Congenial

Skating very close to anthropomorphism, but why not, a recent conversation questioned if wildlife of various kinds might be happier in good weather. Perhaps substitute 'contented' or 'relaxed' or 'less anxious' and you can see that it's not an entirely futile question.

A spell of settled weather is not something we get every year at this time. Plants that grow tall can be sadly and disappointingly flattened in stormy wet conditions and some years we never see them at their best. A favourite of mine is the variety of grasses in early morning. Ragged Robin is welcome too, always looked forward to in the dark winter days.

And many very common weeds have astonishing beauty but only when we see them differently than we do when tending the vegetable patch.

The usual pair of deer had been supplanted this morning by three big stags. Where have they been? Most seen yesterday on Bigmoor were hinds and stags have been noted absentees on Blacka of late. Nobody could question their contentment as they surveyed Blacka below.

On Bigmoor they would have been off before anyone could get half as close. That is what's interesting (endearing?) about deer. They are unpredictable. Or rather they are driven by forces we find hard to fathom. This group, which could be four judging by the tangle of antlers on the left, may not have come from Bigmoor but instead be returning from an expedition around the village. One summer, years ago I saw a comical sight of a dozen or so sets of antlers waving in the middle of a cornfield as if disembodied. I hope the farmer had a sense of humour.

Birds too are both relaxed and active with family parties everywhere even in the desolate sheep pasture where starlings in large numbers arrive each summer. Warblers among the birch leaves are a lovely if teasing sight.