He’s trying to figure out the whole nursing thing – really he’s not trying to go back from whence he came. Can’t you just read Deli’s expression?
She’s informing him that she’s cuter. Remember, girls are always right!
Polly and Marietta – 2nd place Juvenile Beige females (behind a Crescent Moon critter). What a thrill!
They made fast friends with Zinnia and Redford. My question – which two are cuter????
Life really is good. (Hey, no complaining, their mother took this shot.)
A newborn El Martillo being checked out by the neighbor-guys. Apparently The Snowman has questions!
Momma Rose and Amber – the first nurse. A beautiful sight.
Nothing more to say. Handsome, isn’t he? (and don’t think he doesn’t know it).
We opened up yet another pasture (will it ever end) for the younger males. Here they are enjoying the fresh grass and lovely shade. Lucky devils.
We upgraded our show/farm display for the ’07 show season. It was great!
First day in a new spring pasture for the big boys! Yum.
Funny looking alpaca grazing with the guys. Too (that’s her name and yes, they’re a story behind that one too!) keeps all the pastures rodent-free and is a great alpaca companion.
Well, hello. El Martillo meets Tripper (the younger one). This was the early summer maternity ward.
Perla and Redford on a beautiful day to be born.
Just a few minutes old and already looking his handsome self.
Lake Effect all grown up (but he’s still my smush!). What a great guy.
Remember – you can’t pose these guys. They just look this fabulous because they are!!!!
I’m ready for my close up Mr. DeMille! (Redford being a cute ham)
Tripper checking out the two-legger with the thing that goes “click”.
Belle Grae is usually camera shy but not here. She’s a beauty isn’t she? (Check out Amber on her left – another cutie!).
A restful moment for most of the ’07 crias – gathering strength to amuse themselves for the rest of the day and night.
The cute one is grandson Connor. The handsome one is Ken. The lovely lady is Gol-la-lee. Connor was given apples to feed to the "pacas" but threw down the apples in favor of rocks. Gol-la-lee, while unamused, humored the little guy with a nose kiss!
Sometimes, you've just got to break the rules. In photography class we were taught not to shoot into the sun but....first it can give you a bit more definition on black animals and then, sometimes, it just looks cool! This is an early morning shot of Sampson.
One of the most frustrating things about being the designated "geek" in the alpaca world (photographer, web master, shot giver) is that you hardly ever get your picture taken with your beloved critters. Ken actually got the camera out one day as I was playing with Indy. I'm the tall goofy one without the sweater!
The things these poor alpacas must put up with...even the babies aren't spared the humiliation of the two-legged things trying to get a "great shot for the holiday cards". Poor Aurora...she felt the indignity and had to share it with mom. Oh, the humiliation of tiny little antlers...okay, so we were amused!
We had the most amazing sunset on Friday, April 11th. It was the first truly beautiful one of the Spring after such a hard Winter in Central New York. I grabbed the camera and snapped this picture of Tamarack.
I also got a great shot of Don Tulio at sunset. The "Man Zone" faces west and it was a breathtaking moment. I was thankful that the men cooperated with me.
This one just amuses me - it's CD and Belle sharing a little secret through the fence. Just a nice moment.
Some of you may remember this picture - I used it on the invitations to the opening of the Cupboard Under the Stairs. Let me remind you...alpacas are a curious bunch but only on their terms. I can't tell you how long I sat in the barn waiting for one of them to check out the store. Worthwhile though.
Boys will be boys no matter what the species. Here Sampson is picking on Rory. Check out the volumes ear position speaks! (Although this was the same day I attempted to put antlers on the crias, obviously they had gotten over that petty little indignation and moved onto other, more worldly, pursuits!)
A slightly different alpaca that caught the attention of his pen neighbors. Not too much crimp or density in the topknot but a lovely specimen all the same! Actually, this is Grandson Connor at MaPaca - there was an empty stall next to us that doubled as a great play area for him. He's actually flirting with passers-by in this shot. Note the neighbors to the rear checking out this strange alpaca.
This is the man zone (stud central). Otisco is front and center, the Dons are lounging on the left and Indy is in the "barn-ette" with Uncle Skipper (our gleding). Betcha can't guess what they're looking at??? Give up - naaa, it's the girls across the driveway.
Shearing this year went well for us although the weather could have been a little bit more cooperative (it rained almost 20 days in May - yuck). The fiber processing end of our business is in Virginia's basement - light, space, a de-humidifier and a custom made skirting table - who could ask for more.
Since the critters had been so damp, we ended up laying out the fleeces to make sure they were dry before storing and processing. We just loved the look of the "sleeping fleeces" covering the entire basement floor. Impressive isn't it? Almost like nap time in kindergarten.
FINGER
LAKES
ALPACAS
