A Frosty Morn......

It was snowing last night when I went to bed but when I woke the snow had melted. As I headed down the hill to feed, I was greeted by a frosty morning....





The Japanese Maples by the house were adorned with a glittering edge....





Even the sheep had a rime to their fleeces.....



After I fed I hurried back up to the house, promising myself I would return to take more pics once the day had warmed up a bit....

I can't sneak up on anyone to get pics...."someone" usually gives it away that I'm on my way down to the barn.....and it's usually these two.....


Around 2pm I headed back down, the sun had cleared the frost and I was able to take pics of some of my recent family additions.....

This ewe I named Aunt Bea...she is the matriarch of the small flock, and the only one that is unsure of humans. She will carefully take some grain from your hand but is ready to flee at any second. She is the one responsible for the plethora of bruises that cover me from head to toe when I do feet trimming.....

This is Maisie, she is the youngest....not sure where I came up with her name, but one day it was there and it stuck. :)

Here is Poppy, followed by her "sister" Baby. I got these two girls from the same person and they sure did a nice job of raising these girls.....

I love the blaze on Baby's face.....

The ram I got from KRK (Karen Kenagy) in OR. For some reason Opie has stuck for a name for him...he's kind of a doofus...the only unsettling thing about naming him that is him breeding Aunt Bea :O!I decided to try llamas again...I DO like them, I just really wanted ones that tolerated if not like being handled. Noel is a retiree (like what I hope to be someday soon....) she was a showgirl and raised some nice babies, now she gets to just be spoiled and watch for varmints. She loves butt skritches! :)

For a companion she has a youngster, Stella. Stella is not too sure about humans, but she is getting more comfortable every day (especially with Noels guidance)....The latest additions are two doe Nigerians from Anna at Camanna in OR. Fancy has one leg of her championship and has produced some nice babies. She is bred to Proctor Hill TO GoDaddy, who has some great Sugar Creek bloodlines (Showtunes!). I am crossing my fingers for two doelings as Anna gets a doeling back. The doeling is a well bred beauty in her own right, she is out of Camanna CS Sweet Harmony, who has only been shown twice and took Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion. Daddy is Dill's D Lucky Image , who also has some wonderful bloodlines.....


Fancy is a REALLY sweet girl, and she has been a milker, I'm hoping she can teach me to be comfortable milking my girls....


I have been trying to come up with a name for this little doeling....I'd like to incorporate either the sires or dams name. She is such a little charmer I'm thinking Lucky Charm, call name Charm...what do you think?Gypsy (Honey Goat Gypsy) was busy eating maple leaves so I thought I should take her pic.....
Finally done feeding and putting everyone away for the evening....I headed back up the hill to the house. I glanced up on the hill to see some "wolves" showing me how they kill their prey.....:)
Be VERY AFRAID!!!!

como se llama? and two little surprises!

Saturday Gallo and I attended a Free Camelid Information Day put on by Niki and Jeff Kuklenski of JNK Llamas and supported by a myriad of other llama and alpaca folks. They had decided to have this information day to work rescue from the other end....educating the public.

There was lots of great information, beginning with a Veterinarian talk by Dr. Michael Anderson DVM. He gave a brief synopsis (to accompany the handout) on nutrition and care of camelids as well as took questions. He also did discounted geldings and teeth floating.

His talk was followed by 45 minute clinics in various subjects, toenail trimming, shearing, fiber prep and grooming, packing info: evaluating and fitting a llama pack, llama suitability for packing, fiber demos and info, grange/livestock insurance info, trailer care/maintenance, fencing info by Gallagher fence, obstacles and training for them, a round pen Get Connected exhibition (an all day clinic was on Sunday), therapy work with llamas and farm layout for ease....AND a FREE lunch!

Gallo was the "demo llama" for the feet trimming by Pete Brands and Jeff Kuklenski. He did beautifully. (not that I'm partial) :)




He was also sheared which he did very well, I need to thank Shannon, from Kenleigh Acres once again for placing Gallo with me.


Here is a couple of pics of some teeth floating. The only time Dr. Anderson will do that to llamas is if they are having trouble eating and are losing too much weight.



Here's a few pics of the packing clinic, showing how to fit the pack properly and good equiptment:




The obstacles and training for them course was popular with young and not as young....:) It was taught by Jim Krowka who also did the round pen training.




Here are a couple of pics I swear you can hear the conversation going on in the heads of these girls....!!


"NO WAY! That can't be happening!"

"Hey! Did you see that?!"


"Come over here! Look at that!!"


"I wouldn't have believed it if I didn't see it with my own eyes!"


Now just some random shots......









Before I left I had fitted and ordered a handsome red halter for Gallo. I'll take a pic once I get it.

Here's a pic of Gallo sporting his new "do"


Now, as to the little surprises.....Stonehaven Ilse had a little katmoget ram lamb and so did Boulderneigh Bella! I'll try and post some more pics in a couple of days.


Ilse


Bella