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.

Winter Gold

As winter approaches you don't really expect to see brightly coloured flowers but on Thurstaston Common lit up by the rising sun I found this beautiful gorse in full bloom. I am always surprised by how delicate the flowers are compared to the violently spiky foliage.

Frosty Moss

Looking down as I walked across the common I saw this clump of frosty moss and what I think is a variety of Ganoderma fungus. It looks rather like a colony of coral.

As The Sun Rises

Sunrise on Thurstaston Common on a very cold and frosty morning. 

Frozen Oak

This little oak shoot was springing up through the grass and I was surprised to see it because the oak tree I have in my garden has already shed all of its leaves.

I love the frosty coating and close up it looks like tiny grains of salt or icing sugar.