This morning we drove to New Milton to collect my new specs from Boots and dry cleaning from Whites, then, on a hot and sunny day, continued into the forest
Some way outside Burley we stopped for me to photograph a trio of ponies, including a clinging suckling foal, cropping the roadside verge. I have noticed how the new mare mothers all seem to have bony ribs.
On the approach to Wootton Bridge, Jackie parked beside one of the many hawthorn trees that inhabit the woodlands, and I crossed the road to visit another foal and its family. The dam was another who displayed the spare ribs effect.
These recent mothers all seem to spend time taking in their own nourishment whilst supplying their persistent offspring, Maybe that is why this one led her infant across the road for apparently richer pickings.
I wandered down past bright buttercups, daisies, and young ferns, and crossed to the stream becoming drier by the day. Blown seeds rolled among the shadows; a child kicked an inflated ball while her carers sunbathed.
This evening we enjoyed a second sitting of the excellent Hordle Chinese Take Away, with which Jackie drank Hoegaarden and I drank more of the Cotes de Gascogne.
Looks like a lovely day.
It was, thanks, Pat
I might be biased, Derrick, but the effects of shadows in black and white photos are outstanding .
Nothing wrong with a bit of bias to keep me on the lookout for such shots 🙂 Thanks very much, Dolly.
You are very welcome, Derrick.
Cotes de Gasgoyne… a homage to one of our greatest midfielders, anticipating the next generation perhaps… is this from a Newcastle vineyard?
Yes. Nouveaux Chateau sur Loire. Thanks a lot, Geoff
Equine mothers, like most, give all for their young, thus the ribs. The little girl is putting forth a powerful kick, what a cute shot. Oh, and we agree with koolkosherkitchen’s take on the B&W of the shadows.
Thanks very much, Maj and Sher
mmm Chinese takw out sounds good – and the bony ribs do stand out – wonderful photos D
Thanks very much, Yvette
Beautiful photos, Derrick. I particularly like the striking black and white foal with shadow, the peaceful stream with reflections, and the exuberance of the child kicking ball.
Human mothers burn a lot of calories nursing infants, and I assume it’s the same for other mammals. Hopefully these equine mothers are getting enough nourishment.
We had Chinese food last night, too, and will have the leftovers tonight. 😀
Fancy watching ponies teaching me about human mothers. As you probably know, Jackie always buys enough Chinese for two days 🙂 Thanks very much, Merril
😀
Another beautiful there with so many cute animals! ❤️😎🇬🇧
Thanks very much, John.
This reminds me of how easy it was to keep my weight down while nursing. The scenery and ponies are very beautiful. I was drawn to the photo of the light colored foal whose front hoof almost touched its shadow while crossing the road. Then I said a prayer for the ponies to be safe in their crossings.
I love the foals — but I do hope the mares are getting enough nourishment!
Me, too. I’d be tempted to feed the mares…. away from the road.
They always seem to manage, Janet. Thanks very much.
Yes – drivers do have to keep aware. Thanks very much, JoAnna.
Wonderful photos of beautiful animals – but yes, those mothers are very skinny. Let’s hope the weather allows the grass to continue to provide good nourishment through the summer, when the foals may ease off their dependency. The little girl makes for such a happy shot – looks as though a lovely time is being had by her, and presumably her sunbathing parents; the joys of summer and time 🙂
Thank you very much, Emma. For some reason I have noticed the ribs more this year. Unfortunately the little girl had some difficulty engaging the sunbathers.
Let’s hope they get well checked in the New Forest Drift this year – and that it may be a little earlier, perhaps, than last year.
Yes
Beautiful photos, Derrick. I especially love the black and whites.
Thank you very much, Jill
I love this photo.
Thanks very much, Arlene
Good morning Derrick, good to see you were enjoying a hot sunny day … here, today it will be completely the opposite, cold, wet, and windy …
Sorry about your weather, Ivor. Thank you, and sweet dreams
Lovely colours in the equines today.
Thanks a lot, Tootlepedal
What a lovely day
Thanks very much, Gary
An idyllic day.
Thanks a lot, Judy
Boots, Whites and a forest drive! What a productive, beautiful day!
Love the foals and their Mums! Hope the Mums get enough to eat so they can feed those ravenously hungry babes!
Your B&W photos are so amazing, as always!
That last photo says, “Come on everyone! Let’s play in the sunshine!” 🙂
(((HUGS))) 🙂
Thank you so much, Carolyn X
It will be interesting to see how quickly the mares ‘lose their ribs’ once their foals are able to eat independently. While I always enjoy your photographs, this time the little girl gets the cake.
Thanks very much, Anne. She does
This is a set of excellent photos glistening with sun and families of ponies. The foals look especially cute.
Thank you so much, Uma
That little girl has a very unique kicking style, and left-footed at that! I like the posture of her right hand; it must help in the acceleration of that foot. Maybe she’ll be on your national soccer team one day.
Who knows? Thanks very much, Yvonne
What a lovely day!
Thanks very much, Sheree
While I suspect the diet of free-roaming ponies is a balanced one, they probably do not eat as much as the horses that do not roam free. We would also supplement the feed of new mothers.
Thanks a lot – in solidarity, Sue.
I wish I could bend my leg as much as the little child with the ball!
Join the club, John. 🙂 Thanks a lot
Wonderful pictures from today.
Thanks very much, Mrs W
Yes, feeding young takes a lot of energy. Still, the sight of such bare ribs is a little unsettling.
Thanks very much, Helen. The responses to this post have taught me something
I concur with JoAnne that nursing helps with weight control 😊
I was going to ask about those ribs showing on the mares. I’ll have to send a supply of apples and carrots over to you, eh?
🙂 Thanks a lot, GP
I suppose it is hard, when you eat grass and greenery, to keep with nutritional demands for two. Makes me wish those mothers could get some supplemental food.
Yes. Thanks very much, Laurie
I took the time to do a little reading about where you live. I was fascinated by all the seemingly wild horses! How interesting! I learned that the horses are actually owned by people? Is that correct? The whole place is like a protected area where they can roam. Fascinating to me. The photos are gorgeous!
Thanks very much, Mrs N. The New Forest is a National Park. Commoners, by residence, have ancient pasturage rights for their animals, which have right of way on the road. You might find this post interesting: https://derrickjknight.com/2016/08/30/the-drift/
Thank you! It’s all very interesting to me!
Beautiful photos, Derrick. I love the action shot of the little girl having fun in the sun. 🙂
Thank you very much, Sylvia
Those new mothers are converting a lot of their own energy to milk for the youngsters. The photos from your day are beautiful, Derrick and Jackie! The black and white shots provide are nice, too. They give a different feel to the scene. Summer looks like it is off to a good start there!
It was a good day, Lavinia. Summer slipped back today 🙂 Thanks very much
Delightful weather in which to show off their spare ribs, Derrick. I’m now wondering if your Hordle takeaway also included spare ribs.
Thanks very much, Roland. It didn’t, but you twigged the suggestive link
Such a glorious day.
x
Thanks very much, Melanie x
😊
Lovely gallery.
Beautiful pictures! ♥♥
Thank you very much, Sonali
You’re most welcome! ♥♥
Those nursing moms need to more to get some meat on those ribs. Thinking back to my nursing days, I could never get enough to eat!
Thanks very much, Barbara. This has taught me something
Those mare mothers really seem to have bony ribs! All for their young! 🐴💕
Yes. Human mothers seem to identify, which has been an education for me. Thank you very much, Ribana