Jackie spent the morning and part of the afternoon in the garden. Later she drove me into the forest for a short trip.
Ponies cast their shadows on the sward beside Holmsley Road. One enjoyed a good scratch.
Two mares suckled their foals. In the first picture the youngster is in the process of rising for a feed. The adults are so ungainly when they heave themselves upright that I was quite surprised at the nimbleness of the little one. The mother ignored the flies crawling over her muzzle. The grey became a little self-conscious at my approach; unplugged her infant; and moved off. Her persistent progeny latched on from the other side. I left them in peace.
While Jackie waited in the Modus I took a walk down the far end of Forest Road outside Burley as far as the very dry ford and back.
The high banks and exposed roots at each side of the lane betray its ancientness.
The stream is so very dry that much of the gravel bed is exposed; reflections on the shallow surface mingle with the small strip that does contain a smattering of liquid; and the depth gauge stands proud of solid ground.
I was not the only photographer focussed on groups of small Highland cattle on the outskirts of Bashley where a calf was learning to forage.
This evening we dined on Jackie’s spicy pasta arrabbiata; pepperoni pizza; onion, tomato, and mozzarella salad; and juicy ratatouille, with which the Culinary Queen drank Hoegaarden and I finished the Cabernet Sauvignon.
That Highland calf is charming. I’d like to tousle its hair a bit more.
🙂 Thanks very much, Linda
Longhorns, yeahah. 🙂
🙂 Thanks very much, Bridget.
The highland cattle must be very warm. Our long-haired tabby cat is melting. He couldn’t be persuaded into a dip under the hose spray though!
Thanks very much, Sandra. They must be dressed for the Highlands.
The sunshine is glorious, but as your river shows, we do need some rain!
Indeed, Libre. Thanks very much.
Those animals look splendid 👌. Derrick pls do check out my recent blog!!!
Done, Krishna. Thank you very much.
👍
What a sweet little face in the last one.
I thought so, too, Susan. Thanks very much.
I love all those photos, especially that one of the horses shadows in black and white. I’m a black and white fan for shadow photos!
As am I!
You always pick my favourites, Liz
🙂
I’m pleased, Lisa. Thank you very much.
That Highland calf has such an appealing face Derrick!
Indeed, Sheree. I took a while to wait for it to look up 🙂 Thanks very much.
Sadly I can no longer read your posts because of the massive images.
I may be off WP from tomorrow morning.
Dammit. For yours revert to the Classic. Thanks for trying.
Oh my…that calf is gorgeous! A great jigsaw puzzle for sure!
It certainly would be, Jill. Thanks very much.
Love the ponies shadow photo! And, oh, that little calf! What a face!!!!!!!!!!!!
🙂 Day brighteners, for sure!!! 🙂
Hope you get some good rain soon. We need some, too.
It is always interesting to watch mothers in nature…whether it be bird-mums, cow-mums, horse-mums, etc….they are always so protective, loving, focused, great teachers, compassionate, ETC! We can all learn from them! 🙂
(((HUGS))) 🙂
Thanks very much, Carolyn. I was pleased with those pics, too. X
The first two highland cattle photos are my favorites because of the color palette.
Thanks very much, Liz. They were in the best light.
Ah, sometimes the light makes all the difference.
Your photo of looking down Forest Road with the overhanging canopy, reminded me of one of my little quotes…..
“The tunnel is growing wider
The light is glowing brighter” .. Ivor.
Thanks very much, Ivor. Nicely put.
Those foals are utterly adorable. Sounds as though it is very dry in your neck of the woods. Dry here, too.
It really is, Laurie. Thanks very much.
It’s so nice to see these photos after all the horror I’ve been seeing today. I love the mothers and babies, and that close-up of the calf is wonderful. What a face! 😀 I always enjoy seeing the Forest Road. I hope you get some rain soon.
Thank you so much, Merril. Your horrors are dreadful.
Yes, they are.
The depth gauge amused me.
We should have know that it was going to be a dry month when the Daily Express predicted that it would be the wettest May on record.
Had I known that I would have been better prepared 🙂 Thanks a lot, Tootlepedal.
That calf is just stunning. Beautifully done Sir.
Thank you very much, Gary.
We usually see kangaroos on our walks. Sometimes wild deer. Very different from your countryside. Would love to take a similar walk one day.
Thanks very much, Chrissy.
We sold our horses at the beginning of May because we never had time to ride. Thanks for sharing pictures with me.
And thank you, Mrs W.
Your welcome.
I really needed these sweet photos of the foals and their mamas and the shaggy calf. Your blog is a very good way to end my day.
I’m pleased, JoAnna. Thank you very much.
Those baby foals are such a delight!
We also had ratatouille with our dinner, and my husband had Cabernet Sauvignon, while I was enjoying my Sauvignon Blanc.
We two couples have similar preferences with red and white it seems. Thanks very much, Dolly.
Great minds, and so on… My pleasure, Derrick.
🙂
Nice post ..glad you had an enjoyable day!
Thanks very much, Gary.
That turned out to be an interesting rambling. The photographs of ponies and the highland calf are wonderful.
Thank you very much, Uma.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a horse with a collar before.
Many of the forest ponies wear them. They are reflective so that drivers can see them in the dark. Thanks a lot, John.
So beautiful to be surrounded by nature and animals 😉
It is. Thank you very much, Ribana
What a lovely walk. That calf looks like a teddy bear! I had to take another look to be sure.
Thanks very much, healing footprints. I am having trouble following you
As in fluffy and cute like a teddy bear. Our cattle are quite different.
Sorry – what I meant is I couldn’t get to become a follower. I’ll try again.
I tried again. What happens is that my e-mail address is rejected. This has happened with other sites, too.
With Spring edging into Summer, the creatures of England come out to enjoy!!
Indeed. Thanks very much, GP
I am a sucker for highland cows. What a fun post showcasing the pretty horses and cows in your area.
Thank you very much, Cindy.
Wonderful images Derrick.
Thanks very much, Rupali
The foals and other life abound! I enjoyed all these uplifting photos, Derrick and Jackie!
Thank you very much from us both, Lavinia
Excellent photos, as usual. I was interested to see what the bottom of a depth gauge looks like – it’s something you don’t usually get to see.
I’ve never seen it before – certainly not in May. Thanks very much, Quercus.
I feel like I’ve been cheated out of a glorious Spring. 🙂
Gorgeous animal shots again, Derrick. Your dinner sounds like a feast for kings. 😃
Thanks very much, Sylvia. Or even Knights 🙂
👍🤣
Love that last close up shot.
Thanks very much, Lindsey
I wonder how the highland cattle take the heat that has been around the past few days. Thank goodness today was cooler.
Yes, I wondered too. Thanks very much, Geetha.
Welcome Derrick 🙂