Danni has e-mailed me two more photographs from yesterday’s visit.
They were engrossed in one activity or another.
Note the tiptoes.
This morning’s steady rain made way for an afternoon of bright sunshine prompting us to drive to the north of the forest, via South Sway Lane where
our friendly equine henceforth, in recognition of her eye, to be called Gimlet ignored my invitations to eat a carrot I held up to view. She remained in the high corner of her field which, although
not completely waterlogged,
was decidedly squelchy.
While I was attempting to tempt Gimlet Jackie collected another bag of horse manure before moving on
to Gorley Road,
one of the more dramatically flooded lanes we were to encounter. Each passing vehicle sent up sunlit spray splashing anything or anyone within reach.
Jackie is working on adjusting to her varifocal specs, especially in relation to peripheral vision when driving. She was therefore very pleased that she was able to spot a solitary Egyptian goose in a field further along the road.
Naturally I had to photograph it
through a hole in the hedge.
While I was at it I pictured a distant herd of deer and
a horse in a rug designed for protection against the overnight colder temperatures.
We continued to Furze Hill along which donkeys ambled, passing basking ponies, and occasionally pausing to
clip a hedge
or hold us up with a scratch. The pictures of the three donkeys on the road and clipping the hedge are Jacki’e work.
I photographed some of the ponies and
while I was tempted by the sound of its fast flowing water to concentrate on Latchmore Stream
the Assistant Photographer demonstrated why she is not really secondary.
A little further along the road another herd of deer scarpered when I poked my camera at them.
This evening we dined on left overs from last night’s takeaway meal augmented by Jackie’s authentic chicken curry.
Life always looks so much more peaceful on your side of the world 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Thanks very much, Billie Marie. I couldn’t see how to make comments on your posts.
A bit of Noah’s Ark story today Derrick, floods, horses, deer, donkeys, geese, and even a few humans…
Great observational comment, Ivor. Thanks very much.
Still very water-logged I see. Hopefully, it’ll start to dry up soon.
Another named storm coming tomorrow, Sheree, but thanks a lot for your hopes.
Oh no 😬
Gorgeous shots Derrick.
What a charming photo of Jackie and Ella! And all the animals. I love those donkey faces, and the rushing water. The “framed” deer photo at the end is wonderful. 🙂
Thank you very much, Merril. I am particularly pleased that you liked that framed picture.
Yes, I really do!
We had black parrots and rozellas here this morning. It certainly is a beautiful world.
Indeed, Chrissy. Many thanks.
I’m just loving Ella’s pants! Great photos, Derrick!
Me too, Jill. 😍
Thanks very much, Jill.
Lovely photos. One of the horses in the distance looks like he was wearing an overcoat.
He was. They call them rugs. Domestic animals wear them through the winter. The Forest ponies grow their own coats. Thanks a lot for noticing, Drew.
Jackie takes pretty good photos. 👏🏻 I love Ivor’s Noah’s Ark comment. 😃
Thanks a lot from us both, Sylvia.
Lovely photos of Ella and Jackie. I’m please Ella visits you often, you obviously all reap the benefits of this time with her.
Thank you for the photos of the donkeys.
Thanks for these comments, Sue.
You had a nice, sunny day for a forest drive! Gimlet is a fine name for the carrot-loving pony. 🙂
Thanks very much, Lavinia.
More adorable pictures of adorable Ella! She does step on full foot rather than tiptoes, most of the time, doesn’t she? (that was a professional question, Derrick).
I gather it was Jackie who took a photo of the donkey’s behind. It looks like you are swimming, rather than driving there; you need one of those aquatic vehicles that proliferate on our island under the name “Duck Tours.”
Please tell the Culinary Queen I was thinking of her today as I made Chicken Jalfrezi.
Thanks very much from us both, Dolly. Ella does walk on full foot – here she was on tiptoe to gain height. Chicken Jalfrezi is a nice link.
Thank you for reassuring me about Ella’s manner of walking, Derrick. May she be healthy and thrive!
You certainly have got a lot of ‘sog’ still about but you have some lovely light too.
One of the advantages of improved forecasting is that we could wait for that light before going out. Thanks a lot, Tootlepedal
I do enjoy your adventures in the home and around your wonderland. That photo of the golden pony with the halo of sunlight on its shoulder is captivating.
Thank you very much, JoAnna. The light was good to us.
Ha, ‘Gimlet’ is so fitting! You’ll have to do better than one carrot is you are to win her over I think. Sorry about all your sog being back. You both make it look so attractive though 🙂
Thanks a lot, Pauline. Compared with the rest of the country we have it easy.
We never see ponies in Australia, so I really enjoy yours.
I’m pleased that you do, Peggy. Thanks very much.
How delighted I am to see an Egyptian Goose pop up in your post – native to large parts of Africa and so a very familiar bird to me.
