Farmer Dan added a young bull and two steers to his herd earlier this week. I happened to be there when he pulled in with the trailer, so I helped him close everything up so they could be locked in the barnyard until they all get to know each other.
I came out of the barn to the sound of very loud mooing. One of the steers had been recently banded and was really cranky about it. They seemed interested in each other, but I'm not sure the bull is old enough for love at first sight.
This means that when I go to check on the goats, I have to open the gate and close it after I drive through, to make sure the cows stay where they belong. Yesterday when I got there, all seven of them came down to greet me and check out my car. It was quite the welcoming committee. It took me a while to drive to the barn because they wouldn't get out of my way.
One of the steers came up to my window and stood there while I took pictures of him. He seems very curious about me and even sniffed my hand, but he won't let me touch him.
I really shouldn't try to make friends with him, as he is destined for freezer camp, as is the other steer. They are pretty cute, though.
I checked on the goats and wandered around their yard, taking pictures of, no big surprise here, water drops! This time on blackberry vines, which are surprisingly beautiful up close, even if they look a little hostile. I can't believe I haven't thought of shooting these before, since I spend just about every single day around blackberries.
These vines have been stripped of their leaves, so the thorns are more readily visible, and therefore avoidable. I don't think I got stabbed even once! Oh wait, that's not true.
The thorns turn this fetching magenta this time of year, and against the green it makes quite a picture. This one even has yellow tips that almost look painted on. Well, I guess they all do, but they show up nicely in this one.
I am a little surprised that I can still find beautiful a plant that has done me so much bodily harm, but I guess I have a more forgiving nature than I thought.
For a larger view, here's what the berries are trying to do to the barn. I have no illusions about getting those off the roof. I will do what I can.
I I even managed to combine a couple of my favorite things in one shot: rusty metal and raindrops.
The rusty baling wire is my favorite. It is a ubiquitous thing on a farm, and becomes invisible after a while. Here it almost looks like art.
It was raining the whole time I was wandering around taking pictures, and the goats were watching me from the barn. Even though they are always glad to see me, they weren't about to go out and get wet just to hang out. But they didn't want to let me out of their sight, either.
Happy Saturday, everyone! I'm going to go dig the thorn out of my hand!
