Drift rail_0613

[maystone]

Drift rail_0613, originally uploaded by maystone1.

A big drift cuts across both paddocks behind the girls' barn. You can see the sediment layers from the different storms. That's the railing that separates the two paddocks.

Just to put that snow drift in perspective. That's Lyndon really, really wishing he could get through the drift and out into the field.


Little Haley. Isn't she sweet?


Latisse is showing dominance over the cria (Lyndon) by pretty much standing on him. It was a nice morning, and all the alpacas were feeling their oats. So to speak. That's Denise telling Latisse to just cool her jets.

Comments

[clarionj.livejournal.com]

I just decided to click on here quickly and there was that crazy, interesting image with the bars and shadow and drift. The first thing I saw was an abstract piece of artwork, without thinking what it was, just the lines, texture, colors. You really do know how to capture moods and curiosities.

Aw, I always love to see those furry faces. Yes so sweet! And Lyndon doesn't seem to mind the dominance. How do you tell when they're annoyed?

[maystone.livejournal.com]

Thank you :) I love the patterns in nature, especially when caused by shadows.

It's pretty common for alpacas to stand on each other like that; crias do it all the time with each other. It's kind of unusual for an adult female to show that behavior with a youngster. I think Lyndon must have ticked her off. And yeah, Lyndon wasn't particularly bothered by it.

Oh, alpacas screech their heads off when they're annoyed. They're very vocal critters; I was most surprised by that part of their nature. They can be incredibly loud when they get their dander up. That's the sort of thing they don't tell you when you're first getting into the business. The first time Satine and Conchita (who are sisters) got into it with each other, we went flying out of the house to the barn thinking they were going to kill each other :) I think Shakespeare got his "sound and fury" thing from being around alpacas at some point.

[liquidize.livejournal.com]

that picture is just gorgeous! otherworldly, even. *hugs*

[maystone.livejournal.com]

Thank you, sweetie :) And I'm very proud of you for being all posty and adventure-girl. I'm sorry that I didn't reply to your post directly; I was having "a day."

[clarionj.livejournal.com]

Hahaha, a new critical perspective of Shakespeare. :)

I'd never heard them really make noises at all. They look like quiet animals. It would be startling to hear sounds like you describe. So, they don't really hurt each other? They just assert themselves?

[maystone.livejournal.com]

The girls and babies don't intentionally hurt each other, but we separate the newborns from the older crias, because the older kids don't get that they can seriously hurt the babies by playing around. The adult females stick to screeching, snarfling (loud grumbling), and spitting.

The boys are a different story. They play-wrestle and bite in preparation for adulthood, and that rarely gets worrisome. But when they do reach maturity, they grow fighting teeth on top, and that can lead to serious damage. They'll literally try to castrate their rivals. Even with the fighting teeth removed, a couple of ticked-off males can draw blood by pulling out fleece or biting hard. The biggest fear is always that someone will break a leg or a neck. When the testosterone gets to raging, it can get loud and vicious. You don't really run into trouble unless there are open females nearby, but most farms aren't large enough to keep a big enough distance between the females and the males.

[clarionj.livejournal.com]

Phew, I don't think I'd want to see that side. That testosterone thing ... it's not pretty. Castration, yikes. I hope your guys stay fairly calm overall.

[maystone.livejournal.com]

And also - I hope things are well with you and your family today :)

[clarionj.livejournal.com]

He says he's feeling more and more normal. Not as wiped out. Maybe will get back to work next week. We'll see how it all goes. I know I need a break. God, I'm horrible at being around people full-time! I love my solitude :)

[liquidize.livejournal.com]

(replying to you instead of to your other poster - my bad, I totally hit the wrong button, sorry!)

Thanks mamakins - means an awful lot. it's... nice, you know? *hugs* And yes, *days* - I am sorry you were having one and for always I understand completely. Much love.