Photographing Forest Fauna

From late morning Jackie drove our visitors and me around the forest. De had walked down to the coast at Milford where we joined her.

Jan photographed De seated beneath an umbrella, where their daughter was joined first by her father and then by her mother.

Choppy waves threw up creamy spray before sliding up and slipping back down the crunching shingle beach.

The trio walked along the clifftop promenade and down the steps toe the sea level.

Pannage pigs at Pilley snuffled and snorted their way around the verges.

We stopped for a drink at the Fleur de Lys, to find that it had been under new management for just a week. This prompted us to book a table for this evening.

Jan photographed and conversed with donkeys beside Beaulieu Lake, the banks of which

a preening swan and cygnets shared with gulls,

while one of the young swans reflected on the surface over which a crow took to the air.

At East Boldre we stepped out to photograph ponies casting shadows as the sun emerged.

This evening’s meal at the Fleur de Lys was excellent. We shared starters of Thai Fish Cakes and Belly of Pork; Jackie and I enjoyed Burger mains; I am not sure what the others chose; we all finished with sticky toffee pudding. We shared a bottle of Pinot Grigio and a Mendoza Argentine Malbec. I completed the meal with a Bailey’s, Jackie abstained and the others drank varieties of gin.

67 comments

  1. Those foamy waves look wonderful – a walk by the crashing winter sea must be on the agenda for me in the coming months! That is not just ‘an umbrella’ – it is magnificent… I think your picture could be used in the manufacturer’s marketing material!
    It’s so good to hear that the new management of the Fleur de Lys was so good. An exciting time to be taking over, and a promising start for their tenure. Good for you (and Jackie!) as well as them 🙂

  2. Donkeys, ponies, and swans are certainly interesting, but the choppy waves photos are exquisite, Derrick.
    P.S. Pinot Grigio happens to be my favorite wine, and Mendoza Malbec my husband’s.

  3. The pic of Jan face to face with the brown donkey is just priceless. I bet the conversation was too! Glad you all had a good day. Good company, good food and donkeys. It doesn’t get any better than that.

  4. I like how Jan got on eye level and made friends with the donkeys and ponies she photographed. I would probably do the same.

  5. The leisurely outing to the seafront must have uplifted the spirits of the wandering party. Fleur de Lys is a fascinating presence. Swans, ponies and pigs have been caught in their characteristic disposition, the last of which I continue to hate unduly.

  6. Goodness Derrick your guests got up close and personal with your friendly forest animals – but the stormy weather upon the seaside, wasn’t as nice. But I guess all the chatter made up for that…

  7. What a beautiful day with friends! Love that bright umbrella! 🙂 So glad they got to get up close and personal with those sweet-faced donkeys! Looks like the animals were willing to show up for a photo session! 😉 😀
    Did you get much rain? We’ve had a few rainy days recently.
    (((HUGS))) <3 to everyone who is with you! 🙂

  8. Friends, pigs, donkeys, ponies, good drinks and food (I’m supposing the food was good, you didn’t say? ). Great Day!!

  9. What a marvelous set of photos! I especially like the one with me and my parents on the bench facing the ocean. Thank you ever so much to you and Jackie for your warm hospitality and generosity! ❤️❤️❤️

  10. I love these forest drives and all the animals you meet! Even more wonderful to share the drive and dining out with friends!

    The sea looks grey and wild, so beautiful!

    Thanks for including my favorite pannage pigs again. I see a muddy snout headed right for you in one of the photos, Derrick! 🙂

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