At last....

Finally, at day 365, Myriah gave birth yesterday afternoon (!!) to a lovely big black male cria.  Mated to white last time, Myriah produced a white (female) cria, to black this time, a black (male) cria - that level of colour predictability is only to be applauded!!  She was not very impressed with her first cria and even today has no time for her, but she seems to be besotted with this little guy, don't know if the difference is the colour, or the sex, or just time!!  Either way he's doing very well thus far :) We've named him Monty.

Only Phoebe left to go, she's been walking around with her tail held out from her body - a sure sign, they say, that she'll 'go' tomorrow - for about a fortnight now!!

Pete comes running in the evening when I call him for his bottle, he is due to be weaned at the weekend... don't think he'll be pleased about that, but at 4 months of age, its time.  He and Lambchop can commiserate together while Sherrie has some alone time... must get a couple more ewes!!

New Bugs, Sun Bathing and Fat Ladies

Aymara is settling in well, sensible enough to be in the shade today.  She's not certain she wants to be part of the main group and spends a lot of time with 2 old biddies up in the back corner... politically probably not the best advised move she could make.

Tikal is settling in well too, and seems to be making some much more politically astute decisions than his cousin Aymara.  He's learnt that staying about 1m from Azzura affords him the protection of her high rank, so nobody will approach him, without being close enough to incur her displeasure.  He is starting to fill out nicely and look a little less like a gangly teenager.

Morse thinks the weather is perfect for sun bathing.

And is not inclined to stir even if I am prowling about with a camera.... serious sleeping to be done!

Myriah, always hopeful that I have treats about my person.  She has one of the most over developed kick reflexes of all time and I need to be careful where I put myself in relation to her!!

Orchid is another girl who is constantly on the lookout for more treats, she's earned the nick name Orky Porky!  She wastes no opportunity to at least ask if I've got some!

Except when she and her enormous baby belly are doing beached whale impersonations in the dust bath.  She's due 20 Feb :)

Pearl is looking good, and we're very much looking forward to her cria in March.

 Her daughter Phoebe, recently mated to our black boy Alba, have to wait till next year for that cria :(

 This morning Yolanda tucked in heartily to her brekky, so I thought, must be tomorrow, better weather for it then anyway.... and went off to finish feeding the ducks and chickens.  While my back was turned she got on with the job and presented us with a white male cria we've named Yves.

Yves and Yolanda:

Legs are not just painted on, work fine :)

All a bit grubby, but things are looking good

At first I was just hopeful that Michelle would produce a cria this year, but her blossoming shape (and size!!) mean that I am now more confident that there really IS a baby coming :)

Orchid, still as inquisitive as ever.

Myriah has settled in very well and is now confident enough to take treats from my hand.  Here she asks if I've got any with me?  Still sporting suri-like top knot and neck fleece.

Fresian looking very grubby after yesterday's rain, and in need of a manicure... tomorrow!!  Some mental prep time for the antics this will cause is necessary.

Dear  little Cushla, needs to get in touch with her inner bastard and push to the front of feed queue from time to time!!

Without doubt the cutest little button out there is Casper, he is a real sweetie and very like his mum Cushla.

After the fog, out came the sun

This morning began with a thick fog, which cleared to beautiful clear sunshine.

Lead and halter class this morning went well :)  The Jester is still the star pupil, once his circuit is complete he likes to rest his chin on the rail while I remove the halter - very cute!

Yuri probably has the furthest to go to be fully trained.  The rain last week has given him a distinctly grubby appearance!

Misty only likes to participate under her own rules, but this morning, after an email from the hugely talented Marj, I went back to the beginning with Misty and got good results :)

Noisette looks quite fetching her in halter, and she getting much better about having it put on, but she doesnt like you to use it to lead her around... not part of her plan, improving slowly, but still a way to go!

Up at yards Azzura is looking well and happy.

There's a bit of dithering going on, Trinket and co have headed off, but there is a big gang of stragglers!!

Jemma, doing well in the road paddock even though there arent treats for breakfast, lunch and tea!!

Michelle is doing well too, she doesnt look very round or fat, so while I'm hoping she's pregnant, I'm not expecting it!!

Midsummer - in mid winter!!

The fawn girls, Midsummer, Yolanda (at the back), Nellie Melba (middle front) and Medallion (Midsummer's look-a-like!), I've been doing a little research and I think they'll all be going to our grey boy Bracken next season in the hope of black cria!!  This time round Nellie and Yolanda have been mated to whites, and Medallion and Midsummer have been mated to our black boy, Alba - roll on 2014!!

Orchid, demonstrating the economy size 'sulk'!!  LOL!!  Not sure who she had the argument with, but they definitely won!!

Pearl, looking gorgeous, even with dust on her nose!!

More milling of stragglers!

This is Vynka, she's not black, but I am very fond of her, she is a gentle soul and very friendly, especially if you might have llama lollies in your pocket.  Vynka and Tiana Rose (front left in the above photo) are both due to pop in November, so 2013 is not without merit!!  LOL!!

Back in the home paddock, Cushla seemed to be in need of some of the cooling effects that can be achieved by dipping  your feet in the water trough.  Even though the sun was shining I cannot believe this was warranted even for a black alpaca - surely you cant over heat when the temperature is still in single figures Cushie?

Cushla's son Casper, who is a little sweetie, very calm and quiet like his mother.

 Missy Moo and her mum, Myriah enjoying an intimate moment, which is really nice to see as mostly Myriah seems a bit over the mothering thing!

Kids in the sun, Missy Moo, Nanook and Casper

 Nanook is very curious and seems endlessly fancinated by the camera.  He has a dark wishbone of colour across his nose, a nod to his black mother?  He's going to be quite a big lad, like her, and is enjoying life and the general rough and tumble of home paddock life.

New Comers, Updates and Let Downs

This weekend we welcomed Collette to our herd, she settled in almost immediately and this morning was in the yards at brekky time - smart girl!!

She looks quite like a feminine version of Alba, but will have to wait to see what their cria might look like because Collette's first will be to Callisto.

In the background you can see Namoi, definitely looking more dark brown than black!

Trying to take pics of Collette where she did not look like a deer in the headlights was made more difficult by Joeley wanting to photobomb every shot!!

Myriah and Missy Moo are doing well; yesterday was marking day and cant say Missy Moo was too impressed with her new ear jewellery much at all!!

A little disappointed that Myriah and Phoebe failed spit off tests yesterday, and as its getting too cold and too late now, we will have to wait for spring for the next opportunity to mate these girls; probably not a bad thing as my herd is very autumn drop heavy and the spring group could have a few more numbers..... 2 is a small group!!  LOL!!