We saw no sign of the forecast sunny intervals on our afternoon forest drive.
Highland cattle, including friendly bulls Blackie and Splash, lounged lazily on the green at Bramshaw. After I photographed them we drove on to Penn Common where
Ponies cropped the
soggy terrain,
on which Jackie focussed. Just to the left of this drinking pony’s right ear perches one of the robins that flitted about.
She caught this pony reflected in another stream, and
a mallard having taken up residence in a puddle.
She also caught me photographing the pony beside her,
and I got my own back.
Cattle, donkeys, and ponies shared the drier woodland outside Nomansland,
where there were numerous new calves; one wobbly specimen being licked clean by its mother.
This evening we dined on Jackie’s wholesome chicken and vegetable stewp, which we have decided needs no alcohol, so we didn’t drink any.
Beautiful animals. A great variety. A bit different from kookaburras, kangaroos and koalas. 🙂
True – and don’t feature alliteration. Thanks a lot, Chrissy
I never thought of it that way. 🙂
Posing Ponies, Dapper Ducks and Cuddly Calves!
Such charming, truly lovely photos. I remember your magical shots of newborns from last year… the wheel of life continues to turn 🙂
And earlier each year, it seems, Emma. Thank you very much from each of us,
Loads of cute animals, particularly the winsome Highland cattle.
Thank you very much, Sheree
I love the beatnik Highland bulls. ?
Thanks very much, AnneMarie
I like the header photo for the feeling it evokes. My favorite for aesthetics is the black horse and reflection.
That has pleased each of us Liz. 🙂 Thanks very much
You’re welcome, Derrick. 🙂
I like the Highland cattle. They always look as they are thinking sensibly about things. You seem to be a lot wetter than we are. Our ground is notably dry for the time of year.
I think we are wetter from what I see of your water levels. Thanks a lot, Tootlepedal
There’s something about watching wildlife/animals that is calming and true. I don’t know if you get PBS where you are, but my guy and I are so enjoying “Small Creatures Great and Small” set in your part of the woods, I think. Thanks for lifting my spirits with your photos!
As far as I know we don’t have PBS. The books and series are actually set in Yorkshire, which I suppose is near enough by your standards. 🙂
Haha. Yes, I suppose. It’s a lovely series that hopefully at some point you can watch. Cheers!
We’re enjoying it, too (also liked the books and the first TV version from years ago). Derrick and “his animals” came up in our conversation, also, but I said, no, this is Yorkshire. Most Masterpiece shows air in the UK before they’re shown on PBS here, I believe.
This was certainly a rerun
It’s a new series. We’re seeing the second season now.
Ah
Full sun high winds here today. A reported temperature of 13c but nothing like that given the wind chill.
Thanks a lot, Andrew
That black and white calf is adorable. Its face reminds me of a puppy’s face.
Yes, indeed, Laurie. Thanks very much
Gorgeous photos, Jackie and Derrick!
Oh, those sweet faces! 🙂 And both bovine and equine are having a good hair day! 😉 😀
Love the eye photo, the pony and robin photo, and the mum and her baby photos! I got joy-teary-eyed. 🙂
(((HUGS))) 🙂
Thank you so much from us both, Carolyn 🙂 X
Gorgeous animals. I’m jealous.
Thanks very much, Pat. So would I be.
We have to make do with goats and donkeys.;)
Beautiful and healthy animals.
Thanks very much, Bridget. The ponies in particular are rounded up for an annual health check
Oh, my goodness, the mother and the baby! So precious! Love them. Snd I love that you know the bull’s names. <3
I'm curious, is "stewp" a common term or is it one you made up? I've never heard it except from you, regularly.
https://youtu.be/PnqLT88JL-o Jackie bungs anything in – lefties never wasted. Last night’s included Chinese takeaway. Thanks a lot, Jodie
The Highland cattle are incredible. Thanks for sharing!
It seems that they began migrating and evolving from the Far East and Mongolia some 6,000 years ago. No wonder they look prehistoric. Thanks a lot, Jill.
I’ll say it again: isot’s nice to see cows and ponies contentedly roaming free. I enjoy seeing the hairy highlanders and shaggy ponies.
it’s so nice
Thanks very much, JoAnna. That is always worth saying
So wonderful always love the close ups Derrick ☺️??♀️sending you all joy✨hedy
Thank you so much, Hedy. Joy to you, too.
I enjoyed all your photos from the day, Derrick and Jackie! The ponies and cattle look like they are patiently waiting out the winter. The ducks don’t seem to mind, they have plenty of water to dabble about in. 🙂
Thank you so much from us both, Lavinia – and for not writing all of.
That black horse reflected in the water is gorgeous. That looks like a fine new building behind it, too. All in all, it’s a very pleasant scene.
Thank you very much from us both, Linda
Denizens of the forest have yielded themselves majestically to the camera. And so have you!
Thank you so much, Uma
You do live in a beautiful location
We do. Such a wealth of natural history, Gary. Thanks very much
The highland cattle are a fascinating looking breed Derrick
They are, Ivor. Thanks a lot
Lovely area you live in, Derrick!
We are very lucky, Aletta. Thank you very much
Wonderful to see the Highland bulls and the very pretty newborn calf.
The temperature difference between north and south were hammered home with this post. We’re very unlikely to see cattle out in the fields in February, let alone a newborn, and we’re not likely to see anyone as lightly dressed as you and Jackie either.
Lovely post, Derrick.
Thank you so much, Sue. Although I only photographed one, we saw many more little black calves
Oh, how lovely ?
It seems that as the years go by, the calves and lambs are born earlier and earlier
It does, John. Thanks a lot
You two are fun together, plus you make terrific pictures!! They’re all natural, no posing.
That is the aim, GP. Thanks very much
The header photo is stunning! I love all of the photos but the mother cleaning her newborn calf is priceless.
Something I have never seen before, Eugi. Thank you very much
Me neither and you’re welcome.
The black and white faced calf melts my heart. It is getting close to the season when calves are born here.
Thank you very much, Mrs W
Your welcome.
Wonderful photos by both you and Jackie. I agree with Liz about the two photos, but the cow’s eye photo is wonderfully different.
Thank you very much from us both, Merril
You’re welcome!
Lovely!
Thanks very much, Rupali
Dueling photographers at 50 paces! 😀 … are those babies a bit early?
Jackie didn’t even know I’d photographed her 🙂 We have never seen those babies so early. Cattle would normally be in sheds over winter. Thanks a lot, Widders.
It’s so sweet that you take pictures of each other taking photographs. A fun idea.
🙂 I’m pleased you think so. Robbie
Grey days are always dismal for us humans but then here you’ve gone out on your drive to bring us the beasts that roam in your woods, fields and common ground. Thanks for sharing
Much appreciated, Catherine
So beautiful! That mallard seems to have fun in his puddle ?
Thanks very much, Ribana. They take over any available puddle.
Love these portraits, and I think the word “denizen” is perfect. Makes it seem more important than a mere resident.