Flies and things

After last weekend's shearing the boys have been taking it easy this week, getting used to having lost their heavy fleece and keeping the flies at a distance.  Here they are having their daily supplement feed with added Verm-X granules each day for this week.

It's been another very warm week but with more rain and moisture around which has been attracting the flies.  The boys all having 'coping mechanisms' for flies, this is Fergus lying down so that the flies can't get underneath him, and they make great use of their shelter.

Long-time readers of this blog will know that after shearing we always keep a close eye on the boys to make sure that they don't have any cuts or grazes which might attract flies. We noticed flies congregating on a spot on Fidget's right shoulder earlier in the week so sprayed the area with anti fly-strike spray.  The boys don't like being sprayed so we use them sparingly.  Yesterday afternoon we discovered flies gathering around a black spot on Fidget's neck so we put him (right) and Fergus in the pen to deal with it.

This is the back of Fidget's neck and with magnification you will be able to see at least three flies boring into a hole in the fleece.  We have seen the effects of fly-strike on sheep and we try to be vigilant about the possibility of fly-strike on the alpacas - although many people do not believe they are susceptible to this type of attack.  We are not so sure, so we were able to direct the spray directly into the hole and the flies then avoid this area completely.  We've been checking him regularly and 24 hours later there are still no flies going to this area.

A long distance shot from today showing the boys in their shelter, keeping the flies at bay and trying to keep cool.

A picture of the veg garden for a change.  From right to left there are raspberries, black-currants and blueberries before the veg plots - runner beans, peas and broad beans in the first section, then potatoes in the second section, onions, leeks and swedes in the third section and behind the Keder greenhouse are kale, cabbage and cauliflowers.

And finally.............as promised last week, the Cardiocrinum Giganteum (Giant Himalayan lily)has broken into flower!  Standing at 8 feet tall this plant has huge annual growth with each of these trumpet shaped flowers bigger than your hand.   Spectacular.

Hay and shearing.

Another week of sweltering temperatures and the hay was ready for collection.   We got 42 'square' bales from Dave and Karen's hay field at the Beauly Farm Shop.  We almost ran out of hay over the long winter but were saved by Alison and Brendan at Seafield Alpacas, Portmahomack, Ross-shire who still had some bales from their own hay field. Who is that peeking out from behind the trailer by the way?

It took two runs to the hay field to collect the bales and the boys showed an immediate interest in the cargo!

Here they are sampling the goodies!  The fresh hay smelt lovely and was clearly irresistible to the boys.

The Grumpy Gardener only just managed to get the trailer unloaded whilst the boys crowded around. The hay was safely stored in the store which is part of their field shelter and another job we are always pleased to see completed before the winter.

Today has been shearing day and the recent temperatures have made it a long wait for the boys.  This is Fidget (left) and Fergus waiting (anxiously) for their turn to be sheared.

Once again it was a pleasure to see James Dixon assisted by Ginny getting rid of the fleecy coats.  This is is Fyta being sheared.

And soon it was all over, the boys were happy and obviously cooler as they started grazing - but they still used their water trays and troughs.

Faro looking sleek, with Fergus behind him and Fyta chewing hay further back. Shearing day is always an anxious time for humans hoping that the weather is going to behave - and it did!

And finally...........the Cardiocrinum Giganteum (Giant Himalayan Lily) is now nearly eight feet tall and the 'trumpet' flowers have started to develop.  Another photo next week when all the flowers should be on display.

Whew!

I don't think the boys can remember such an extended period of hot weather during their 11 years here.  Trying to stay cool means that Fergus got a bit of shade by standing in the shadow of the photographer! Shearing is scheduled for next weekend so that can't come quickly enough for the fleecy boys.

The boys have been getting their under-parts hosed every day, sometimes twice a day, there are three water trays and three water troughs being frequently replenished and they make use of them all.  The field shelter is used frequently too, to shade the sun and keep the flying 'beasties' away!  From the left, Fidget, Fergus and Fyta.

Friends Claire and Mike brought their friend Nicki to see the boys on Wednesday.   Nicki is on holidays from the US so the weather has been perfect for visitors.  Claire takes the 'happy-snap' and Nicki introduces herself to Faro.

Despite the boys being wet from their morning hosing session they were quite happy to hang around for photos.  Fergus can stand all of this fussing!

Fergus (front) and Fyta are keen to get to know Nicki whilst Faro in the backgroud carried on grazing!  Hope you'll come back and see us all next time you are in the Highlands, Nicki - enjoy the rest of your trip.

Fidget can only take so much attention and adulation during visits, preferring to lie down in a fairly shaded area and chew his hay!  Interestingly, Nicki wasn't the only visitor we had this week when on Friday three Argentinian tourists came to see the boys. Friday morning was very misty initially, the boys were soaking and had been rolling in field shelter dust so we're not sure exactly what the tourists thought of the very dirty looking boys - but they took plenty of photos!

