I’m still way behind on things, after being away for the weekend, so I’m simply going to wow you with lots of pretty photos — and a vaguely interesting breadcrumb of information.
First, the anecdote, about horses. I was talking to a cute Welsh birdie about horses, as one does, and the talk quickly shifted to the topic of herds. There were lots and lots of horses in the New Forest, but all in small groups of two or three. If you saw the horsie photo yesterday, you’ll get what I mean — why are they alone, in the middle of nowhere? The mare on the left is pregnant — ‘so is that her mate on the right?’ I ask. Apparently not — female horses hang out together! The men only get called in to do the dirty when the mares are in season, otherwise… they have to go and sit alone somewhere, probably under a tree. Sucks to be them. The small clumps of horses come together at night, when they’re cold, to form a herd! Herds are led by the the most matronly mare — usually the one that kicks and bites the most.
And with that truly awesome bit of info to kick off your day, let’s get to the photos!
I’ve been experimenting with the 50mm landscape again, and — I hope you’ll agree — with quite pleasing results.
(My favourite of the day. 50mm lens, boo-ya!)
(I like how the horse on the right almost looks like a unicorn…)
(Looks a bit like a book cover or something…!)
(After the apocalypse… there will just be horses. This one’s a bit Wuthering Heights.)
(Bit boring this photo… but thought you might like to see just how few trees there are in the New Forest!)
(See, England can look expansive! They’re right there, in the middle. A rare glimpse at the sky too!)
the girl in stiletto
Feb 23, 2010
who’s horses are those?
chiefy
Feb 23, 2010
I like the ‘book cover’ one. It looks like the human and the horsie are talking to each other.
Sara Strand
Feb 23, 2010
Well after your tidbit I would have to say that horses and people aren’t that different. Much like the horses, boys are only good for the dirty & fun deed, and doing their baby making part. And while guys don’t go under a tree (I’m sure some do) you mostly hibernate in a small room with a few odds & ends and a computer. This describes my hubs perfectly. And I lead my like herd and it’s a proven fact that I bite and kick.
chiefy
Feb 23, 2010
horsie?
sebastian
Feb 23, 2010
Horsie… horse… it’s all the same, give or take twenty or thirty years and the relevant maturity…
They’re wild, Stiletto! We have lots of wild horses in the UK. They don’t usually look as healthy as that, in my experience, but I’m pretty sure they don’t belong to anyone.
Most male and female mammals are the same, Sara
Eleni
Feb 23, 2010
Pretty photos, for a relatively bleak setting. That white horse does seem a bit unicorn-like. They’re not very afraid of humans, are they?
I’ve been to Assateague (a barrier island split by Maryland and Virginia) a couple times, where they have wild horses by the beach. It’s pretty cool, but you do have to worry about stepping in undesirable things. Didn’t notice any unicorns, unfortunately, and never got any nice pictures of them.
Art
Feb 24, 2010
Oh, I LOVED the New Forest. Your pics came out a heck of alot better than mine. I quite like the black and white one.
sebastian
Feb 25, 2010
I think I’ve only been once before… to Beaulieu. And that was yeeeears ago. Kinda sad, considering it’s just 50 miles to my west.
I liked my brief visit though, and I saw a hint of just how beautiful it COULD be with the right conditions. I will return!
Carly Findlay
Mar 6, 2010
Sebastian.
You are cute, funny and a great writer. I am following you, pronto!