Yesterday, coming home from the mundane task of shopping, I turned into our lane and encountered two leverets, playing together on what was a rare sunny afternoon in Donegal.

I always take care driving down my lane, out of respect for all living things that share the space with us. At that moment I was so grateful that I did.

I drove slowly, as one leveret ran into a garden, and the other, flustered, proceeded to run along the road in front of me, until it found an opening to one of the fields and scooted off. I love hares, to see baby hares is rare, and I saw it as a blessing from the little folk, and found myself smiling.

Thinking my treat from nature was passed, I drove slowly round the next bend, only to find Mr Pheasant, wooing his lady love in the middle of the road. Ever gallant, Mr Pheasant proceeded to protect his girlfriend from the car, standing between it and her. Thank God I found them, and not some idiot who would not have waited. But blesshim he thought in a stand off he would win.

For five minutes they waddled and widdled down the road, speeding up, slowing down. Suddenly the girlfriend made a dash for it, as is the pheasants want, sadly. But I was waiting for it, and she made it safely to a field on the other side of the road.

Mr Pheasanr was both befuddled and perturbed, he thought he was onto a winner. I waited, and just as I was about to move forward he made his move……safely to be with his lady love in the muddy field. I hope they name one of the chicks Moisy!

Moisy