The Fox and the Hens - the Barn Owl and the Rat

I found this four-leaf clover today.

I admit that it looks as though it has seen better days,

but it has already brought me 

some good luck...

...for on today's walk I spotted these little dots

and managed to snatch 

a photograph

just before their mama hid them in the bank

of the Great Eau.

The weather is cold, damp and gloomy

but the hedgerows are

filled with the golden buttercups

and red campion.

I found this fairy door...

... and my good fortune continued,

for I found these two families

on the fish pond.

Moments later a large and beautiful Barn Owl flew out of the trees,

a mere fifteen feet away from me,

she had a young rat in her mouth.

It was an incredible sight - no time to get a photograph, alas.

Image by dries gaerdelen

Home Sweet Home!

However, Mother Nature hadn't finished with me yet...

for as Toby and I made our way through the garden 

to the Boot Room

I was treated to the sight of a large and very beautiful fox...

...I had a moment of sheer delight at the beauty of him/her

then my thoughts were for our hens

who free-range in the woodland.

image by irishfieldsports

Mr/Mrs Fox had run off through the wheat field by this time.

I think I got home just in time to deny him his breakfast.

It may take more than a four-leaf clover to keep our girls safe.