Hairy Beast

 Highland Cattle are magnificent creatures. I know they're just cows but they are more than "just cows" they have a real presence and they evoke strong feelings.

These specimens are part of a small herd that are often found on Whitefield Moor just outside of Brockenhurst, these were making the most of a little shade from the afternoon sun at Whitemoor Pond. Along with the New Forest Ponies they are quite the tourist attraction, with lots of people stopping to take photographs.

Despite the small swarm of flies attached to its nose the cow in the first image looks quite serene, and is happily ignoring me.

I like the second image, when I look at it I think it has the bearding of a Roman Emperor, all it needs is a Laurel crown to finish the look.

The third and fourth images are the same except for the fact one is colour and the other is black and white. I can't decide which I lime best. I like the image because the cow is slowly ambling towards me. It looks purposeful but despite its size and those formidable horns it does not feel threatening at all. Nevertheless I got out of its way once I had got the shot, it was definitely not going to change course on my account.

Fat Cow

I did think about calling today's post something like "nice rack" but that would be tacky and beneath me, another option was "Moo!" but this cow was silently chewing so that didn't seem appropriate either. Now as I am writing I realise that "Fat Cow" is a misnomer too because this is in fact a bull but never mind...

I really like the black and white shot, and although the pictures are almost identical, taken just seconds apart I think it is a more effective image in black and white with greater contrast. I know that not everyone will agree with me on that but perhaps it is because I am colour blind in the first picture the bull is not as clearly defined as in the second because the browns and greens merge too much and while I like the picture it just doesn't work as well for me.

This fabulous beast lives in the New Forest and grazes on the pasture just outside of Brockenhurst. If you have ever been it is likely that you will have spotted this Bull or others like it as they are a fixture of the place. It is a place that I love to visit and where I have some very nice memories.