Miniature horse critters

Last week John, Debbie and the children arrived home. On the back of John's Landcruiser pick-up, were the latest addition to the children's farm animals: two miniature horses. 

Skabenga and Eddie initially barked at the horses but gradually have accepted them as another two rather large dogs. 

 Here Skabenga shows off his toy monkey to Romeo,  one of the little horses

 A face off? 

 Eddie has decided to ignore the little critters for now...

 A close-up of the other little horse, Angus

These horses are very much like dogs. They are inquisitive: here Romeo comes to see what I was doing (taking photos!) 

Thunder and Missy are not at all tolerant of the newcomers. Every morning when the big horses are let out of the stables and into the large paddock outside the property, the children bring the miniature horses, who sleep in the middle paddock at night,  into the garden. 

 Missy out in the field - she's very dirty having rolled in some inviting mud left by the pivot spray 

 Skabenga goes to greet dear old gentleman, Thunder

In the middle paddock the winter Red-hot pokers (Kniphofia uvaria) are in full bloom. I cannot get enough of photographing this vibrantly colored display.   Of course, the sunbirds abound here and I managed to capture several bees feeding on this delicious nectar.

The most glorious sight in Debbie's middle garden

When I downloaded the photos, I was thrilled to see busy bees on the blooms 

I'm linking to Saturday Critters with Eileen, here