This morning we worked on completing our preparation of guest bedrooms for reasons which will become clear tomorrow.
After lunch we took a forest drive.
Having seen a very large foal being suckled in a field on Jordans Lane I stepped out of the car and sank into autumn leaves in a dry ditch, by which time the ponies had and diverted their attention to me. I was then
distracted by raucous rooks cawing from above.
Further along the road donkeys in the process of shedding their winter coats wandered among the traffic or hugged the verges.
Cattle and ponies shared the moorland off Bull Hill.
Ponies dined by the roadside, spilling onto the tarmac of East Boldre;
walkers led by a dog carrying a branch approached from the distance;
while another equine tore at juicy grass piercing the surface of a puddle.
This evening we dined on pepperoni pizza, hot and spicy prawns, and fresh salad with which I finished the Bierzo.
I love the donkeys!
Thanks very much, Kim
Me too!
As the animals are showing us, Springtime is on the horizon!
(We’re having record high temperatures, but it should cool off by Sunday thank goodness. Air conditioning in March is just ridiculous.)
It is ridiculous, GP. Thanks very much
Fun photos, Derrick, especially the image of the dog with its rather large stick. He has a mouthful for sure.
Thanks very much, Maj. They were so far away I didn’t notice the stick until I got the image on screen
Ooooh, guests
🙂 Thanks very much, Sheree
I was wondering why the donkeys were looking so shaggy, they are cute though. The photos of the trees are ethereal, love them! I hope that the ponies, donkeys aren’t hit by cars.
Thanks very much, John. Unfortunately some do
I love the rookery series!
I’m pleased, Liz. I had to crane backwards to get them 🙂 Thanks a lot
You’re welcome, Derrick. Hopefully, you didn’t get a crick in your neck. 🙂
The white nosed, white footed pony nibbling the grass in the puddle must have chosen to do so in order to watch his reflection in the water as he ate – he’s extremely pretty!
It sounds as though you may have a busy weekend in store…:-)
Still got aircon on here, but the mornings are working on Autumn and therefore the nights are cooler.
The New Forest animals look happy with the situation
Thanks very much, Catherine. It is due to become milder next week
So many wonderful photos. The donkeys really do get shaggy winter coats.
I like the ponies in silhouette and the white cow next to them who looks regal and crowned by flowers.
Thanks very much, Merril. Nicely put
You’re very welcome, Derrick. ?
I enjoyed the set of donkey pictures, but i think that my favourite today was the white cow.
That is a good colour for a photographer
All seems calm and well in the New Forest animal kingdom… except for the noisy rooks bickering over whose nest it was last year!
🙂 Thanks very much, Sue
I love the lazy cattle shots, Derrick. I look so sleepy. Pepperoni pizza sounds yummy. I don’t recall you having that very often.
We don’t. Usually when the Culinary Queen doesn’t feel like cooking. Thanks very much, Jill
Lovely
Thank you very much, Candy
Beautiful animals photos of your daily walk.
Tank you very much, Bridget
Your donkeys remind me of ours. Now you need some goats. Gorgeous pictures. Will look forward to tomorrow’s reveal.???
Thank you so much, Pat
Wonderful writing and images. Fun to see those shaggy donkeys.
Thanks very much, Laurie
The moorland hills seem romantic. Maybe that’s why the cows seem so content with their daydreams. The shaggy ponies and donkeys always make me think of brushing them. Good thing I don’t see them in person.
You wouldn’t be able to resist, JoAnna. Thanks very much
I’m sure I’d give it a try.
Looks like a wonderful day.
Thank you very much, Mrs W
Your welcome.
The donkeys are definitely looking very shaggy Derrick
Thanks very much, Ivor
The raucous cries emanating form intricate lattice of branches containing nests have been correctly identified as the source of unwelcome greetings. Those pictures are so powerful I had no difficulty hearing the ravenous cacophony. I like the images where the ponies are standing still bunched to the middle-left of the road. The cows embellished with earring tags look content. The picture with two cows on the incline to the right with the bush like tree in the middle in silhouette is very pleasing. The dog carrying the twig is so happy, and I have a feeling it will have to shed the temporary toy at some time with no small degree of willingness. That also is an engrossing picture.
Thank you so very much for your close observation, Uma
Yes, Uma, your comments reveal close observation and appreciation of Derrick’s photography skills. I agree!
Yes Jan. I am addicted to his (and Jackie’s) daily adventures and shootings.
A delightful series of peaceful scenes … calm before the excitement that makes cleaning the guest bedrooms necessary 🙂
Thanks very much for this insightful comment, Anne
The photo of the donkeys with the car – Can I see a goat or a daemon or is it just a piece of dry timber?
Very well spotted, John. I wish I’d seen that. Thanks a lot
You might stop next time you are passing and take a closer look.
The donkey are lovely! The pepperoni pizza sounds great!
Thank you very much, Aletta
Amazing photos, Derrick. The bare trees have an eerie look to them.
They do, Eugi. Thanks very much
Those donkeys are adorable!
Is that mistletoe in the trees, or squirrel nests?
Rooks’ nests, Lavinia. Thank you very much
I think that’s the first time I have read that you had eaten pizza! I approve of the choice of flavour. 🙂
Thanks very much, Yvonne
What a wonderful drive you had through the forest! But sinking in to fall leaves? It’s spring time! What’s happening? The picture of the pony close up, munching on the grass is my favorite today.
“Donkey” looks a little bit sorry for himself!
Thanks a lot, John