Horse and Heron

Sounds like a pub name, but it does describe an interesting happening this afternoon at the Montrose Nature Reserve. There was plenty going on and I got hundreds of captures, including a very blurred Reed Warbler. But this Highland Pony caught my fancy and then the Heron insisted on being part of the scene - so here they are together:-)  These beautiful Highland Ponies were once used for general farmwork such as ploughing, taking farmers to market, and bringing home the peat across treacherous boggy ground. They are still used for drawing carts, and by shepherds in the hills, and for light forestry work. There are two at the Reserve at the moment on loan from the Retirement Stables - they perform a useful duty at the Reserve because they love the grass and reeds that grow there and keep it in check.  There is a Highland Pony Society - naturally the Patron is the Queen!