Pink sky streaks sent me out in the bright, chill, morning with my camera,
and perhaps led me to the hues of gladiolus, Dr Ruppel, Mamma Mia, Lady Emma Hamilton, this particular climbing rose, pelargonium, and carpet rose.
High up in the copper beech I think it was a blackbird serenading.
We took an early drive into the forest, and, enabling me to wander around the banks of Ibsley Water, Jackie parked her modus near the ford.
Angled sunlight cast long reflections on the rippling surface and penetrated the clear water to the shingle bed.
The gnarled oaks beneath Rockford Sand Pit have almost shed their foliate canopies.
While Jackie sat in the car an inquisitive jackdaw eavesdropped on her
animated conversation with a friendly robin. Our red-breasted friends do seem to be lingering in the woodlands.
Elizabeth visited us this evening and stayed for dinner which consisted of Jackie’s wholesome shepherd’s pie; crunchy carrots; firm Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and cauliflower, with meaty gravy, followed by apple and gooseberry crumble and custard. The Culinary Queen drank Hoegaarden and my sister and I drank Adam Mason South African Merlot 2019.
Love the dawn and the robin.
Thanks very much, Sherry. Robins still not in our garden
I miss little Nugget . . .
Thank you, Liz. So do we and many others.
You’re welcome, Derrick.
That’s a shame. Maybe when it gets colder.
That is what we hope
Beautiful blush pinks
Thanks very much, Sheree
Beautiful photography.
Magnificent shots of the sky and the fabulous roses. I like the lacy copper beach with the blackbird, and, of course, reflection photos.
Thanks very much, Dolly
You are very welcome, Derrick.
Stunning photography sir. It’s always a pleasure looking at your posts.
Thanks very much, Gary
Beautiful shots today!
Thanks very much, Jill
Beautiful shots of the water and it always a pleasure to see a robin.
Thanks very much, Tootlepedal
I love the blackbird and jackdaw photos!!
Thanks very much, Liz. I searched for ages to spot who was singing in the beech tree.
You’re welcome, Derrick! It made for a great image.
Love those early morning sky photos -and yes the water looks so crystal clear!
Thanks very much, M.B.
A perfectly pink morning sky, pink blooms and a sunny drive through the forest! I enjoyed all the photos from your day, Derrick and Jackie, and I am impressed by all the color you still have in your garden. Here, we are down to a few intrepid dandelions, blooming low near their rosettes.
Thank you very much from us both, Lavinia. Sometimes we can be grateful for dandelions 🙂
I envy you for always being able to visit the country. I miss the wild spaces in our province. Wonderful photos as always.
Many thanks, Arlene
So many beautiful photos! I’m intrigued by the shape in these tree trunks. The ones hugging the banks and leaning over make me wonder what their roots look like to be so well anchored.
I’ll try and show some another time, JoAnna. Thanks very much.
Thank you!
Wonderful picture of the robin! It’s great that Elizabeth can join you for dinner.
Thanks very much, Laurie.
Fantastic pinks. And a great Robin shot. What has happened to Nugget?
We are hoping Nugget has not left the forest yet – but we expect we have lost him to a sparrow hawk. Thanks very much, Judy.
Water asks to be photographed – clear water especially so. I enjoy fence posts too and to find a robin was chatting to Jackie is a real bonus!
It gives a little hope for Nugget, Anne. Thanks very much.
I love your photos of the pink sky and the forest Images.
Maybe that’s it, the weather just not cold enough in the south. Very chilly here and I’ve spotted a couple of robins hopping about the garden.
We hope that is it, Sue. Thanks very much
If you put your vegetables into the shepherd’s / cottage pie you can call it what you like. Crunchy carrots…Harold Hare pie, Brussels sprouts….Belgian pie, broccoli….James Bond pie, cauliflower……boxer pie and so on.
A real challenge would be the Cornish “Stargazey Pie”
https://www.jusrol.co.uk/pastry-recipes/stargazey-pie
That Cornish Stargazey Pie would have to be Millennium Dome Pie. Thanks a lot, John.
OH! What beautiful pink-sky majestic-trees photos!
And you know I love all the birdies and your photos of them!
Of course, the robin makes me think of Nugget…I wonder and wonder about him.
(((HUGS))) 🙂
Thanks very much, Carolyn. We suspect a sparrow hawk X
Apple and gooseberry? Do you mean Cape Gooseberry?
No – ordinary ones. Thanks for asking, Amanda
Foliate! Superb word from a master blogger.
Thank you so much, Rose
Wonderful pictures and a wonderful meal.
Than you very much, Mrs W
Your welcome.
Prachtig! Alles, rozen in december, knoestige eiken zonder bladeren, zonlicht in het heldere water, en dat roodborstje is de kers op de taart … Ja, daar maak je zó honderd foto’s van, voor je er zelf erg in hebt … Ik denk, dat hij een prof is … , weet het wel zeker … , iedereen fotografeert hem/haar/het roodborstje dus … Elfriede, 2 december 2020 * http://www.friedabblog.wordpress.com *
Heel erg bedankt, Frieda
A good day, excellent pictures as usual.
I looked up Ibsley Water because I hadn’t heard of it, google says near Salisbury I’ve never been to the New Forest it looks beautiful. I love Robins I don’t see many in London but my parents have one in their garden. The colour of the bottom of the water is just stunning. Best wishes Charlotte
Thank you very much, Charlotte. Ibsley is not far from Salisbury
Lovely colours. Good to see the little Robin.
Thanks very much, Rupali
I seem to have missed this post, too! So many stunning photos–those pink skies and your header are gorgeous, but I like the bird shots, too. I was wondering about Nugget and the other robins. We seem to have lots of our robins about.
Those pink flowers are the perfect match for that pink sky! So so beautiful! And that robin, so so cute! Any news from Nugget? 🐦
No news from Nugget, I’m afraid, Ribana. Thanks very much for asking.
The weeping birch has sprung to life against the crepuscular sky. The trellis of boughs silhouetted in sky and water continue the saga. Where is our friend Nugget?
I think we have to accept that we have lost Nugget – possibly to a sparrow hawk seen about. Thanks very much, Uma
I wonder if he had a message from Nugget?
That would be nice. Thanks very much, Inese