Although still cold, today was brighter and sunnier, casting long shadows early this afternoon, so we took a short forest drive after lunch.
Tempting me out of the car, a trio of ponies grazed or snoozed on the moorland outside Sway.
I then tramped over the shadow-streaked woodland floor featuring meandering fingers of mossy roots carpeted with golden, glinting, leaves on the approach to Bisterne Close.
This area has its share of decaying trees gradually returning to the soil;
and of scooped out bowls of winterbourne pools reflecting now skeletal trees on their surface on which float fallen leaves slowly descending like rocking canoes onto their clear beds.
Although the anonymous knitter of Pilley Street appears to have stopped decorating her letter box with the death of Queen Elizabeth, the group in Tiptoe Road are continuing their work.
This Christmas offering was rather windswept when I photographed it on our way home.
This evening we dined on tender roast lamb; crisp Yorkshire pudding and roast potatoes, some softer ones being sweet; crunchy carrots; firm broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and cauliflower, and meaty gravy with which Jackie drank Hoegaarden, I drank more of the Gran Selone, and Flo and Dillon drank fruit juice cordial.
The woods around your area are beautiful, Derrick. I would love to walk through them. ☺️🇬🇧
Thank you so much, John
You are welcome, Derrick. ☺️
Me too.
Wonderful shadowy images of the woodland, Derrick. We found it interesting that someone has taken up and continues the tradition of decorating the letter drop box.
It is fun, Maj and Sher. Thank you very much
This is the reason why I love nature! How beautiful!
Thanks very much, Dude
Today’s photos are pleasingly textural.
Thank you very much, Liz. Such kind light even around 3 pm
You’re welcome, Derrick.
I’m always amazed at the lack of undergrowth in your woods. Does it have to do with the grazing? Regardless, you’ve captured them in all their light and darkness and color and texture. I didn’t realize how much I missed the ponies.
Yes – the animals keep it down, Lisa. Thanks very much
That sounds like a cracking meal to end your day.
It was. Thanks very much, Tootlepedal
I bet the local wildlife were wondering what had happened to you
Thank you so much, Sheree 🙂
😎
Another winsome post with gorgeous pictures and lyrical descriptions. Sorry the master crocheter is on hiatus but I did like what was shown.
Thank you very much, Pat
You have some really beautiful photographs there, Derrick, with the dead leaves and the long shadows, but my favourite one has the “fingers of mossy roots” reaching through the leaf litter. It’s an LP cover of the early 1970s, just waiting for the call!
Thank you so much, John
Oh .. what a wonderful white pony photo, and think my “White Pony” poem from our book Perceptions needs a replay, Derrick …
“White Pony’
If I were to be reincarnated
I’m sure I’d be a tall white pony
A flashy show-jumping horse
Who knows his arduous course?
Hurdling coloured bars
And clearing hard brush fences
A swimmer, I’ve always been
So, the perilous water hazard
Would be a simple breeze
A shadow passed over, with ease
As my reflection in the pond
Magically vanished under my rider’s wand
Turning sharply on the pitch
Nearing the finishing stretch
I see more obstacles ahead
The doubles and triples, I dread
Without fear, forward I bound
Up, over and gliding down
My red-haired rider, she’s blushing and proud
Hearing loud applause, we bow to the crowd
Still a splendid description with its final tribute. Thanks very much, Ivor
Thank you Derirck and lovely initiall photo and poem for the beginning “our” book …
Love the post box decoration. Beautiful forest pictures.
Thank you very much, Andy
You’re welcome.
Beautiful rural scenery Derric & I love the good-doer who left the ornament on the mail box to cheers one and all.
Thank you very much, Cindy
Beautiful words and images. Good that someone is carrying on with the knitting.
Thank you very much, Laurie
I loved these words and the images they describe: “….the shadow-streaked woodland floor featuring meandering fingers of mossy roots carpeted with golden, glinting, leaves. Some roots and decaying trunks look like sculptures.
They do, JoAnna. This is much appreciated. Thank you.
Leaves abound in this post – so important for returning nutrients to the soil. You often depict the ageing trees: as photographic as they are, I am left wondering if there are new ones growing up somewhere to take their place.
Thanks very much, Anne. I must photograph some saplings
It must be nice to walk under those trees.
It is. Thanks very much, Arlene
😘
Another pleasant woodland walk.
One of the images of water pools appears to have formed the pools into a horse shape.
So it does, Sue. I hadn’t seen that. Thank you very much
Love the light and shadows and the artistic masterpieces they create! Thank you for capturing them in such beautiful photos!
We need to follow the ponies example and have some days in which we just graze and snooze, graze and snooze! 😉 😀
(((HUGS))) 🙂
PS… “Don’t be afraid of the shadows, it only means there is a light nearby.” – Amy Lee
Another fine quotation, Carolyn. Thanks very much X
Beautiful shots, Derrick!
Thank you very much, Jill
What a delight are those knitted decorations.
Thanks very much, John
Beautiful photos and lyrical descriptions, Derrick. The pony appears to be in deep thought.
Thanks very much, Merril. Not quite asleep
🙂
I can’t beat Ivor20’s poem, but thank you for the ponies featured and the cool ‘abandoned’ forest.
Thank you so much, GP
That looks like an Appaloosa pony, if a bit light-colored. I enjoy the woods you photograph because they have a moderately unkept look. While I enjoyed walking and biking in German forests, they are a bit tidy for my taste!
Thank you very much, Doug
Elm, willow, oak?I am intrigued by the name of these trees which form a strange landscape, Derrick
In friendship
MICHEL
Mostly oak and willow, Michel, my friend. We lost all our elms years ago. Thanks very much
Such beautiful photos with intriguing shadows from the streaming rays of sunlight. The knitted decoration is delightful.
Thank you very much, Eugi
I love the winter woodland scenes, Derrick and Jackie. The ponies are looking woolly again, too. We are not going to be seeing much of that beautiful angled light this week, as the rain is settling in again. There is a thick fog about this morning, and it is below freezing.
Thanks very much from us both, Lavinia. I hope your weather improves
We had a little sun today after the mists cleared.
I forgot to mention the post box knitters. I am sorry the one stopped after the death of the Queen, but glad the other is still at it. I enjoy seeing the knitters’ work, too.
Thanks very much, Lavinia
Lovely and lively play of lights and shadows in the woodland photos.
Thank you very much, Dolly
You are very welcome, Derrick.
The tree stump reminds me of a person waving.
I can see that, Sherry. There are a number of other possibilities, so I am pleased at your comment. Much appreciated.
A beautiful day! The decorations on the letter box are super cute 🎄
Thank you very much, Ribana
Sweet little knitters. I love that
Thanks very much, Flow