On this third afternoon of continuous blue sky and bright sunshine the waxing
moon looked down early over Christchurch Road as we left home on a forest drive, and over Rhinefield Ornamental Drive as we made for home.
Wilverley Plain’s gorse-laden landscape and ponies already bore the touch of the approaching sunset.
A group of Shetland ponies wandered to and fro across the road approaching Brockenhurst. The grey crossing the waterlogged area stepped around the pool in search of a suitable section.
Whenever the sunlight pierced the tall forestation it burnished branches, bracken, and ponies.
As the afternoon drew on Jackie pictured a crow atop a tree; tall trees; and Derrick on Rhinefield Drive.
This evening we dined on more of Jackie’s paprika pork meal with the same accompanying beverages.
You have captured the late afternoon light beautifully.
Much appreciated, Anne
Another wonderful gallery, Derrick. It is remarkable that that that one trunk is still upright. Jackie’s crow image is really a stark and impressive one. All well done.
Thank you so much from us both, Maj. It is amazing how long they can stand while decaying.
Gorgeous photos. The thick winter fur on one pony almost made him look like a buffalo from the back. 🐴🐴🐴
Thanks a lot, Pat
Thank you very much, Gabriele
Beautiful pics
What a fabulous day in the forest today
Great to see the sunshine and winter in its true glory
Thank you very much, Jooles
I love the leaning trees, it’s amazing that they haven’t fallen over. The ponies are so cute! I would love to try Jackie’s Paprika Pork, it sounds delicious!
I think it would appeal to your liking for hot dishes, John. Thanks very much.
Wonderful pictures all, with that hint of sunset on them!!
I agree with Pat and the “little buffalo”!! Cute.
Thanks a lot, GP
Love your descriptions of the light.
Thanks you very much, Sherry
My husband caught sight of the first Shetland pony over my shoulder, and he wanted to know if it’s a bear or a dog!
I love the close-up texural header! Although there are a lot of favorites in this group, if I go by immediate gut reaction, my favorite is the last photo. Something aout the combination of green, gray, and the pony’s posture.
Thanks very much, Liz. I liked the way the pony’s posture mirrored the tree.
You’re welcome, Derrick.
Magical! Some of the animals look very plump. Pregnant or just chubby?
My thoughts exactly Laurie.
Could be both. Also winter shaggy hides
Spectacular photos, Jackie and Derrick! So much texture, colour, light and shadows, life, and beauty!
Love the Pony’s Eyes photo, the Moon and Sun meeting in the sky photo, and the crow atop that tree photo!!!
(((HUGS))) 🙂
Thank you very much from us both, Carolyn X
A beautiful assortment of photos, Derrick! I love that golden angled mid winter light. The Shetland ponies steal the show.
I love Jackie’s photos, too!
🙂
Thanks very much, Lavinia
Beautiful.
Thank you very much, Mrs W.
Your welcome.
Some wonderfully atmospheric shots
Thank you very much, Sheree
You’re very welcome Derrick
Lovely play of light and shade today.
Thanks very much, Tootlepedal
Simply love the close-up of the tree trunk. Reminded me of a painting I once did during my days as a young artist.
I’d like to see that, Rosaliene. Thanks very much
So many of these photos would make good jigsaw puzzles, but I think the best would be Derrick on Rhinefield Drive. I love the Shetlands!
Thanks very much, Jill
Stunning photos sir
Thanks very much, Gary
Here comes the silly American, having to ask: what are those thingies on the roofs in the photo at the upper left? They look like jam pots, but surely not! The broad landscape view just below that first pair of photos is my favorite. Fields lying fallow have a deep appeal; perhaps it’s the sense of rest.
I think you must mean the chimney pots through which smoke from open fires escapes. Don’t you have those, Linda? Thanks a lot.
That would be the ones. Now that you’ve said that, it makes sense. I’m sure we have something that functions in the same way, but I don’t remember seeing any that are so decorative. It may be that on the east coast, where there are many more older homes that favored styles from the ‘old countries’ there are more of them.
Wonderful photos by you and Jackie, along with a great commentary. I’m imagining the audio commentary.
I agree with Liz–those are the photos that stood out for me, as well. Though the golden afternoon glow is beautiful, too.
Thank you very much from us both, Merril
You’re both welcome! 😀
I never get tired of seeing photos of the ponies!
Many thanks, AnneMarie
I love these earthy photos and the shaggy ponies. You have a wonderful ability to see and share the art in decaying tree trunks. I’d enjoy exploring that big mossy trunk.
Thank you so much, JoAnna
The moon appears to have escaped form one of the chimneys. Sunset in the woodland has burnished the trunks and tops of the trees. Ponies have been captured in detail. The brown-black pony stretching its neck to nibble the leaves of the tree is a marvellous picture. Jackie’s vigilant crow is good, and so is the eager photographer captured by her camera.
Thank you so much from us both, Uma.
Lovely woodlands ! The Shetland ponies are my favourites!
Thanks very much, Aletta
For the last few evenings, the rising moon has been a brilliant sight in the east, soaring up like a luminous hot air balloon.
Your photograph “Moon and Sunset” though, illustrates perfectly the strange fact that the moon is never as big as you think it is.
Thank you very much, John
I love it when the sunrise and sunset transform the trees into bronze. Your images show this perfectly.
Thank you so much, Sue
Some excellent shots, Derrick.
The final pony picture is excellent.
Thanks very much, Andrew
Beautiful shots of trees and sunlight, especially the decaying tree in the header. I love the shot of the crow atop the tree.
Thank you very much from us both, Eugi
You’re welcome, Derrick and Jackie.
Sunset paints everything in lyrical colors and light, including a crow and Derrick.
Thanks very much, Dolly 🙂 – from us both
You are most welcome, both of you.
Gorgeous photos as always! Those trees are magnificent!
Thank you so much, Ribana
The ponies and the trees look lovely despite the decay in some trees.
Thank you very much, Geetha.