose I should not be surprised that you would spot Veronica Lake 🙂
“Sexy side-swept bangs” made me laugh. Great photos. I love the reflections (of course) :)–and how you caught the rippling water around the ducks.
Thank you very much, Merril.
Wow so adorable
Thanks very much, More.
You’re welcome
Sorry Derrick, but I’m a bit jealous of your wet and green pastures…… The ponies look happy and healthy………….
I’m sorry, too, Ivor. Thanks very much.
You have not been short of rain I see.
Nope. Thanks a lot, Tootlepedal.
That was one femme fatale!
Thanks very much, Leslie.
Great title, Derrick…perfect! Please be careful out there on those streets. That shot made me nervous!
Thanks very much, Jill. That was me being careful. 🙂
HA! 😀 Someone is lookin’ for some attention! 😉 That’s quite the hairdo! 😉 She could hairspray those bangs straight up and go for a 1980’s-do!!! 😀
The mallards and ponies are beautiful! The trees, too!
And your reflection photos are stunning as always!
The Assistant Photographer capturing The Great Photographer are always some of my favorite photos! Your expression is great, Derrick! Way to go, Jackie! 🙂
Both of you be safe out there in your photographing adventures!
HUGS for all!!! 🙂
How are you doing today, Derrick?!?!
How are you doing today, Jackie?!?!
Thanks very much, Carolyn. We are both on the mend.
You’re welcome, Derrick!
We are recovering well from our coughs and colds ! Thank you X
You’re welcome, Jackie! 🙂
What I would give for that haircut. To me I’m seeing you blending in with the surroundings, in stealth mode sneaking up on a tiger.
🙂 Tanks a lot, Gary.
Veronica Lake!
So everyone says. I wish I’d known. Thanks very much Becky XX
We say ‘fringe’ but still – a wild, windswept fringe by any other name makes for a most alluring pony! Pic of the day goes to Jackie’s shot of the tentative and quivering photographer preparing to give his all for his art 😀 Take care Derrick, I never want to see the shot that has you upsidedown in a ditch!!
PS (whispers) Day 2 of sun …. excited!
We say fringe, too, Pauline. Thanks very much. I’m pleased about your weather.
Beautiful little ponies! They do have the sweetest expressions!
They do, Lavinia. Thank you very much
That is a great portrait of yours, Derrick, although the ponies have posed a tough contest. The photos of reflections are just beautiful.
Thank you very much, Uma.
You sure know how to find the excitement in a “gloomy” day. Your fun post made me chuckle. 🙂
Thank you very much, JoAnna.
The reflections are lovely – an upside down world: reflective sometimes of how the politicians sometimes make us feel the world over.
Thank you very much, Anne.
Some wonderful reflections – winter wanders have their own art forms to discover. The discarded drink can made me smile too. We have litter-picked a few over the years. We have a family saying, “Wherever you may wander, you will always find a … Foster’s can”!
So true, Peggy. Many thanks.
That is the easiest “Where’s Nugget?” yet. He’s on a soggy verge between muddy tarmac and a full ditch, wearing a single red breasted jacket with what may be darker grey identification rings of some sort.
🙂 Well spotted, John. Thanks for that.
Love that John!
Those reflections are just fabulous, especially the final few. Oh, and the ones of the little shetland are really gorgeous.
Thanks very much, Sue.
Phew! That pony belongs in movies. What a star! 😉
Thanks very much, Laurie 🙂
Blondes have more fun! Such a coy little pony.
Mallards are the toughest ducks. They hang around Ottawa all winter and I wonder how they survive in their bare feet in -17.
Thanks very much, Sue. They must have to break through ice?
Splendid photos! The sexy side-swept bangs, the brilliant green mallard heads, the skeletal tree, the reflections!
Thank you very much, Liz.
Hello Derrick,
I am absolutely a fan of the first photo of the pony – who would need the help of a hairdresser to cut a little bit of his frontal bangs. The walk must have been very pleasant but …. the last two images Derrick …. would you have drunk a little too much Brouilly (laughs)
Thank you very much, Yoshimi. You have certainly made me laugh. 🙂
Oh so attractive pony with her disheveled side-swept bangs! But the man in the red jacket holding the camera is even more so. 😊
🙂
Loved every bit of this one too!
Thank you very much, Raya
You’re welcome! 🌻
What a delightful outing. Topped by a perfect meal. Yum.
Thanks very much, Kavitha
The portrait of you is the best! I love the look on your face, the red jacket, and that amazing lens! Photographers always get themselves into unlikely or unwise places, it’s the nature of the job. 😉
That copper beech is about as copper as leaves get I think, and the reflected image is beautiful. Also, I love what you did in the last two. I like the second to last best because you can see the earth at the top of the photo. Nicely done.
Thank you very much, Crystal. You made a good choice between the last two pics – I always try to give an indication that it is a reflection.
Thanks