Lentevreugd & Wassenaarse Slag

Today I have decided to go visit the grazing project in an enclosed area close to where my parents live. It is a unique habitat, it used to be grounds on which bulbs have flowered until few years ago. It forms the border to the dunes, and this 'foredunes' are rare in our nation since many people live on this area or use it for flower growing. But here it got returned to nature and they 'hired' about 50 highland cows and 20 Konik horses (a primal breed) to maintain the growth of grass and trees.
The area is still evolving, more and more species arrive to find a place to live. But february is a dead time, so I came across the cows and horses that cant go anywhere, a deer and a white herron.

During my short visit I didnt feel too comfy, not many people come here so I was all alone and the animals can be unpredictable. Yet stories of accidents are extremely rare.
First I came across the first herd of cows, laying down, watching and following me with their hairy and big horned heads. Nothing to worry, even the young cow meters away from the walking path didn't care. Cows are naturally very curious animals, so I didnt really dare to take pictures since I need to be rather close.

As I continued to walk to the back (foot of the dunes) I spotted the first Konik horses. But first in the bushes next to me there was a deer, probably a roedeer, as she was all alone and had a paddy bum. She fleed very fast but silently into the bushes. Completely gone from vision.

Once with the horses I had to cross the herd over a frozen splash of water. Also here the horses were very close, looked up and grazed on. In the distance I saw a huge horse I assumed to be the stallion, but it approached me in full curiosity. I noticed it was a mare, probably the alpha mare. She crossed the path behind me, and went to the top of a small hill. Probably she was on the watch out there. I quickly took some pictures, but another young horse came my way in a more jolly way. Not in trot but focussing in curiosity as well. I decided to take a distance and had no choice than to cross the ice. In a safer distance I looked at them for a while, the youngster stopped at what I think was its mother and they started to groom eachother a bit.

 The horses didn't show any action or nice positions to take pictures. So I made my way back to the entrance. Passing by the lake where 2 white herrons were hanging out. But they flew off when I wanted to approach to take a picture.

Then with the cows I decided to take some pictures. I have been taking photography lessons, and learned how to manually set the exposure without ever needing flashlight. So, all this pictures (a small exception is possible though, because for quick shoots I still use full auto) I experimented with exposure, diafragm and ISO. I am not at all complaining about the result. Next task is stop using auto focus. But that one is too tough for me. So the cows... Now they all were standing, and some young bulls were battling off.

In a distance there stood a beautifull pitch black cow, I never seen those. But I was worried why she was standing so alone there. After I pictured the others, I went to a closer position on the other side of the frozen stream, she carefully followed me with her eyes. And then... hestitated she started to cross the ice! Now I got a little scared, I thought myself to be rather safe here, so I backed a few (or a lot) of meters. She really planned on paying me a visit, she came over the dunes, stood there watching me, and finally decided to continue her way to the herd. It remains a mystery why she crossed the ice, because she could also have walked on the banks towards the herd.

I followed a flock of birds (kramsvogel) of which I don't remember the English name.

Since I had some time left I decided to go to Wassenaarse Slag too. A 3 km walking route, and this forest is very attractive with its steeper hills than the AWD where I usually go to. But since you can enter with bikes, dogs, horses and a road crosses it, you barely see any wildlife at all. It is a pitty.
I noticed this area I visited also borders another bigger enclosure with highland cows and Konik horses. I might consider visiting this one once too, but you need to walk 2 km at first to reach it anyway. And then manage to find them, because here are much more trees and it is not flat land like Lentevreugd. It seems to be something to do in a safer time, when there are no calf and foals are expected. I don't want to imagine coming across a cow or mare in labour. Well... I noticed we are not allowed off the beaten tracks here anyway.

Next visit sure will be AWD again. I think. Soon the nightengales start to sing again. Which reminds me, I forgot again about the course for recognising bird songs. I do so for over 5 years allready. But they are never smart enough to do more than one course.