On another hot and humid sunny day we took an early drive into the forest.
Ponies and their foals clustered together in the lowest dip of Holmsley Passage, perhaps in hopes of evading the gathering flies.
I disembarked along Bisterne Close and wandered into the dappled woodland, now devoid of ponies which could normally be expected to enhance these views; it then occurred to me that the animals on these Sultry Days are mostly seen to be gathering near possible sources of water.
This was confirmed at the corner of Forest Road where these fly-pestered ponies sheltered from the heat beside
the shallow dregs of a normally fast flowing stream.
We turned off Beechwood Lane into Church Road,
where Jackie experienced the acute pangs of owl envy when she had to bear the sight of a large carved example on someone else’s dead tree. Briefly she speculated about whether Aaron could be asked to wield his chainsaw to emulate this artwork on our recently lopped cypress.
A rowan tree here was just one of many producing very early berries.
Further verification of my horses to water theory was provided on our way back through Holmsley Passage. The first group of ponies had been within whinnying distance of the stream in which another, apparently knackered, string were slaking their thirst. This shot had to be taken through the windscreen because we had a car behind us.
With or without bigification readers will see no pony pictures lacking flies today.
This evening we dined on a second sitting of Mr Chan’s excellent Chinese Take Away dishes, with which Jackie drank Hoegaarden and I drank more of the Fleurie.
Gorgeous contrast between light and shade in those photos.
Thanks very much, Sheree. It was all there for me today.
The owl is reminiscent of the Pacific Northwest totem poles featuring large birds of prey (eagles, hawks, ravens). He’s beautiful!
Thanks very much, Janet They must look magnificent, too.
Oh, those poor ponies with all those flies! That owl carving is pretty amazing.
I like those sun and shade-dappled paths.
Thank you so much, Merril. We just hope the ponies can’t feel the flies on the skin at least.
Its a talent and a half to produce something so spectacular (and large). Wouldn’t it be fabulous to have such a handsome owl appear in one of your dead trees though – no harm in asking 🙂
🙂 Thanks a lot, Pauline.
I’m loving all the ponies, but I see even the Shetland was looking for more shade.
I imagine a lot of different plants are being confused this year with the excessive heat.
It certainly has been confusing, GP. Thanks very much.
Beautiful scenery (scenes of scenery delightfully seen) and I empathise with Jackie’s owl envy.
🙂 Nicely put, Anne. Thanks a lot.
Ack! I can’t stand to have one fly land on me. Those poor ponies. Your path shots are incredible today, Derrick. I love the photo of Jackie looking up at the owl, too!
Thanks very much, Jill. I’m pleased you liked them.
So beautifully peaceful, adore the horses!
Thanks very much, Holly
Your most welcome Derrick.
That owl sculpture is amazing. I’d be envious too!
🙂 Thanks very much, Sandra
Great for painting ideas.?
Thanks very much, Laleh
My pleasure.
Those flies look miserable – poor ponies. Those foals are very cute though, and the forest looks lovely
Thanks very much, M.B. We can only hope they do not feel them as we would.
Oh, your warm weather! Ours has been showers for most of the week and you can barely call it warm!
I love the woodland shots.
Owl envy is new one on me; I usually have log envy when I see those neat log piles of perfectly formed log rolls, I come home and mine are all misshapen.
My late husband did a marvellous job of carving fish, not sure if he ever tackled owls!
Thanks very much, Sue. I once carved a curled up dog from a log I pulled out of a friend’s basket, but I’m not tackling an owl 🙂
You are a man of many talents!
🙂
The dappled shade, even without equines, is very nice.
Thanks a lot, Tootlepedal.
Your drive into the forest was a wonderful reprieve for me today, Derrick. Thanks for sharing it. I love that carved owl… and can just see the artist on a ladder high up in the air creating it! That was a great photo of Jackie looking up at it! I also love that first picture of those darling ponies. So cute! Have a good rest of your Thursday, Derrick. See ya tomorrow. <3
Thanks a lot, Jan X.
Poor ponies beset by flies! This is a very impressive carved owl; I doubt such carving could be accomplished by wielding a chainsaw, Derrick. Sorry to disappoint Jackie.
🙂 Thanks very much, Dolly.
My pleasure, Derrick.
Wow! What an owl ?
Thanks very much, Ribana
“Glory be to God for dappled things.”
