The Garden, My Birthday, Crias and Sunday with Scarlett

I spent Sunday afternoon with Scarlett Rose, she had just had a bath and was in her robe when I arrived, then she had a yummy lunch of meatballs and then some play time.

I HAD one lovely red nerine in the garden... Ruby fixed that for me only minutes after this photo was taken!!

Cushla helped my birthday along by giving birth to a black female cria that I have named Rosamund.

Later we had a lovely dinner at the Bowning Hotel :)

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Nicholai is growing well:

And so too is Yvette, who is a quiet little soul, and not nearly as boisterous as Nicholai.

An early start this morning, Joeley was in labour but with a malpresented cria, left leg bent back at the shoulder and right leg bent back at the knee.... beyond my skill set to fix that, call for the vet, muscle relaxants and major manoeuvring, then presto, she's here, a little medium grey female cria.  Its been a tough start, her head and neck were very swollen after all Joeley's straining to push her out.  She's recovering slowly, but not able to stand yet.  Think good thoughts for Jemima, she's not out of the woods yet.

Collette was hanging tight with Joeley all morning, despite vets, cars and me also being in close proximity.  After the vets left I helped Collette deliver an enormous (9.46kg) grey female cria, Chiara.  She is a pretty little thing and is doing very well.

Nicholai and Portia are best buds, here hanging out with Pearl, but mostly off on their own.

Portia is beginning to realise that you should be careful what you wish for.  She was at Nicholai from the time he was born to hurry up and get into play mode... now.... Portia has to find her mum Pearl to hide behind because Nicholai wants to play  ALL the time!!  LOL!!

Cruising in Canberra

Yesterday I went for a cruise on Lake Burley Griffin with Freya, Scarlett and Dan.  It was a pleasant ride around the lake and our captain was determined to tell us EVERY fact about the buildings and their history!  Scarlett was as entertained by the other people on the boat as the scenery.... and undoubtedly the best part of the trip for her was sharing a little of her Dad's ice-cream!

Baby tasted pretty good as well... apparently

Afterwards there was time for a play on the foreshore:

When I got home I discovered that Pearl had given birth to a blue black female cria - result :)  Eddy had been able to spray the baby's cord with Betadine, but by the time I got home Pearl was in her more usual hyper-protective mode, and I was not allowed to get too close!  We've named the baby Portia.

Catching Up the next bit

Bianca is a lovely little cria, pretty, charming, inquisitive and always seems 'happy'.

Yes, she thinks her yellow ear tapes look pretty fetching too!

On Sunday I came home to discover that Narcissus had given birth to our first 'home grown' cria, a first cria for dad Alba - a black female - good job!!  We've called her Nefertiti and she's doing very well :)

Monday saw the early arrival of (Black) Pearl's cria, a blue black male, who we initially named Prince Charming, but have since re-named Jack Sparrow.  He is a Kok son, and quite lovely :)

The biggest belly competition!  Winner in the alpaca class is Fresian, due on March 14

And in the llama class, its Trinket, due on March 15

Lucien is growing well, coming along with lead and halter class and generally throwing his weight around with the younger and lighter crias!!

Here he meets Uncle Totem (left) and dad Carter (right).

Prize for 'most likely to be faking' goes to Vevina, pretty sure there is no cria - except in her head!  Disappointed about that, but can't change it.

A second waterlily for the season - really enjoyed it :)

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 :)