I’ve never seen one before, Anne. Had to plough through goose on Google. 🙂 Thank you very much.
I’m in the midst of fine-tuning my new installation of Windows 10, but I had to stop by and see your photos. Those tippy-toes are the best! Now, if only we could see some of the ponies on their tippy-toes!
I’ll do my best, Linda. Good luck with your Windows 10. Thanks a lot.
The little one at her tiptoes is a sight to behold. She reminded me of the times when my twins were of that age.
Adjusting to varifocals can be a trying enterprise. Peripheral vision is a dream, unless you pay bucketloads of money. I wish the best to Jackie. Going by her shots of the ponies, she is certainly rubbing shoulders with the Primary Shooter.
There are many keepers from those shots. The donkeys passing by the hedge, the trunks rising at will from the water, the rugged pony and the deer at distance.
Thank you so much, Uma. It is good to see you. I trust you are OK
This, Derrick. I have been in the midst of sorting out a few things.
Thanks for explaining. You have been missed – but no pressure.
Maybe Gimlet is wanting an apple. 😀 😉
Beautiful photos, Danni, Jackie, and Derrick! 🙂
Love Ella’s tiptoe stance! 😀 As she gets older, she’ll learn tiptoeing is a good way to sneak up on people! 😉 😛
I asked Cooper if we should adopt one of those sweet little donkeys, and he “Ha’d”!
Ha! 😀
HUGS!!! 🙂
Thanks very much, Carolyn. Cooper wants you all to himself 🙂 X
You’re welcome, Derrick!
Aw, thanks!
Cooper probably thinks supervising me is a big enough job…he probably doesn’t want to have to supervise a donkey, too. 😛 HA! 😀
🙂
Wonderful gallery Derrick.
Thank you very much Rupali.
Interesting to see the Egyptian geese in the New Forest. We’ve had them here on the Thames for a few years now. Thanks for your excellent Forest Diary.
Thanks a lot, Roland. Much appreciated.
I can remember when, if you wanted to see an Egyptian Goose you had to go to Norfolk, and now they are quite common. They always look to me as if they are waiting to see their psychiatrist.
Thanks for confirming my identification, John. I’ve never seen one before.
I do need to catch up. 😊
🙂
The tiptoe…love it!
Thanks a lot, Arlene
A great bunch of pictures today, but I can’t help but hope oour pony wasn’t stuck in the mud and couldn’t get to the carrot.
She was on solid ground, GP. Thanks very much.
Thanks!!
Absolutely loved this post Knight. Jackie, donkey, tiptoes…
Thank you very much, Flower
Beautiful pics Derrick – my daughter especially liked that the horse had a coat on 🙂 So rainy and flooded here too – out in the forest yesterday we kept getting our path cut off by rivers that didn’t previously exist 🌿
That sounds familiar, Tiny. I’m pleased about the coats. 🙂 Thanks very much.
The tippy-toe girl has gotten bigger since her last photo shoot! Thanks for sharing, Derrick.
Thank you very much, Jean
A great photo of Jackie, and great photos by Jackie. Is there no end to her talent?
I suppose in fairness I have to say they were great pictures of you and great pictures by you. However, we do know where the end of your talents lies, because it seems you can’t even attract a pony with a carrot. I bet Jackie could…
Turncoat
🙂 Nothing like a little healthy competition to raise your game.
Oh, those little feet and those little legs! Made my day. And I had to giggle over the interchange between you and Quercus. Turncoat, indeed!
🙂 Lovely comments, Laurie. Many thanks
Oh, I love those backlit horses and the furry donkeys – but most of all the tippy-toed sweetheart! Oh, and “squelchy” – – – good word, Derrick! <3 Lotsa water there, Squelchy indeed!! <3
Thanks very much, Jan. I am now following JemVerse.
Oh my, the very next blog I read (one from Jem Croucher) used that same fun word. Here’s her first stanza:
Ditchling Down
the path so steep
and us all slippy-sliding
In squelchy mud
unbalanced from
the frigid winds all hiding…”
Check out JemVerse.
Thanks very much, Jan. She looks good.
I saw those those tippy toes right away and was glad for a close up of them. After that I zeroed in on the two different kinds of tiny deer you photographed! My! I’m going to have to do some research.
Thanks a lot, Lisa.
I like the Egyptian goose and the herd of deer, but Jackie and Ella take the prize out of this group.
They do indeed, Liz. Much appreciated.
Love the tippy-toes 😀 … an excellent collection of photos from you both. 🙂
Thanks very much from us both, Widders.
Lovely photos of Jackie and Ella and the back-lit ponies are gorgeous! I also love the shots of the Latchmore Stream.
Gimlet was not in a mood for a carrot 🥕
So much water and so many ponies…I love this wild place 🤩
Beautiful pictures as always Derrick!
Thank you so much, Ribana