Early this morning Jackie ventured into the garden with her camera to
sweep some cobwebs. Lingering raindrops reveal the arachnid lacework and the length of their funambulist ropes.
The Assistant Photographer also photographed colourful coreopsis in Margery’s Bed;
vibrant Virginia creeper draping the Westbrook Arbour;
and the moisture-laden Rose Garden with its backcloth of mist.
Later in the morning we drove to Milford on Sea pharmacy for a repeat prescription, then to Wessex Photographic in Lymington for a spare ink cartridge.
Shortly before noon we continued to Beaulieu Heath, atop a small hillock on which stood three walkers.
It must have been a relative of Nugget’s perched on a prickly spire because we had left him at home.
There was sprinkling of assorted mushrooms among the browned heather, the spiky gorse, the rough grass and the trailing brambles.
Jackie also photographed a model plane enthusiast with his aircraft.
A pair of ponies, one chestnut and one grey, blended and contrasted with the russet bracken.
As they each ambled across the road, passing the 40 m.p.h. sign painted on the tarmac, I reflected as so often that impact from a vehicle travelling at this speed would surely result in fatal injury.
Some quite large foals, like this one at East End, are still being suckled by their mothers.
Early morning mist usually results in sunny afternoons. So it was today when Nugget supervised Jackie’s planting of tulips.
“Where’s Nugget?” (36).
This evening we dined on Jackie’s succulent sausages in red wine; creamy mashed potatoes; crunchy carrots and cauliflower, with which she drank Blue Moon and I drank more of the Fleurie.
I need to get some tulips in the ground this week too – thanks for reminding me – and I found nugget in this #36 – (tweet tweet)
Well spotted, Yvette. Many thanks
:”P)
Such a spectacular garden, love every single photo.
Thank you very much, Melissa Ann
Alarmed that either I was losing my sight or you were losing the ability to count I biggified the three walkers and was much relieved on both counts. Like an ostrich young Nugget believes if he can’t see us, we can’t see him. <3
I hadn’t known there were three until I got the zoom on them. Thanks very much, Pauline x
Hilarious, Pauline!
😀
Lovely!
Many thanks, Cindy
What an incredible spider web! I hope little Nugget doesn’t get stuck in it. Fantastic shots!
Thanks very much, Jill
I like that new website, What is its loading speed like?
The foal there certainly no longer requires a stepladder to get a drink.
Thanks very much, Leslie. It’s not new – I have just gone back to the old, Classic, editor – and it takes quite along time to upload pictures individually – but at least I have more control.
Methinks you missed that one. 🙂 The spiders spin more surely?
I did indeed, Leslie – dammit
The one pony looks like he’s posing for the photographer. Jackie is a talented photographer, too. So much talent under one roof!
Very many thanks, Sue
Jackie’s spider photos are amazing and I adore your stunning horse photos Derrick.
Thanks very much, Ivor
You have busy spiders and an excellent assistant photographer. I liked the series of horse portraits too.
Found it at last, Tootlepedal. Thanks very much
I can almost hear how muffled sounds would be in that shroud of mist. I hope Jackie didn’t make too many arachnids homeless. After all, they may assist Nugget in his food foraging needs in the coming winter. I understand robins are also fruit eaters, so do you think he’ll head south in search?
None at all in fact as I could see them I could duck under them, no sweeping was done! As long as they don’t climb on me I like spiders in the garden.
I have explained my double entendre with ‘sweep’ – as supported by Miriam-Webster among other dictionaries. :” to cover the entire range of
his eyes swept the horizon” Perhaps I was being too clever.
Thanks very much, Gwen. I have explained my double entendre with ‘sweep’ – as supported by Miriam-Webster among other dictionaries. :” to cover the entire range of
his eyes swept the horizon” Perhaps I was being too clever.
I was on my first coffee of the morning, so the double entendre went over my head. But now I have re-read, it makes perfect sense.
I’m relieved
Apparently some robins do migrate. Naturally we are hoping Nugget won’t
I’ve been delving into the difference between American and European Robins and find myself simultaneously anxious and encouraged for Nugget’s future at Downton.
🙂
I love the webs, well done Jackie.
Oh, wow, those hose photos are magnificent, the first is definitely worthy of framing!
Thanks very much, Sue
Nothing like a lot of spider webs to signal fall! I liked that picture of the hikers on the hill, too.
Thanks very much, Lisa.
Enjoyed your spider webs Derrick, and I absolutely love any pictures that captures early morning mists such as yours, they provide a great background to any rural scene I believe.
Great post as to be expected.
Cheers, Ian, mate
What beautiful spider webs! I stopped to admire one today on a flowering bush outside my bank, but it can’t compete with yours.
Thanks very much Rosaliene
Jackie’s photos are wonderful, as are yours. Those spider webs are amazing, and thanks for “funambulist.” I’m glad Nugget is still helping. 🙂
Shelly and Ron gave me a calendar featuring tear off pages for each day. Funambulist featured the day before. I might remember it now :). Thanks very much, Merril
🙂
Derrick, once again, wonderful garden pictures. Thank you for the ‘your’. I’ve been negligent in commenting. Hope to catch up You’ve been well, I hope. And why wouldn’t you be with those delicious sounding sausages. My mouth is watering…num, num, num!
Thanks very much, Steve. No pressure
Your garden must have been spectacular in the height of the summer. Lovely! I love the arachnid lace!