And finally - the Grumpy Gardener has a smile on his face (at last) as all the 'Red Hot Pokers' (Kniphofia) have burst into flower and are attracting plenty of bees and birds.

A change of shelter

Every couple of months we move the boys to a different overnight field shelter and this was the week that the latest change took place.  Here they are, waiting outside the shelter waiting for the human to get the inside organised.

As soon as the gates are removed, the boys go in and explore, usually rolling about for a while before settling down.

The moving-in routine is interrupted by the arrival of our neighbour's cat, 'Pike' on the hunt as always for rabbits! Faro is in front looking macho with Fyta and Fergus still in the shelter.  The hay buckets weren't in the shelter at this stage but the boys had managed to tip them up and spill the hay. 

Here they are, looking as if butter wouldn't melt..........!  Fidget is lying down at the back with Fyta in front of him, Fergus is in the doorway and Faro is at the front.

Some days were hot this week and the boys like to go in the sandpit then.  This is a long range shot of them all in the sandpit at once!

On Friday we had a visit from three lady tourists who had been staying locally and who had seen the boys from the nearby road.  This photo is for you ladies - hope you enjoyed your holiday in the Highlands.

And finally.................. the Cardiocrinum Giganteum (Giant Himalayan Lily) is growing strongly again this season.  It is now nearly seven feet tall, it can grow to nine feet,  and we've had to secure it to the fence during recent high winds.  The growth of this plant is quite amazing considering that during the winter none of the plant shows above ground level.  We are keeping our fingers crossed that once again we'll have the 'trumpet' flowers on top later.

Another day, another route march!

We've often mentioned that the boys take their time in getting organised for a new day.  Fidget more than the others likes to wait until the last minute before he gets going.

The morning procedure remains the same, the gate is opened between the overnight paddocks and the other paddocks and the boys line up waiting for the order from Faro in the front, to advance! Fidget is 'at ease' in the background!

Fyta (left) and Fergus look a bit fed up waiting around for Faro to get going at the front of the file - but they do eventually move.

'The leader of the pack' - Faro gets himself organised to give the order to move.  If you magnify the picture you will see that he has a clover leaf sticking out of his mouth - funny!

Fyta sees some fresh grass over the fence in a part of the paddocks they are not allowed to enter.  Whilst having a chat with Fyta, his pal Faro gets jealous and decides to come and find out what is happening.

The Grumpy Gardener had the Grillo mower out this week.  He says that it's a beast of a machine but does the job on the sloping paddocks, with forward and reverse gears to drive it.  We try and keep some of the paddock uncut as the boys like a bit of long grass.  Fyta and Fergus are in the distance.

Here's what the uncut strips look like in the near paddock and the further away one.  On the next cut, this strip will be cut and a new strip left uncut.

And finally................adding a lovely splash of colour are these Irises with the Gunnera now beginning to spread it's leaves in the background.

Still sweating!

Fergus amongst the buttercups!  It's been another very hot week with a heavy shower of rain yesterday afternoon - the first rain for weeks.

It's been some years since we've experienced prolonged periods of sunshine in this part of the world, so we're appreciating it.  Fergus (left), Faro and Fyta are pictured here.

 

In the next paddock is Fidget, enjoying the sand pit as always. All the boys enjoy lying in the sand during very hot weather.

Find one - and you'll find the other!  Faro (right) and his pal Fyta.  We're pleased that Faro is eating much better these days and he is looking much better for it.  They have had their Verm-X granules in their food this week.

Fyta (left), Faro and Fergus posing in front of the 'homestead' which is looking trim as all the grass was cut this week.

And finally............ this 'Rodgersia' plant is growing  very well in the garden and since this photo was taken, the leaes have changed colour to a deep bronze.

Wow - it's been hot!

This has been a week of lying about for the boys, preferably near the water trays.   We've had excellent weather and experienced none of the thunderstorms or downpours that have been so common elsewhere.  But it's been hot!!

The heat does take its toll on the boys and it is still several weeks before shearing.  So frequent use of the hose is called for.  Fidget (front) spends long periods lying in the water trays as can be seen by his wet chin and undercarriage.  Faro (left) prefers to be close to the water trough into which he dunks his head from time to time!

This week has also been a time of mega-grass cutting across all the paddocks and garden.  The boys are totally unconcerned by the noise of the tractor mower, strimmers or hand mowers around them.

Fidget (right) has his feet in the tray and all the boys hang around the humans hoping that the hose will be brought out once again - it was!

And here are a couple of happy bunnies in the sand pit, Fyta (left) and Fergus trying to stay cool.  It's quite common for three of the boys to be in the pit at the same time and very occasionally, all four.

And finally......................all the young apple trees are covered in blossom this year, no late frosts for a change so we are hoping for a good harvest later.