Late in the afternoon the sun cast a warm glow across our garden, so we decided to go for a walk; we chose one of our favourite routes skirting a large wood, snow still lay in the shadow of the ditches.
It didn't take long before we spotted others enjoying the last rays of afternoon sunshine – a hare basks with his nose facing west towards the setting sun.
Hares are difficult to photograph at the best of times, but I managed to zoom in on this one – aren't its ears beautiful?!
And there goes another . . . racing along the skyline!
It was that time of evening when the deer come out of the woods to graze in the fields – a magnificent Fallow buck followed by three hinds.
In the fading light and against the brown fields they were difficult to see, let alone photograph. This group of female Fallow deer were on the other side of a tall hedge, I managed to find a gap through which to get a good view – they had spotted me!
You can clearly see the colour variation in the herd; the classic fawn and brown, and the very dark almost black 'melanic' variation.
The sky in the west was glowing brightly and we new we were in for a good sunset . . .
and then an extraordinary flare of colour – a Sun Pillar
Sun or Solar Pillars are the result of the Sun's rays being reflected and refracted by millions of ice crystals in the atmosphere.
You can read more about the hows and whys of Sun Pillars here.
A crepuscular spectacular! We couldn't have hope for more.
Celia
x
What a marvelous, magical evening!
ReplyDeleteAnd now for something completely different, pics taken on a evening walk from our very urban environment, a music festival on a summer evening. . . .oh well, I was going to attach them, but don't see that option here. All I can say is, they were dancing in the grass by the lake with skyscrapers in the background.
ReplyDeleteVictoria
A lovely post, your images are lovely and the sun pillars are beautiful. Lets hope we get to see more sun soon!!!
ReplyDeleteYou have some amazing images here Celia, you were so lucky to catch the Hares, they usually run away at the first sight of a human. The sun pillars are spectacular, I don't think I have ever seen one.
ReplyDeleteI am impressed by your title too!
Stunning! Here's hope for Spring.
ReplyDeleteWonderful photographs, Celia. Hares and deer always lend a touch of magic to the landscape and this is no exception. We have roe deer in the wood but nothing like the number you seem to have in this little herd.
ReplyDeleteCelia, your photographs from that late afternoon walk are marvelous. Please do take your camera with you on all future walks!
ReplyDeletePerhaps those hares appeared because they know how much you enjoy seeing them and drawing them? Wonderful that you were able to quickly take their photos.
The the deer are remarkable. That group photo is quite something. So much focused attention in their poses.
And then...that sunset. Ahhhh. Transfixing.
Best wishes to you and yours for a very Happy Easter. As the days lengthen, the opportunities for afternoon walks multiply.
xo
Oh Celia, your pictures are breathtaking. We are lucky to live in an area with such huge skies. I try to remind myself of that every time I curse the lack of hills :-)
ReplyDeleteThose photographs are spectacular but I bet it was even better seeing it in reality. Must read more about sun pillars and pray I might see one this year.... sometime.
ReplyDeleteneato!
ReplyDeleteYou did well to photograph those hares. It has been a long Winter but finally I think we are around the corner into Spring. Finally we can get going on the allotment! xx
ReplyDelete