THE RAMBLINGS OF A STRUGGLING ARTIST ON LIFE WITH TWO TERRIERS, A PONY WITH ISSUES AND OTHER WILDLIFE AND BIRDS THAT CROSS OUR PATH

1 October 2012

A FRACTURED HERD AND A CHANGE IN THE SEASONS


I haven't seen the herd now for over a week. I stand mournfully on various vantage points, staring into the distance, and it is some distance, to no avail. They are obviously beyond my reach. Strangely, over the weekend I have seen two tiny splinter groups on their own quite close by, one of two fillies, the other comprising foal number two, his mum and one of the geldings. I really miss the others but had a nice experience on Sunday morning with number two coming up to have a good sniff and nuzzle with me. He had a tick hanging off his upper eye lid which I was itching to do something about but I think it might have ruined a beautiful relationship, so I resisted the urge!




Itchy nose

The temperatures have changed noticeably, particularly in the evening, and Trigger has been in a lightweight rug. Wondering how many anti-rub vests he'll manage to lose this year. It was three last year so I'm trying one involving a strap between the legs but am now worried that the strap might rub. I have no idea what he does with them or who, in the animal kingdom, takes them away once he has discarded them. Only time will tell. 

The moor is in flux at the moment and there is not a lot of visible wildlife. I am no longer chasing elusive butterflies and dragonflies, or photographing the corpses of small mammals. The only things out there are almost silent skylarks, cows, sheep and endless Fox Moth Caterpillars. Prepare for many shocking images of them through the winter; they seem to survive anything!


Snippet and I went for a long pony searching walk last week, to a valley I couldn't see from the vantage points. No ponies but a lovely buzzard almost at head level when we were climbing out of the valley. Here it is along with other pictures from that day. With the grey weather and lack of activity out there, the camera has not been doing a great deal else recently.







patriotic sheep


And a very few more images from this week.....







You can just see Hound Tor and Haytor in the distance behind the sheep


Primula getting ahead of itself in the garden

The rain has finally reached us today and is adding to the squelchiness of the moor. More deep holes in the long grass made by cows for me to fall down, I hope not in view of the odd brave tourist; I do try and keep my distance, if only to avoid Snippet jumping all over them. I selfishly like it when I see nobody! Till next time.....some hole-makers laughing at me.




20 comments:

  1. What lovely photos, I feel as if I am there on the moors. I loved the cows - and Snippet of course.

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    1. That cow on the left really is that colour. Looking at it again I think it looks like the photo's over-exposed on that side!

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  2. There's something very reassuring about these Fox Moths, I feel; the fact that at this late stage in the year there are so many caterpillars about, ensuring a future flutter of flying creatures. Some wonderful photos, Em.

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    1. Thanks Caroline. I know what you mean although, having looked at a picture of a fox moth, I don't think I've ever actually seen one. A night flier presumably.

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  3. transported to another world! ( yes it does look different to wales)
    johnx

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    1. Friends of ours who live in London refuse to visit, calling it Bleakmoor. They're missing out.

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  4. Beautiful! A real wilderness!

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    1. Is there any moorland on the IOW? My 1974 experience only included Blackgang Chine, Osbourne House and the and beach with different coloured sand whose name escapes me. Not a very imaginative school trip! I have wondered, since reading your blog, what the countryside really involves.

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  5. I love the photo of those cows ... awesome, Em !

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    1. I think they were bullocks so I was a bit wary as they often chase poor Snippet. They were very friendly though.

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  6. Such wonderful photos of the vastness of the Moors. Strange about the ponies, wonder if their owners rounded them up?

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    1. I've seen them for the first time today and will post about them this week. I'm so relieved!

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  7. Tell the friends from London that it is the most beautiful place on God's earth (but then I am a tad biased!) You will have to sell calenders of your beautiful photographs - they are wonderful evocative vistas. Thank you for sharing, Em.

    I hope that you can find the rest of the herd soon and that the youngsters haven't been taken off to the sales.

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    1. I have to agree with you there. I never feel right when I'm away from here. I must get organised with the photos as I think they're a better bet than the drawings!

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  8. All I can say is that I really enjoyed reading and exploring your blog. Thanks for your effort. I really appreciate it. God bless you.

    bean bags

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    1. Thank you. I've just been reading about bean bags....will be in touch!

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  9. I`ll second BB`s thought that you should produce a calendar from your wonderful Dartmoor photos!

    Have they started rounding up the ponies yet? That may explain why the herd is dispersed. The New Forest Drifts have begun and that scatters family groups for a while. I hate trying to work out who has been removed from the herds and why. Especially the less-than-perfect colt foals :-(

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  10. I will definitely do one for next year when I have a full season's worth of photos. It's so beautiful here in the snow and frost. Most of my winter ones are a bit Snippety or family orientated which probably aren't appropriate!

    Having seen them all just after my last post, I would say not. Also, I don't think any of the three or four owners that are included in the herd sell off their ponies in the way that some do but we will see. It was lovely to see them but they had all gone again the following morning. I'll be off searching again after lunch....

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  11. Thank you for your kind comment on my blog, your blog is wonderful and I'll look forward to more updates :)
    Rich and Frankie

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Thank you so much for leaving a comment. It's great to read them and I will always try to reply.