Last night the full moon cast a spectral spell upon the garden.
Early this morning we drove Elizabeth to Lymington Hospital for a routine procedure and collected her later after we had taken a short trip into the forest.
Unlike yesterday, today was largely overcast and consequently somewhat warmer. This was the sky above the Boldre end of Church Lane.
Field horses grazed alongside; a shaded shed stands opposite.
Towards the Pilley end I spotted a deer pack in a field. They were immediately aware of my distant presence and soon turned tail and retreated to what the felt was a safe distance. I moved slightly nearer. They backed off again. I changed my lens to a longer one. They repeated the process, then reiterated it. These were Cervidae, not Muridae, but they made me feel feline, playing cat and mouse with them.
Cattle were bearing down on the lake alongside Jordan’s Lane at Pilley, where
they stopped for a drink and grazed on the bank.
Except for one bay reflected in the water the ponies mainly crossed the road, where a pair of greys saw eye to eye.
Having collected Elizabeth we turned back to the Grove Pharmacy at Christchurch hospital where Jackie received her second Covid vaccination .
Elizabeth stayed on until tomorrow. We dined on Jackie’s delicious cottage pie; crunchy carrots; firm cauliflower; tender cabbage, and meaty gravy, with which my sister drank water, my wife drank Hoegaarden, and I finished the Bordeaux.
where do all the animals come from? You must be surrounded by farms? or are they on a reserve. you get to see so many horses, cows etc.???
The deer are wild; the cows are from farms; the ponies are owned by commoners, but roam free. All except deer have right of way on the roads. Thanks very much, Q
A stunning moonlight picture Derrick. Rain here all day today and the garden is grateful for it.
Thanks a lot, Andrew. We have a chance of a little rain today.
Fingers crossed then. We had a day of that nice steady rain. Perfect.
Magnificent pictures of your furry friends
Thank you very much, Sheree 🙂
😎
The moon photo is truly stunning
We had a super moon last night but after waiting for it to show, it didn’t look any bigger than the usual full moon. Love your eerie photo. Love them all.
Thank you so much, Chrissy
The moon light has made your garden look even more magical than usual!
And the forest deer are clearly shy, but very beautiful…
The cows obviously have a much bolder nature – no backing off for them!
Glad Jackie has had her second vaccine.
Thanks very much, Emma. The cows are so big that it is a little disconcerting as they thud towards one. 🙂
Although the moon is gorgeous, it kept me awake all night. I never sleep when the moon is full. Beautiful photos! Glad Jackie got the second jab. 🙂
Thanks very much, Jill. I hope you get some sleep tonight
I hope Elizabeth recovers quickly from her procedure, good plan to keep her with you overnight.
How lovely to see the cattle out and about again. The cattle are still indoors up here, it’s been such a dry month that the grass hasn’t grown enough for them. Short grass is fine for sheep but not long enough for the cattle. It finally began raining here during late afternoon, but we could do with a couple more days of it.
Elizabeth is fine, Sue. We could both do with rain – who would have thought it?
We’re usually complaining about too much rain!
🙂
The selection of drinking cattle took the prize for me today.
Thanks very much, Tootlepedal
I would say your day was filled with animals.
It was, indeed, Mrs W. Thanks very much
Your welcome.
Your cat and mouse game with deer has produced lovely dynamic photos, Derrick.
Thank you very much, Dolly
You are very welcome, Derrick.
Lots of deer, Derrick. Wild I take it? The shot of the greys having a discussion is cute.
Thanks very much, Maj. The deer are wild
I enjoyed all of these photos – the mysterious moonlight, the attentive herd, the crisp ponies and cows – and especially like the two grays. I hope Elizabeth has good immunity with minimal discomfort. Glad she stayed over.
Thanks very much, JoAnna. Elizabeth is well
Those deer can run, but they cannot hide from the lens of Derrick Knight! You got some great shots. I love the moonlit garden photo.
Thank you so much, Liz
You’re welcome, Derrick.
A gray horse named Gunmetal Gray is favored to win the Kentucky Derby this year. I’ve never seen a gray horse before seeing your photos (at least that I can remember) and they really are attractive. Now we’ll see if one of their number of fast.
*is fast*
Thanks very much, Linda. They stand out very well on the moors
A beautiful assortment of deer, cows and ponies, Derrick and Jackie.
I hope Elizabeth is well.
Thanks very much, Lavinia. Elizabeth is well
I join others in wishing Elizabeth a good recovery and being being that Jackie has had her second vaccine. The vaccine programme is moving very slowly here, but I have at last been able to register online to receive one – eventually 🙂
Thank you very much, Anne. I hope eventually is soon
Prayers for Elizabeth.
So glad Jackie got her second dose.
It’s joy to see the deer and to see the animals enjoying drinks of water.
Love the photo of the two grey ponies looking longingly into each other’s eyes. <3
(((HUGS))) 🙂
Thank you very much, Carolyn. Elizabeth is fine X
On one of your deer pictures (with four deer) there’s a tree on the left that looks as if it is being used as a scratching post by something. I wonder what it would be?
Most likely ponies, I think, John. Thanks very much
And now, thanks to Mr DJK, I know the difference between my Muridae and Cervidae!
🙂 Thanks a lot, Yvonne
Great captures Derrick!
Thank you very much, Jill
The moonlit scene did look quite ghostly. I loved the cow photos–they look so lovely in your photos.
It’s good you could help Elizabeth, and I’m happy to hear Jackie had her second shot. I hope she has no ill effects.
Thanks very much, Merril. No after effects.
Good news!
Cool night shot.
Thanks very much, Sherry.
I love all those deer lined up with their white tails twitchin’ atcha! And the cattle and bay are delightful. Thanks for sharing your day with us, {{{Derrick}}} – How nice your sis could spend that time with you! <3
Thanks very much, Jan. Elizabeth is in our ‘bubble’, but she hasn’t felt able to stay overnight for the last year. X