Lambs Out

The seemingly endless rain that dogged us throughout January and February wasn't so endless after all - we were forecast one and a half days precipitation-free, so the lambs, two weeks old by now, were chucked out into the field.

Irving, Astrid's tip lamb.

Ivy, one of Primrose's girls. Even with her slightly deformed lower jaw, she's a cutie.

Astrid.

 

Ivy is very photogenic. 

Lambs are always fascinated by this metal cover.

Iris and Ivy, the twins.

While I was concentrating on the wee lambs, I couldn't resist taking this photo when I looked behind me. Yes, Billy is getting big, but he's still pretty tiny next to Titch and even Rosie!

Ivy again - she's just so pretty.

That's not mummy.

Fern.

Irving.

Two black lambs - they're not the easiest to tell apart. The one looking at me, I'm pretty sure, is Iris.

Great to see them out. It's a big achievement.

Ida and Ivan in Snoods

I wound up with two pet lambs from my six pet ewes. I called them Ida and Ivan. One Sunday afternoon in February, between showers that plagued us all month, I dusted off the lamb-sized snoods and took some photos of the lambs in the yard. Ida was wearing a green snood because it was my late granny's favourite colour, and Ida is named after her.

Ivan was very hard to photograph - he wouldn't stay still and kept making funny faces!

Ida had stuck her nose in something green to match her snood.

It was the first time outside for both of them.

Ida suits the colour green, I think.

It's always great to reach #lambsinsnoods season!

First Sunset

The first day of February was mild and dry compared to the cold, wet slog that was January. I finally had some spare time to take Billy and Wee Matt for a short walk around sunset. It was the first walk we had of the year. After a tough winter, it was just wonderful to sit in the field with my sweet boys.

It's hard to believe, but despite being the furthest travelled sheep on the farm, Billy had never been in these fields before. He's been in his own field and the yard and that's it. Otherwise, he's been out with me, gallivanting.

To get just a glimpse of the sunset was a real treat. It made me excited for the spring to come.

I sat down to relax and enjoy the view. Wee Matt busied himself with trying to get at the treats in my pocket, while Billy gave me a kiss.

It was Wee Matt's first time in these fields too. I think he enjoyed himself. I can't wait for the days to get longer and the weather to improve so we can go out again.

Starting the walk home.

That was just what I needed.

One of the Flock

There's a small field where Blue Belle spends her winters, at the bottom of the Dump Field. By January this year she had it all eaten and she looked so sad (a tiny horse with a long face, I know), I took pity on her and let her join the ewe hoggets. She was so much happier to have some sheep to boss around. Her high spirits were lovely to see. One Sunday I took the camera out to get some photos of Blue Belle and her friends.

The dogs all came along too.  

At this time, in January, these ewe hoggets had the run of the Hatchet Field and the Big Hill. Breakfast would be served in the Hatchet Field, but everyone was to be found in the Big Hill. 

There's a great view from this field.

The sheep know that my arrival means food.

It took me a moment to spot Blue Belle at the far fence. Usually she was already in the middle of the sheep.

She perked up when she realised I was here with food.

She made her way up the hill.

I drove on ahead and parked just on the other side of the gate to wait. Koala was one of the first through.

There she is!

She's one of the flock.

Poppy checking that everyone's in.

I filled the two mushroom feeders.

Blue Belle can't reach in, but she can closely supervise.