Goats

I pulled over to the side of the road when I saw a field of goats, earlier this spring. They were quite far back in their pasture - somewhere between 12 and 20 of them. I didn't count.

One curious one nodding its head and looking at me sideways - long ears flopping over its face, came towards me.

It was joined by a brown and white one soon after and another began pretending not to see me as it nibbled grass with each step towards the fence where I had my camera poised.

They made me laugh...curious but not particularly brave with strangers. And though I talked in a low voice and was trying to be encouraging to get them to come close enough to be petted - wasn't going to happen. They were too skittish.

While I was admiring them  a truck went by and they all ran towards a bunch of rocks in the background

The first ones there clambered up onto the safety of the rocks and others milled around, a couple turning to make sure I wasn't following or that the truck wasn't coming into their field.

Wikipedia says: "Goats are among the earliest animals domesticated by humans. The most recent genetic analysis confirms the archaeological evidence that the wild bezoar of the Zagros are the likely origin of almost all domestic goats today.

Neolithic farmers began to herd wild goats for easy access to milk and meat, primarily, as well as for their dung, which was used as fuel, and their bones, hair, and sinew for clothing, building, and tools. The earliest remnants of domesticated goats dating 10,000 years before present are found in Ganj Dareh in Iran. Goat remains have been found at archaeological sites in Jericho, Choga Mami, Djeitun and Cayonu, dating the domestication of goats in western Asia at between 8,000 and 9,000 years ago.

Studies of DNA evidence suggests 10,000 years BP as the domestication date. 

Historically, goat hide has been used for water and wine bottles in both traveling and transporting wine for sale. It has also been used to produce parchment."

I learned that there are now about 300 different breeds of domestic goat. Many farmers these days it seems are breeding goats for exactly the same products that neolithic farmers did... meat, milk and hides. Goat milk and goat cheese are very popular.

For me, since I love all animals, it's wonderful to see these creatures out in the fields, and not penned up inside some barn somewhere. And it's encouraging to see local farms making the beginnings of a comeback - small though it is - the movement towards "buying and eating local" is, to my way of thinking healthy for humans, animals and the economy in general. I recognize that the large agribiz companies don't agree. But at least we are getting more choice in what we eat and how we farm. All good in my opinion.

Hope you can enjoy some foods and beverages from a local farm, bakery, orchard, vineyard or brewery today. Nearby and delicious, healthy choices - just can't be beat!

The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair

There were five teams and their beautiful wagons parading around the ring, high-stepping Clydesdales and Percherons moving pretty much in unison as they pulled the gleaming carts and then stopped to be judged on ability to back up, hold position and move forward. This was fun and the crowd was amazingly big considering it was only two o'clock on a weekday afternoon.

Every year, I try to go to the Royal to get my horse fix and other farm animal fix, see prize winners, and visit with my goddaughter. She has a beautiful booth every year, where she sells antique furniture and various other accoutrements that have been painted with horses, fox terriers, pugs, foxes anything related to horses and riding or driving.

The smells, the sounds, the sights of hundreds of little kids running around having a really exciting time, perhaps the first in which they've been able to be up close and personal with animals, is always for me a memorable experience.

I've no idea what kind of pigeon this is, but it was part of the bird show on that day. This one was trying to show the pigeon next to it that it was prettier, bigger, whatever as it puffed its chest up towards the male next to it. Comical  indeed.

But it took first prize in its category and its feathers were certainly pretty. So I suppose it had a right to show off.

These two postured and posed - different colours of what I think were the same species... again beautiful feather patterns, but equally funny in their own little competition. That's one of the things about the Royal - you see things you'd never expect in farm animals.

This handsome fellow - also a prize winner - spent a lot of time listening to me croon to him and obligingly turned so I would catch his best side when I asked. What a ham...

Speaking of ham, these two sleepy pigs hardly moved as a group of art school teens worked hard to capture them with their sketch books and pencils. The Royal is always a perfect opportunity for a day out for these young people who could be seen everywhere drawing industriously. Of course they probably never get the chance to go to the country and see these animals in a field. But then most animals aren't in fields any more are they?

These Dorset sheep have been carefully groomed for showing later and blanketed to make sure they don't get straw in their coats, as well as to keep them warm if they've been outside or in barns with long woolly coats. Last year I found some sheep in blankets made of camoflage ...  drawing comments from a couple of people who read my blog and noticed what I hadn't.

Greedy goats stick their heads through the slats of the fence in the petting zoo and are fed pellets that one can buy for a dollar or two.

We were treated to several little children who had never seen animals like this obviously, their eyes big and bright.  When we tried to help them feed the animals we were rewarded with even bigger smiles when little hands were immediately licked clean and more goats arrived to get some treats.

A llama joined the goats for a hand out. Children and adults alike - some apprehensive, some eager, all were delighted to be able to touch the animals. There were goats, sheep, alpacas, rabbits, all kinds of small animals that lured the children in for a real hands-on experience.

That's one of the beauties of the Royal - it's not only for farmers and breeders to show their prize stock, but also for children to get a chance to actually touch and learn about animals. What a joy to watch all this.

I drove home exhilarated and full of smiles... If you get the chance to spend even a half an hour at a similar fair - do give it a try - it is so much fun. There truly is something for everyone. And I had a great day at the fair! May you have a similar experience, different from your daily routine and fun!

Living in the country there are always roadside stands or farm outlets for produce of all kinds throughout most of the growing season, and sometimes year round. One creative apple farmer near me, has added a small petting zoo of farm animals to its attractions.

People can go into the orchard and pick apples, and the kids have donkeys, sheep, goats like this wee pregnant nanny in this photo to pet or look at and even horses and a pony to ride.

When I stopped by the other day, this lovely goat and her companion greeted me with their bleating "maaaaa" bringing a smile. I walked to the edge of their pen and was told by a young woman who was feeding all the animals, that these two like dandelion leaves and that's what they were begging for.

So of course I went and picked some. This gal stuck her head through the wire and I scratched her head and then moved down her neck to where the shoulders and neck meet. It's been my experience with nearly all animals, that is a "sweet" spot which they love to have rubbed and/or scratched.

A friend who works there, laughed at me as he pulled his truck in beside the pen. I always seem to be "loving up" the animals wherever I see them. He pointed out some chickens behind me. They were banties, tiny little chickens and the rooster! A tiny explosion of colour. I tried to get a photo of him.

He was having none of that! And quickly hustled out of the way and chased after the two hens who had escaped my camera very effectively.

I gave up and went back to what I was originally going to do when I pulled in and was immediately distracted by the goats. I figure the chicks were trying to tell me something and had to chuckle.

It's a joy to travel around the countryside in the northern hemisphere this time of year and see the harvest. And tonight is the harvest moon - it will no doubt be beautiful. And a reminder that though it's been a tough summer in so many ways for everyone, too hot, too wet, too dry - always too much of something - we still are fortunate to be able to enjoy the bounty of the countryside. At least many of us are.

May you enjoy this harvest moon day - and perhaps see something a bit different - like this rooster turning his back on me - and making you laugh or smile or even happy to be alive.