Combat among the cows
They're a companionable bunch, the cattle in the field opposite. Keeping close to one another, rumps to the prevailing wind, they wait out each bout of bad weather. Today, though the wind has dropped and the rain has ceased, they're still sticking together and are grazing in a compact group by the edge of the little pool that appears each winter.
Heads down, they are placidly content in their own cow world and completely oblivious to the life or death struggle taking place about and above them. A merlin has just swerved its way around and between their massive bodies in pursuit of prey that has tried to confuse it by dodging among the cattle. But the ruse fails, and both birds emerge to engage in aerial battle silhouetted against the blank grey sky.
Continue reading...