Indeed. Did you know GMH was one of my favourite poets? Thanks very much, Liz.
You’re welcome, Derrick. Somehow I thought you’d know the poem.
🙂
The owl is cool. We have a live pair that lives in the upstairs of our shop. We enjoy sitting outside at dusk watching them become active. Last time Wrangler crawled upstairs of the shop to make repairs to the roof after bad wind there were seven eggs. We think we can hear babies now.
How exciting. Mrs W. Jackie says “Ooohh, wonderful”. Thanks very much.
They have been wonderful to enjoy this summer.
The carved ‘Owl’ is truly impressive Derrick, I’ve copied the photo in my files Derrick, I hope that’s ok…
Of course, Ivor. You will do it justice. Thanks very much.
I’ve some ideas, but only a very rough draft… I’ll have a go at the weekend…?
🙂
Oh, how I love to wander into the dappled woodland. It’s been very dry here, too. Must be raining somewhere….Good luck with getting an owl sculpture in your tree. Surely there could be some version.
Thanks very much JoAnna. 🙂
Thant’s a big tree base/root.
I’m sure Aaron can give it a go. If not with a chain saw, a pocket knife my do it… 🙂
🙂 That might take some time. Thanks a lot, Chrissy.
🙂
I loved all the photos, Derrick and Jackie. Those forest foals are growing into those long legs! The owl carving is striking. People do that here a lot, the chainsaw art. There is an eagle one in town, and a Sasquatch at the other end of town. I bet Aaron could make Jackie an owl.
A good challenge, Lavinia. Thanks very much.
i hope the ponies are not too bothered by those flies. delightful photos as always. i think Aaron will have an owl project soon 🙂 🙂
Thanks very much, Lola. That is some challenge. We hope the ponies may not feel he flies as much as we would.
Poor creatures to be so tormented by the flies!
That is some owl. No wonder Jackie was envious.
Many thanks, Laurie
I am left in no doubt of the old cypress tree in your garden being reincarnated into a larger than life owl with an oversight of the land underneath! Jackie does seem fascinated enough.
Now there is a challenge, Uma. Thanks very much.
Come on, Aaron. Let’s see what secrets the cypress holds.
🙂 Thanks a lot, Oglach.
The owl carving reminds me whether you ever had any luck tracking where John Brady’s timber sculpture of Don Bradman ended up. You may remember he competed at Sandringham estate or the Queen’s estate in around 2005 and it was subsequently auctioned off.
I do remember, Gwen, but I had no luck. I would hardly expect to do better than you, although it would have been nice 🙂 Thanks very much.
If Aaron can carve with a chainsaw, he’s got a lucrative sideline there. In the USA, Bigfoot is a popular subject, and easy to do (relatively)
He scares me when he gets up a tree with a chain saw, John. Thanks a lot.
So green and so much nature! Thank you for sharing. All your photos are lovely and I hoped you had an amazing trip.
Thank you very much Markus and Micah
Ik kom vlug naar Engeland, be In love with the horses and the old beautiful forest … Oh, wat is het daar geweldig mooi … Waar is het? Were have I B&B with the horses … Ik ben helemaal gek geworden! Liefs from Amsterdam, 24 juli 2020, 11.05 uur … * Hollandse tijd … * http://www.friedabblog.wordpress.com *
– Ik wilde op me blog ook wat meer van Amsterdam laten zien …
Thanks a lot, Frieda
The owl is a stunner.
Thanks a lot, Andrew
Wowza, what an owl! I understand your envy, Jackie! 🙂
Ha! I’d like to hear what Aaron would say when asked if he could replicate it for you on your cypress tree. He might say, “Hoo Hoo Hoo do you think you’re foolin’! I’m not attempting that!” Ha! 😉
Makes me think of a Michelangelo quote about every block of marble having something inside waiting to be set free.
Might be surprised what is waiting to be released from your cypress. 🙂
Oh, to see all the flies pestering those sweet faces makes me sad. 🙁 They certainly look to be patient.
(((HUGS))) 🙂
Thanks very much, Carolyn. Aaron is very scary with a chain saw X
😮 😮 😮
Lovely woods.
Thanks very much, Rupali
Thank you so much, Sheree
Your photos are gorgeous
I love going to sight see in nature
Thank you very much, More
You’re welcome Derrick
Thanks very much, Ivor. Just going over to your post.