After returning from a trip with a new video camera the immediate requirement was to start documenting our growing collection of animals. Here's a start.
The Cattle Baron (aka Sandy) is slowly accumlating a herd of cattle. However, the ravages of pestilence, fire, snakes and great escapes have played their part in reducing the herd's size. The following is a collection of photos intended to record the herd's progress towards their future as steak and hamburger meat.
The three stooges (Ferdninand, Groaner and Bambi) were amongst the first of the beef cattle to be chosen.
- a back view of Ferdninand and Groaner
- a side view of Ferdninand
- Groaner front (with an interloper) and side
- Bambi, from the front
- feeding time is always interesting.
To say that Sandy is close to the cows is an understatement given her role as chief scratcher (and again and again and again).
Of course any walk around the place would not be complete without a collection of animals following along. For example some free range chooks apparently generating a great deal of interest from the cows.
Needless to say the well trained dog knows his place.
Due to all sorts of reasons early September 2001 saw a quick spurt in the growth of the herd. The additions included
- Maria - a large dairy cow purchased to provide
milk while Daisy was in her final days of pregnancy.
Maria is a friendly cow, not adverse to coming near the house as this video or these images (1, 2) demonstrate. Other images: Maria not getting along with the dog, Maria enjoying the BBQ area, Maria following the camera ( 1 and 2). - Hyacinth is a beef/dairy cross Sandy purchased at
the pig and calf sale when she was supposed to be
getting a dairy cow (Maria was purchased from
Mt Larcom a few days later). She couldn't resist
Hyacinth
Hyacinth by herself and with a group. - Doe is a young dairy cow that fitted into Sandy's
grand scheme somehow.
Doe just after she arrived, still in the pen with Daisy. Doe getting to know the dog. Sandy trying to show Doe where to get food from. Daisy expressing her disquiet at having Sandy and/or Doe hanging around her teats: 1 2 and 3. Doe following Daisy. - Rosie is a beef calf we obtained ownership of
in unusual circumstances. She is also the first
cow that Sandy branded (well she got two-thirds
of the brand onto Rosie's hind quarters).
Rosie chewing the cud.
- the chook pen: 1
- in the shed: 1 and 2
- but the garden is by far the favourite: Bambi, 1, 2, sharing it with the chooks, scratching post, getting close, closer .
