Llama Hugs

Yesterday was the branch meeting of the Llama Assocation - it was held at Glynda's house, which is always good because there are lots of llama hugs to be had :)

These 3 llamas were all very keen have some human company and I was happy to oblige :)  They look kinda funny after shearing, especially Llapolean who has just had the saddle done!

Today's Pep Talk

Each morning I tell Sweet Pea to get on with the job and pop!!! But not today, today's pep talk was quite different, it was 3 degrees cold wind blowing and raining hard this morning, as it seems to have been most of the night, so I did the bit from Shakespeare where Ceasar is being implored not to go to the Senate, 'Juli Juli dont go!'  I said Sweet Pea, Sugar Pie, Sugar Lips dont go popping today!!  By Tuesday it's forecast to be 26 and mild overnight - much better thought.  Fingers crossed she got the message ;-D

Lead and Halter Training, Kiki in the Orchard and the garden

Every morning we have a little lead and halter training sesh for the 'babies'.  Pleased to say that some are making good progress :)  We are using halters designed by Lavender Park's Ruth King and they are brilliant, the snap to close fittings make it much easier to fit  and not pull their hair and they come in a range of fab colours, though I must admit to liking purple and red best - nothing new there!!

Bracken is improving slowly - looks dashing in purple :)

Eddy with Maggie Mae, she is a real star, but all credit for her training must go to Ruth, we are just adding new skills like different handlers and new situations and surfaces.

Phoebe is a blue black and looks dazzling in her red halter.

Tarquinn has a buckle up halter and he is not fond of having it fitted as it is almost impossible not to get his long coat tangled  in the buckle.  He seems to have realised that there is such a thing as too close to the camera - at last!!  LOL!!

The orchard is looking fab at present, the trees are all in flower, these are apple and pear trees.

Kiki in full flight through the orchard.  She is sporting her new choke chain instead of a collar and its hoped that this will be less wear and tear on her neck!

The garden is also full of flowers, a stunning lilac tree.

Dutch irises in the side garden.

The front garden has just popped with some very pale/white bearded iris :)

Ducklings, Sweet Pea and Red Brow Finches

Sweet Pea still hasnt popped!!  She is so big its amazing, but she continues to eat, sleep and look pretty pleased with herself, letting day after day go by without any sign of cria being closer to arriving!!

Morning nap time in the shade:

Yesterday the ducklings had their first day outside, they enjoyed the sunshine and spent most of the time in the water!!  They dont grow as fast as when they are in the brooder all the time eating and eating and eating, but they certainly have a nice time and sleep like little rocks when its time to come in.

Red Brow Finches - they're everywhere!!  The air is heavy with their noise and the ground covered with them.

Very good day today at lead and halter training - everybody is improving!!  Even Bracken walked forward, if only a little.   Phoebe is also improving, Maggie starred as usual and Joeley was marginally less stubborn than she has been!!  All good :)

Boorowa Wool Fest

On Sunday I took part in the Boorowa Wool Fest - didnt know it when I volunteered, but ended up leading a llama in the street parade!  Saw the running of the sheep, and it took quite a bit of persuasion to get them to move!!  For a while it looked like it was going to be more 'the milling of the sheep'.

Cannot believe how calm the llamas were walking down the road with people cheering and waving flags and music and car horns - Llapolean and Roberto took it all in their stride!!  Think I must have answered 'what's the difference between a llama and an alpaca?' about a million times in the 6 or so hours!

From little eggs......

..... hatch little ducklings, our smallest Call duck so far!  But I am pleased to say ALL of this hatch pass the 'good ducks sit' palm test for calm personalities!!  And they are all v cute!!

We have them in blue bibbed:

 Blue fawn:

 Buff:

 And the teeny guy, who may well be white!

No baby llama - will a duckling do?

Sweet Pea continues to hold out on us, but the incubator is popping today.  The eggs are those rescued from the nest of my dear little apricot girl who was taken by the fox!!  First out is a lavender bibbed :)