I used to be a Londoner, but what I adore about settling in the countryside is that I can just put on my wellies and take a walk on the wild side. Like yesterday morning’s encounters with wildlife in our garden or near where I live in Sussex.
The sun was out so I decided to head down to the woods next to our house. No need for a car as it was just a short stroll away.
Wildlife around me had decided to do the same. A herd of fallow deer were grazing in a field just behind the trees. It took me a moment to realise there was a second herd nearby too, grazing and sitting in the grass.
But they had caught my scent in the cool soft breeze. The stags in this herd were immediately on alert. Then within moments this group enjoying the sunshine on a winter’s day were off over a fence and back into the woods.
I quietly walked towards the other herd hoping they wouldn’t see me as I entered the woods. No such luck. This herd too was off running across the field and into another part of the woods.
I took a different route on the way back to my garden and passed rabbits nibbling away in the grass. For the first time here I also saw a jay who was by the hedgerow near the rabbits.
All the wildlife around me easily camouflaged themselves into their surroundings. You can just see the Jay sitting in a tree branch in the upper right (in the image below) while the rabbit flees to its warren near the hedgerow.
A rabbit stood completely still as I approached my garden – perhaps thinking I wouldn’t notice it if it didn’t flinch.
Wildlife were waiting for me in my garden. There were Great Tits singing in a tree until they caught sight of my neighbour’s cat.
The cat didn’t notice them as she had also been out for a walk seeking wildlife too – and had caught a vole. 
‘Our’ local wild pheasant wisely ran off at the sight of the ginger cat.
But, of course, he was back in our garden when the coast was clear. As indeed he was this morning.
I don’t think I could ever move back to London. When we left the ‘Big Smoke’ – as England’s capital is sometimes called – and moved to the Hamptons in New York State I was mesmerised by the wildlife which came to our garden there. My kids didn’t have to go to a park to feed the ducks, they came to us. As well as chipmunks, rabbits and all sorts of colourful wild birds. Even a pheasant too! Now we’re spoilt again with an abundance of wildlife in our garden and in the neighbouring woods and fields in Sussex. It’s rather magical going for a stroll and seeing animals in their natural habitats rather than as captives in a city zoo. I just wish they’d all stop fleeing when I go for a stroll in the sunshine too.
fabulous photos, love the ones of the deers on the move, what a lovely part of the world you live in x
Beautiful pictures, I love seeing deer and stag. The final picture of the pheasant is lovely, the colours are so vibrant x #animaltales
What wonderful wildlife all around you. a sight to see 🙂 Thank you for sharing #animaltales
You’re lucky to have such a variety of wildlife living nearby. We have to head into the woods to see any here as our cat scares anything that’s daft enough to venture into our garden. Great photos as always x
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Grace says – Such a lovely lot of photos. We’re really lucky with our countryside and all the wildlife that lives there. I love the close up of the Pheasant. #animaltales
That is one pretty pheasant! Your cat is doing an excellent job of keeping the pets under control.
It’s our neighbour’s cat and I’m afraid I chased him away this morning when he started eyeing up the robin!
I have briefly lived in cities but the call of the countryside has always been too great for me. The wildlife round her is fabulous, you should come and visit sometime. We are almost overrun with jays, have roe deer, wild boar (although I have never seen one) and fabulous hares, my equal favourite animal with hippos, which sadly we do not have here!
Thank you so much for joining in with #AnimalTales and your wonderful wildlife photos.
Sounds gorgeous where you are Rosie including lots of wildlife in your garden!
These are great photos – I miss the English countryside so much!
Thank you Molly. The English countryside is rather special