It Would Have Been Rude Not To

On this dry, dreary, afternoon we took a drive to the north of the forest chasing a patch of blue sky that remained enticingly in the distance.

I first disembarked alongside the road through Rockford and photographed the fairly dismal landscape.

The next stop came along the road approaching the A31 underpass. From there I photographed yellow gorse, faded bracken, and spent heather.

As we arrived at Boldrewood I stepped out to focus on a horse and rider traversing the distant landscape.

The equestrian noticed me, stopped and waved, encouraging me to take another shot – at least I hoped that was what he meant.

It would have been rude not to.

On the approach to the Bolderwood Ornamental Drive, Jackie once more parked to enable me to enter soggy woodland to obtain pictures of

a pair of ponies foraging among browned bracken, reflecting pools, damp leaves, and mossy roots..

This evening we dined on more of yesterday’s Chinese inspired fare with the addition of vegetable spring rolls. Jackie drank Hoegaarden and I finished the Comté Tolosan Rouge.

73 comments

  1. Your weather seems to go through cycles of wind, being soggy and then drying out. I wish you plenty of dry sunshine. Meanwhile, I am thoroughly enjoying the frog chorus clearly audible from the dam across the road.

  2. The pair of browsing ponies are especially striking. Their coats seem so vibrant and smooth against all that tangle of wood. And I’m sure the rider was pleased with your attention. Had you been in Texas, he would have been tipping his hat in a gesture of respect.

  3. I hope you get some bright sunshine for a few days in a row soon, Derrick. the landscape is ethereal tet beautiful.

  4. You make even a dreary day look good, Derrick! Such beauty to see when we take the time to look.
    Love the feather taking center stage. 🙂 The velvety mossy roots are verdant and vibrant! 🙂 The leaf-less trees branches hugging are wonderful! 🙂
    (((HUGS))) 🙂

  5. I’m glad you managed to get your daily dose of fresh air on this dismal, grey day. It rained for most of ours, not sure which I prefer, this week’s earlier sleet and snow or the miserable rain.

  6. One never knows what one might find chasing a patch of blue sky. I like the distant equestrian, white feather, shiny black pony and of course the mossy roots.

  7. Those are beautiful winter day photos, Derrick and Jackie> The yellow gorse blooms do brighten things up a bit, and I always love the ponies, even if they are soggy. 🙂

  8. You’ve caught wonderful landscapes chasing that tempting blue patch of sky. The rider is clearly enjoying the sudden attention come his way. The stark black and brown ponies are striking beings.

  9. Oooh, I love that mossy root! Another day of dreary skies, but your photography chases away the gloom and invites the joy of discovery. Thanks for the tour of ponies and the bracken… I’m glad it was you tromping the soggy soil and not me! I’m happy vicariously experiencing it from the warmth of Ty & Monika’s (even if I’m “Sleepless in Placerville!”).

  10. Your header reminds me of the western movies of yore. The black pony is gorgeous, especially amid the dismal surroundings.

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