Thank you very much, Selina. I loved your post about the garden hoard
Are those mushrooms edible? I love it when you feature Nugget in your posts.
Thanks very much, Arlene. I don’t know enough about mushrooms to try them
I don’t remember which of the spiders do this, but some eat their webs at night and rebuild them the next day. As I recall, it’s both nourishing for the spiders, and a way to avoid letting predators know where they are. It’s all quite complicated out there in nature, but the photos of these webs are beautiful!
That is fascinating information, Linda. Many thanks.
The photographic assistant is close to being a master. The spiders seem to have provided impetus for those fetching shots. Those complete webs look mesmerising. You don’t seem to have been able to hide Nugget challengingly in this one.
Thanks very much, Uma. Nugget kept nipping off for sentry duties
I always enjoy the photos here, but these are especially beautiful.
Many thanks, JoAnna
I love the atmosphere at this time of year – wherever there are trees! The cobwebs look brilliant, by the way. Hopefully, there will never be a casualty on that 40 mph stretch you featured.
Thanks very much, Dolly. Unfortunately there are casualties
That’s sad 😕
Indeed. One recent year the deaths were in 3 figures
How awful! Poor horses….
I think Nugget is a bit to the left of the center, with his back to us. Incidentally, is Nugget a boy or a girl?
Thanks very much, Dolly. Well spotted. He is a boy – judging by his aggressive singing to repel intruders.
Says who – you or Jackie? In my experience, females of many species, including human, are much more aggressive.
(If Nugget sings he’s a male) Looks like we’re finally getting towards the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness. And it’s nice too, to see the Leprechaun Air Force keeping us all safe
Thanks very much, John. Definitive confirmation of our sexing belief
Fabulous photos, Jackie!
That is one artistic, hardworking spider you have in your garden! Beautiful webs!
Your photos are lovely, too, Derrick!
Hey, Nugget! I see you!
Tulips! How wonderful! I can’t wait to see them bloom! Will they be the color shown on the packaging?
The model-plane guy looks like he’s saying something important!
HUGS!!! 🙂
PS…I am off to look up the word “funambulist”. 🙂
Many thanks, Carolyn. Well Nugget spotted. The tulips will be as portrayed on the packaging – they are considered to be the darkest, nearest to black, variety
Wow, what a cobweb! Derrick your garden or should I say Nugget’s garden is beautiful also in the early morning! 🙂
Thank you very much, Ribana
The Return of Nugget! Hoorayy!! 🙂 No need to biggify to spot his post-erior. 😉
Lovely shots of Jackie’s spider webs! – they reminded me of this in the weekend paper:
https://lovewillbringustogether.files.wordpress.com/2019/10/spider.jpg?resize=400%2C400
Excellent shots of the ponies – i really love the ‘brack’n white’ photo’s. 😀
Thanks very much, Bob. Nice punny comments and funny joke in the link
Those spiders put up masterpieces of construction overnight, don’t they?! Great photos and you even made the Wheres Nugget easy ! You must have been in a good mood, eh?
🙂 When Nugget spends most of his time on sentry duty you have to be quick to catch him. Thanks very much, GP
Hello Derrick, I was wondering, with your permission, and with due credit to you and your site, if could use the picture I like yesterday, the on of the white in the forest, as a feature photo for a poem I’ve just written… Actually I’ll paste the poem for you here.(I might do a bit editing yet)
A 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 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 riders 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-head rider, she’s feeling proud
Hearing loud applause, we bow to the crowd
I am honoured, Ivor. That would be lovely – especially with the ‘red-head rider’. Thank you very much.
Thank you Derrick, that’s so kind of you, I’m quite excited to use your photo. It be a while before I post the poem, it’s 2.50am here and I must get back to sleep 😴😴
🙂
I’ve just posted the poem “White Pony” Derrick, and I’m very pleased with the final presentation… Again thank you Derrick, I truly appreciate your generosity….
I’ll be over to look at it soon 🙂
I found Nugget right away! Those photos of the spiderwebs are beauties. What exquisite weaving those spiders do!
Thanks very much, Laurie. It is amazing how much is revealed by raindrops
I love a misty morning in the garden! Such beautiful images Jackie captured, and those webs are amazing! 🙂
Thank you very much, Julie
I am a fan of spiderwebs, and ponies. Beautiful fall photos, Derrick and Jackie!
Thanks very much, Lavinia
Amazing how much harder it is to see Nugget when his back is turned – but I found him! This is a beautiful collection of photos – Well done, both of you!
Very many thanks, Jodie
: )
I concur with the comments of your other readers about the lovely photos. I would like to know what the model plane enthusiast is saying as he stands there with arms akimbo.
Thanks very much, Liz. He was talking to a man who had parked beside him to walk his dog. There is a sign saying that the area is solely for a model plane club. I’m sure a good writer could do something with that 🙂
Thanks for the context, Derrick!
Some wonderful photos from the both of you. The spider webs are quite impressive.
Thanks very much, Jerry
So you have a bed of roses, a chair of fuchsias and….(I’ve heard of lawn furniture, but you are making an art of it.)
Thanks very much, Judy 🙂
Tulips !!
Thank you very much, Witty.
Your garden is my happy place.
🙂 That’s lovely, Leslie. Thanks very much
You’re welcome!
The spider artists are at work again.
Indeed. Thanks very much, Lindsey