Males getting in the act 🦙❄️🦙
That’s my spot man.
Females Experiencing Deep Snow
These girls have been cooped up a couple days during this storm. I can’t believe how filthy the white ones get compared to the bright white snow 😬. Alpacas need their personal space just like us, especially pregnant girls, so you’ll hear some spitting 🤣. They were happy to get out 🌈🦙🐋:)!
Fancy back stepping Guerrero
Males not too sure about going out into the snow 😉🦙🌨. That’s some fancy back stepping Guerrero 🕺.
Watching the last fleece come off. The alpacas have to get reacquainted with each other after their haircuts but they so appreciate being comfortable. These shearers are amazing; they travel almost 30,000 miles in 3 months to shear animals at farms from the east to west coast. This year they rose to the occasion as my husband had knee replacement surgery so in addition to the shearers it was just Bridger and me. This crew took the burden off and helped tremendously, giving shots and helping bag fleece plus making sure I had my fiber sample. Not a complainer among them, just much appreciated help without asking. And they genuinely enjoy what they do. Miraculously my muscles weren’t as sore as usual the next day. They used a new cool method for bagging the seconds & thirds. They left for two more jobs in Colorado this very same day after they finished with us. Thanks again fellas!!!
Guapo is getting stretched out; ready for his toenails to be trimmed, teeth too if needed, shots given and lastly fleece taken. It is recommended to shear annually. We live at 8000 feet and so far have had mild temps but in places like Texas, the heat could kill alpacas even if shorn annually.
We finally got them shorn; thanks to Brian, John, Mike, Vaugh and Bridger. These are the young healthy men we need to catch the alpacas safely and get them stretched out, so no one gets hurt. Had one tumble but it wasn’t an alpaca. We could never do this without these guys who really know what they are doing. And this is Stitch, the last one, who is quite the healthy male in his own right. This is how it is done. Thanks guys!!!
Livestock Guardian Dog Zeus. He is a Maremma (Italian sheep dog) and a critical part of protecting our or rather his alpacas. He loved winter as you can tell.
It has been a week of brutal temps here in Wyoming 🥶. Too dangerous for alpacas to be outside in these wind chills so early in the season. Ironically, it’s not officially winter yet. Thankfully our power stayed on and we have feed, as you can see these Ladies are enjoying it. I’m hoping it’ll feel like a heat wave tomorrow 🌞☀️🌞. Take care out there.
And we were serenaded by Carolers 🎄🎅🎶:))).
HAPPY HAPPY JOY JOY
Released to enjoy the fresh grass and freedom:))).
My Meditation:))).
The most succulent shoots are among the budding aspens.
Hay Champions 💪
Honoring these fellas today. We never run out of feed during the most unpredictable month of the year. We were lucky enough to get the trailer load dropped in between storms, muck and wind chills. Doubly lucky for spring weather and Tripley grateful for the help moving it into the barns from Bridger, Chan, Chris, Kyle and Matt. Plus Mark of course. Such an enormous relief:))). Thank you, thank you for the serendipity and these guys!!!
Alpaca Closeups, catching the last blades of grass.
Munching away. The alpacas know winter is close 🌬❄️🌬. El Guapo and Stitch standing out.
Ex Parte fervently fatting up for winter.
Gift from the Beavers, water and fresh grass in Fall.
Alpacas Jumping a Beaver Channel
This area is filled with water from snow melt in spring and there would usually be wading going on. By Fall though, everywhere is bone dry except this patch where the beavers have made water trickle:).
