Did I ever tell you about the time I took the position of pulling up the rear in a cattle drive? The WORST position you can take. It was for the Pillsbury (of dough fame) herd outside Bishop near Benton. Those huge black Angus are the slowest things on four hoves. Kept on insisting on laying down every ten minutes.
You should be flattered DB, cuz you're one in a million!!!
Aren't they though, Lady Fi??? They moved away when I first got to the fence, then, when I didn't pay any attention to them and focused on the gate, they gathered 'round to see what the heck I was doing!
Sounds like quite an experience PA!! Although, I must admit, I thought the rear position in the drive was the worst position for a very different reason...I'm just sayin'!!!
The horseshoe "fasteners" are quite creative. I love that second photo of your audience waiting to see your next move! I have a large watercolor of cows that I adore... great photos!
Yes Genie...I was quite taken with that particular calf...is that you call an adolescent cow or is calf purely pre-teen??? thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend yourself!!!
Smell is a non issue since your forced to wear a bandana over your mouth and nose to protect from dust. Interesting addition to the story: one of the babies quit following early in the drive (a beautiful Charolais calf). The mother hovered around for awhile then left her calf behind to join us. Once we hit high pasture ground (20 or more miles later) a cattle truck was there to take us and our horses back to the ranch. The next day we went back to find that calf. The calf was dead and the mother had turned around and walked all the way back, standing guard over the babies corpse. So what is stronger...the herd instinct or the maternal instinct? sad isn't it?
Interesting PA...I have a similar story about a dead steer....I used to water ski at Lake San Antonio outside of Paso Robles...there were cattle ranches around the lake...one day there was a steer, dead in the water off to the side of us...the herd was standing around under a tree on the hill up behind us. One by one, each of the steer came down and stood for a minute or two by the dead one and then went back up to the herd. After awhile, we heard a tractor coming over the hill...he got up to the lake, scooped up the dead steer, and took off. The herd dispersed and moseyed on up the hill...
I've always had that memory tucked away in the category of interesting funeral stories!
Hmmm, I have to think about that last comment.
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous audience!
ReplyDeleteGod is in the details
ReplyDeleteDid I ever tell you about the time I took the position of pulling up the rear in a cattle drive? The WORST position you can take. It was for the Pillsbury (of dough fame) herd outside Bishop near Benton. Those huge black Angus are the slowest things on four hoves. Kept on insisting on laying down every ten minutes.
You should be flattered DB, cuz you're one in a million!!!
ReplyDeleteAren't they though, Lady Fi??? They moved away when I first got to the fence, then, when I didn't pay any attention to them and focused on the gate, they gathered 'round to see what the heck I was doing!
Sounds like quite an experience PA!! Although, I must admit, I thought the rear position in the drive was the worst position for a very different reason...I'm just sayin'!!!
The horseshoe "fasteners" are quite creative. I love that second photo of your audience waiting to see your next move! I have a large watercolor of cows that I adore... great photos!
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful weekend,
Genie
'Cause you're no dummy, that's what.
ReplyDeleteLook at that face.
Yes Genie...I was quite taken with that particular calf...is that you call an adolescent cow or is calf purely pre-teen??? thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend yourself!!!
ReplyDeleteOhhh Petrea...you made my day!!!
Great pictures. What a face! He looks just like "Norman" from City Slickers :-)
ReplyDeleteSmell is a non issue since your forced to wear a bandana over your mouth and nose to protect from dust.
ReplyDeleteInteresting addition to the story: one of the babies quit following early in the drive (a beautiful Charolais calf). The mother hovered around for awhile then left her calf behind to join us. Once we hit high pasture ground (20 or more miles later) a cattle truck was there to take us and our horses back to the ranch. The next day we went back to find that calf. The calf was dead and the mother had turned around and walked all the way back, standing guard over the babies corpse. So what is stronger...the herd instinct or the maternal instinct? sad isn't it?
have a nice day
Interesting PA...I have a similar story about a dead steer....I used to water ski at Lake San Antonio outside of Paso Robles...there were cattle ranches around the lake...one day there was a steer, dead in the water off to the side of us...the herd was standing around under a tree on the hill up behind us. One by one, each of the steer came down and stood for a minute or two by the dead one and then went back up to the herd. After awhile, we heard a tractor coming over the hill...he got up to the lake, scooped up the dead steer, and took off. The herd dispersed and moseyed on up the hill...
ReplyDeleteI've always had that memory tucked away in the category of interesting funeral stories!
Thanks Diane!!! Guess I'm going to have to watch City Slickers again to see Norman!!!
ReplyDeleteVery pretty calf, really stands out from the rest. Most animals are pretty curious in my experience except perhaps sheep.
ReplyDelete