Silent Sunday.....Spring storms and sweet faces

Egyptian beauty that no home pond should be without.....

Meet the latest pond additions, a pair of Egyptian geese. A wonderful lady was looking for a good home for them as she was having raccoon predation problems and I was the lucky recipient! :)

They are pretty shy, and don't allow me to get very close. I'm hoping that changes as they get used to me, either that or I'm going to have to get a better zoom lens.




A little bit about Egyptian geese, 'Alopochen aegytiacus', it is the only existing member of the genus Alopochen. They are not endangered, however. It breeds in most countries of Africa, except where there are deserts and dense forests. The areas you are most likely to see the geese in the wild are the Nile Valley and the area south of the Sahara.

The Egyptian goose is actually a member of the shelduck subfamily called Tadorninae, and was considered sacred by ancient Egyptians and appeared in much of their artwork.

It's not a vocal bird, though males do emit a raspy hiss and females produce a cackling honk when stressed or demonstrating aggressive behavior. They are monogamous and mate for life.



They nest in a number of places but especially like holes in mature trees.

Egyptian geese have been known to live as long as 14 years.

Suggestions for names? :)

#1 Tip to avoid swine flu......

OK a bit tacky but the pic made me smile......:P

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