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 20 February 2011

Frosty weather.

We've had a lot of overnight frosts this week and one day when a couple of inches of snow fell.  It's gone now so we are having clear days and frosty nights.  This is Gaucho enjoying his breakfast haylage.  He is one of those alpacas who always seem to have grass or hay sticking from their mouths!  Gaucho can have grass and moss sticking from either side of his mouth, eat his sugar beet or supplement and still have the stuff sticking from the sides of his mouth - how does he do that?  He's a lovely boy, gentle and gets on well with the others.  Gully is in the background here - having a scratch!
More of the boys and their breakfast with Fidget (front, left) wondering where his pile of haylage has gone (he's eaten it!)  Gully is in the middle with Gaucho on the right, Fyta behind and Rufus and Faro in the background.  Fergus and Wee Eck are out of shot, also munching on their haylage.
Frosties for breakfast!  Wee Eck enjoying his breakfast with the overnight frost showing clearly on his back.
This is the imprint left on the ground by an alpaca having slept outside all night in the frost.  Often there are 8 such imprints scattered around, not close together but spread about.
And finally............something to gladden the heart!  The Snowdrops have emerged from frozen ground with Daffodil and Crocus coming through more slowly.  It's a joy to see them again.
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2 comments:

  1. Anonymous20 February 2011 at 13:18

    OOOOOOOOH!!! Snowdrops!! You are one lucky ducky!! How sweet to see them blooming! Our daffodils are about 5-6 inches tall. The last 3 days have been 71,70 and 58 so perhaps they are being fooled that spring is coming...I think they will be in for a surprise!! Wonder why they sleep outside far apart when they could sleep in the shelter and put off heat for each other?? ...debbie

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  2. Zanzibah Alpacas20 February 2011 at 21:32

    Looks like its been frosty with you ! we haven't had a frost all week......the boys are looking well...and the little Snowdrops are lovely......Roll on the Spring !......Jayne

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