OUR SMALL HERD

Our original four boys came from Ardo Alpacas in Aberdeenshire. We are not alpaca breeders and have our boys purely as pets. Our experience is that you don't need to be a breeder and that a 'batchelor herd' can give much pleasure to the owner. We have 5 acres including our big garden and grazing for the boys, 15 miles north of Inverness, Scotland. I spin, knit, felt and crochet with the fleece from the boys.

Clicking!!

Just a reminder that clicking on (most) of the photos will show them greatly enlarged.

Sunday 5 September 2010

Lovely weather.

We have had a week of gorgeous weather here, plenty of daytime sunshine and lovely sunsets to follow.  This shot was taken mid week, early evening, and shows aircraft vapour trails being blown around by high altitude winds whilst at ground level it was windless!  Flight paths to/from USA are high above us here so dramatic sky views of the planes and their trails are quite common.
You may need to enlarge this photo of the boys at the bottom of their paddock lying in the sun just across the fence from Freda, Lola and wee Hamish.  The alpacas and cattle seem to enjoy each other's company and often when the cattle move the boys will follow them along their side of the fence.
The sunshine also brings out the butterflies onto the various Buddleias we have around the garden. We have blue, purple, dark purple, pink, white, a trailing variety and an orange 'globe' Buddleia all of which attract lots of bees and flying insects to the garden.
Same Buddleia, but with more butterflies.  Unfortunately we are not up on butterflies and moths so don't have a name for this type of butterfly, but I guess the big circles on the wings should give us a clue!  Answers on a post card please........or maybe we need to look up the internet.

More haltering and leading yesterday with Rufus (R) still very wary.  Eventually by tying two leads together to make them longer he got the idea and walked (hesitatingly!)  Also shown are Fyta (dark trousers), Faro (brown), Fidget (white) and Gully near the gate.  Fidget had his front nails clipped and he was very good - 3 years ago he used to rear up and kick for these sessions.  The photo was taken first thing in the morning and the early mist can still be seen in the background.

And finally...........at the end of a lovely day, Gully comes out of his field shelter where he has been hiding from Midges, and enjoys grazing with his chums at sunset.  Again, a vapour trail can be seen in the sky.

4 comments:

  1. Fantastic photos Shirley...I will leave it for Jayne to name the butterfly I am sure she will know the answer!

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  2. I think the butterflies are Peacocks - lovely to see them. Dave

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  3. this has cheered up my lunch!
    Lorna

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  4. The sunsets...are beautiful...and the photos..are splendid...a wintry feeling here...I fear that some of the swallows have left...for warmer climates..although..still a few with second clutches...Im sad to see them go...as..autumn is creeping in....along with the dark nights......Jayne

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