I went to the Mills Place yesterday to do a little painting. Our new kitchen cabinets are almost totally installed (!) and since the day was going to be a dreary day of rain/snow mix, it seemed a good time to put some color in the mud room. I loaded up Lucas and Dally and drove out the mile to the highway. Within that mile I pass the yearling steers in the field, the two year old heifers with their first babies, and a bunch of the older cows and calves.
With lowering clouds and damp atmosphere, I was almost shocked as I drove by the cows and calves. I put my Durango in reverse and backed up to take these photos. On a bright spring day, calves will play just like kids. They’ll run and stop in non-sensical circles. They’ll jump and buck. They’ll play “king on the mountain”. They’ll butt heads in mock battles. Tails held high and noses in the air, most spring days are FUN!
Today was like walking into an abandoned kindergarten class and finding them all at their desks.
One or two calves were standing.
The rest were still bedded down.
I might find this scene early in the morning, but this was 9 am!
I had tossed my camera into the back when I loaded Lucas, since occasionally he needs an extra “catch and shove” movement to get him successfully in the back of my car.
Mumbling at myself for being stupid enough to leave my camera in the back, I quietly opened my door and slowly went to the back thinking all the while that the bedded calves would stand and play “stampede” at my movements.
Not to worry.
They didn’t budge a hair.
Mommas did… walking towards their calves and messing up some good shots, but the calves remained at rest.
It’s quiet… too quiet…
A few nervous mothers check out the location of their calves…
Within view of the highway, these calves relax.
Ho hum… “Mo-om! I’m BORED!” Can you hear it???
Unfazed by mommas eating their beds… calves lay among the legs…
Find me here!
