Knowing that this morning’s dry weather was due to turn wet – which it did – Jackie and I took a forest drive that needed to extend no further than Pilley where rich photographic pickings were to be found.
As we clanked and clattered across the cattle grid into the village we found a veritable herd of shaggy haired donkeys foraging, sleeping, and scratching around the green at Pilley Street and May Lane
Some sprawled somnolently, their hooves tucked beneath them;
a small group surrounded a car attempting to drive down the lane;
others tore and crunched at prickly bushes;
one adventurous animal investigated a parked truck.
Some of those not using low scratching posts engaged in mutual grooming. The last of this group of pictures was obtained through the passenger window glass. I would the window down, saying I wonder whether I could get a clearer shot through the opening. “You won’t” said Jackie. An instant later the eye of a donkey appeared in my viewfinder. The hopeful animal had obscured my sight as it attempted to enter the Modus.
We wondered whether to take home to Dillon a baseball cap left on a post.
Further on, we witnessed much reflective activity on Pilley’s lake,
including that of Canada geese,
a pair of mallards,
and the ripples beneath an inactive set of branches.
Opposite the bus stop a grey pony enjoyed a lunch of cold soup. The last six of these pictures are Jackie’s.
Later, I continued the tedious task of facilitating enlargement of the pictures in the following posts from the Classic Editor period:
This evening we all dined on tender roast beef, crisp roast potatoes, parsnips, and Yorkshire pudding, with firm carrots and Brussels sprouts, and meaty gravy. Ellie enjoyed her squashed vegetables with gravy and horseradish sauce. Jackie drank Hoegaarden and I drank more of the Shiraz.
Love the donkeys. All your photographs are lovely.
Thanks you so much, Sherry
All of the pictures are wonderful, and I’m partial to the photo hound Donkeys. We have one like that here in Virginia, Buddy.
Yes – I enjoy the way you have got to know yours so well. Thanks very much, Pat
How could anyone resist a donkey!
Thanks very much, Bridget
I love those donkey faces.
But the photos of the pony drinking in Pilley Lake with the reflection really caught my eye.
Thanks very much from us both, Merril
I love the header photo in particular.
Thank you very much, Liz
You’re welcome, Derrick.
Beautiful photos, Derrick! The donkeys are so cute.❤️☺️
Thanks very much, John
Great photos Derrick and Jackie.
Thanks very much from us both, Chrissy
Your welcome 🙂
Those donkeys! I want their fringes.
Those fringes are amazing. Thanks very much, Sylvie
I’ll pass on the cold soup and opt for Jackie’s delicious feast! I would even love a plateful of the squashed veggies! 🙂
OH!!! and OOH!!! The donkeys!!! I love ’em! Those sweet faces! ❤️
Such beautiful photos, Jackie and Derrick!! 🙂 🙂 Your reflection photos are THE bestest! 🙂 🙂
(((HUGS))) ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Thank you so much from each of us, Carolyn XX
Oh, good! The emojis appeared properly!
🙂
You managed some fantastic images today. My favourites are the wonderful pony images and those superb reflectiions.
Looks like you had a good day, Derrick.
Thanks very much, Sue. We did.
Oh, I think I love those sweet donkeys most of all. Was that one donkey in the truck bed? lol
Thanks very much, Jodie. The truck had a low side – the donkey could stretch in, making it look as if it was inside the vehicle 🙂
lol it was a funny shot! Thanks for the explanation.
I must say that I feel envious of your copious supply of photographic subjects near to hand. Particularly the donkeys.
Thanks very much, Tootlepedal. We are very fortunate
The photos are fine, indeed, but I was most taken with the mention of Ellie and horseradish in the same sentence. Clearly, her palate is being developed, along with everything else. She’ll not be a picky eater, for sure.
She certainly isn’t yet, Linda. She tasted korma sauce and mango lassi on Tuesday. Thanks very much
Wonderful shots today, Derrick. I love the donkeys.
Thank you so much, Jill
The donkey photos are always my favourite Derrick … I’ll have to save some into my file .. oh, your computer chair looks a lot more comfortable than mine …
Thanks very much, Ivor. That chaire has been replaced now 🙂
Those are beautiful forest drive photos, Derrick and Jackie. Adorable donkeys to ponies dining on cold seaweed soup! Dinner sounds wonderful, as usual. I am so glad you have working heat and a comfortable home.
Thank you very much from each of us, Lavinia
Wonderful photographs sir. These stunning animals have so much character.
Thank you very much, Gary
I, too, really like the pictures of the donkeys. And Ellie’s eating. Oh, she is growing up.
Thank you so much, Laurie
I see two hearts lying on their sides created by mirror images in your header and love the mirror effect of Jackie’s white horse drinking soup – like reaching into another dimension. Of course, the donkeys are adorable.
Thanks you so much, JoAnna
Nice post with beautiful pic.
Thank you very much Vijay
It is a wholesome reflection on donkeys, their drowsiness and general demeanour. Your massive project of restoring photos of old posts goes on, undaunted.
Thank you so much, Uma. I do hope you are OK
Sorry for responding late, but it does mean I’ve been ok! Thanks, Derrick.
That’s good, my friend
i love the heart-shaped leaf on the first photo… repeated later on. And the one ear of the horse peeking up over the side of the truck.
Thank you very much, Judy
Derrick, I wish I could come along with you two for one of your rides. Those donkeys are a delight. They look soft and gentle, though having one eye to eye might be a wee bit intimidating. I’ve seen them at petting “zoos” over the years, but I would love to see them in the wild. Your duck with reflection photo is stunning. Life looks good.
Thank you so much, Alys. It would be lovely to have you along.
I sense that life in your home is beginning to return to ‘normal’ 🙂
Lovely shots as a,wsys Derrick. Backreading your other posts.
Thank you so much, Arlene
My gosh, there goes my fingers…that should read as always…
They sound a little like “Hell’s Donkeys” loose in the countryside!
Thanks a lot, John
Thank you for continuing to show us the animals and surroundings in your area. Very few are so lucky.
Much appreciated, GP. It is my pleasure, too
Lovely photographs of the donkeys, dear Derrick.
Thanks for sharing
The Fab Four of Cley
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
Thank you very much, all four
Nice photo journal.
Thank you very much, Rupali
Love the donkeys and the reflections Derrick!
Thanks very much, Aletta
The donkeys look so meditative yet they are deprecated as dumb and dull witted.
They are gentle should, Geeta. Thank you very much
The header is just stunning and I love all of the photos, especially the donkeys.
Thank you so much, Eugi
Most welcome, Derrick.
Are these wild donkeys? I’ve never seen a whole herd like that! Lovely images and that horse’s face almost completely disappeared under water. Too funny.
The animals are all owned by commoners with pasturage rights, but they are free to roam, and have right of way on the roads. Thank you very much, Dale
I love that!
Such lovely photos of the cute donkeys
Thank you very much, Sheree
As always I love how you capture animals with your camera.
In the states, we have an odd event called ‘donkey basketball’, or we did in the Midwest when I was in school. Do that have that there? It was quite silly and made for fun photos
Not that I know of, Rose. Thank you very much
Gorgeous photos! Those donkeys are so cute!
Thank you very much, Ribana