Pure delight

It is the simple things

I was riding Brodie this morning as I think it is going to be quite warm today so rode him first thing. He is a chunky and very fluffy Highland pony so will melt in the heat if I ride him at midday. We do mostly the same kind of hacks around the farm and every day is slightly different due to mother nature changing the landscape and the wildlife coming and going. It really is wonderful and changes all the time.

However, this morning I was filled with pure and utter delight. We were skirting around the far side of the pond heading towards buzzard point when a mallard shot out of the reeds and swam to the far side of the pond. Lovely. However, as I called Harry to come on out of the reeds and stop splashing around looking for stones I saw the most wonderful sight.

There must have been about 20 of the most gorgeous and fluffiest little ducklings paddling with all their might out after the male duck with the mum following them up from behind. I think that because I was on Brodie they were not too bothered about me so we stood for a while and watched with delight.

The feeling I had in my tummy was of compelete happiness. It is such a lovely morning and I just felt so proud of the ducks for making it through the winter, sitting on their eggs safely and nurturing their little flufflings.

I will head back later on with my ‘proper’ camera to try and get some photos. In the mean time here is one of the geese that I sat with last night after I had fed the dogs.

Again, it was a privilege to be able to sit and watch much like the ducks. They allowed me to be present and sit a while. For so many years I have rushed about the place with work and life so it is a joy to be able to sit with nature a while and be present. Really present in the moment.

Right. Where is my Nikon? I am off to try and photograph the ducklings for you. Of course they will probably be asleep in the reeds but I am going to try.

Thank you for reading to the end x