Wednesday 16 March 2011

The mothers are back!

This morning Sue and I have been off to collect all the mothers of the weanlings from their secret winter weaning location. It's not far away and it gives them time to chat amongst themselves without being headbutted in the udder every ten minutes. It is a day I have looked forward to since they left, I don't like them going elsewhere and although I know they were being well looked after, I prefer to have them here.

The reactions amongst the reunited family groups were interesting. Unfortunately I didn't have the camera with me at the time but I have since been out and taken some pictures of the mothers interacting with the remainder of the herd.
Bobby (Chief hair-trigger spit monster) resolutely refused to let poor Ruby-May, her daughter, get any closer than she is in the picture. Check out that body language! Ruby's face has a decidedly green tinge to it now.


The lovely Dee and her cria Reeya, however, were most content to pose together. I could have taken a hundred photographs actually they just stood there obligingly waiting for me to finish. They know about cameras you know. Neither of them has ever failed to pose for a picture when required. They are so elegant, almost slightly aloof and Reeya at ten months of age is already bigger than her mum!


Little Roger's mum, Poppy (on the right and first cria of Bobby the hair-trigger chief etc) didn't much appreciate his company but did have quite a chat with the gorgeous Millie (daughter of my favourite alpaca in the whole wide world). What a couple of beautiful looking brown girls. Millie is pregnant to Jack of Spades (can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to that one!). Poppy is pregnant to our very own Cambridge Columbus (The Clumpmesiter) and if we get a good combination of both their respective fleece types it could be very good for us. We will see.


And lastly, here she is, my favourite alpaca in the whole wide world, Lily. To have her home means a lot to us and she was absolutely mobbed by Runa (last years cria) and Millie (Lily's first cria) on arrival. That speaks volumes. I could only get a head shot of Lily as she wouldn't stop following me around. She loves me you see. I may have mentioned it in the past.


And finally, the arrival of 'the mothers' caused a bit of stir amongst the big boys. Qjori (nearest) was very interested and that really wound The Clumpmeister up. There was much pacing, snorting, posing and general puffing up by the two of them. Please ignore the fencing, it works, ok. That is all.

4 comments:

Unknown said...

Lovely to see them reunited and the dynamics involved...they are looking great Mark (nice and dry!). I am guessing that the extra land will mean you can keep the Mum's next year.

Bev said...

Interesting blog. Our three boys arrive this weekend from Beck Brow and I've been wondering how they'll cope with the separation. I mean from Barbara of course.. She won't read this because she's already commented, but they do love her. They'll have to cope with the loss of their mother, their herd and a very caring owner. I just hope we can compensate

Zanzibah Alpacas said...

Nice to see the ladies...are back in town......especially for the summer-time.....hopefull they might be able to stay over...now you have the extra land !!.......Jayne

Debbie, Barnacre Alpacas said...

I love to see how reunions go, and I know what you mean about not liking anyone to be away, it's nice when everyone is back home isn't it.