Fiber Farming. January 23, 2012
Posted by littlebangtheory in Art and Nature, Politics and Society.Tags: fiber farm, goatherd, goats, Jacob sheep, llama, sheep
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It’s not uncommon in these parts to find farms where the primary product is hair.
Animals which get sheared for fiber (think “sheep” as a starter) are common in Western Massachusetts.
At a farm up in Hawley, goats and their man-servant:
Goats aren’t one of the fiber producers, but that guy is – tending stock is a job without Sundays or vacations.
Jacob sheep, noted for their multiple horns:
Generally four, occasionally six. That’s news to me, but then, I’m a country boy, not a farm boy.
A Llama:
These beasties were roaming free, but with short leashes attached, which I suppose would make them easier to get hold of, if (when) you needed to.
This place was also raising pigs and Guinea hens, the latter of which played Chicken with me in the narrow road. I knew my 4-Runner could win that one, but I really didn’t want to fricassee someone’s assets. Or hurt a birdie.
Rural life continues in these parts, but it ain’t a get-rich-quick scheme.
By the way, these were all hand-held with Gizmo, my 400mm lens, from the driver’s seat of my running car. They came out better than I anticipated without image stabilization (which is a whole lot more bucks that I didn’t have when I got Gizmo.)
Spring On The Farm. April 12, 2011
Posted by littlebangtheory in Art and Nature.Tags: birches, calf, cow, farms, llama, Scottish Highlanders, sheep, Spring
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Springtime is busy on our local farms. Maple sugaring is winding down, and attention turns to livestock:
Dim-witted sheep stand around shorn and shivering in their barnyard Johnnies, having just been swindled out of their warm winter coats:
…yeah, I’m talkin ’bout you!
…while their distant cousins remain aloof and above it all:
Most of the farm ponds have iced out, though the grass is still just vaguely green:
…and somebody has been using the barbed wire fence for a scratching spot:
…perhaps this Scottish Highlander and her calf?
I mean, I’m totally ok with that, Yes Ma’am, no problems here…
All in all, a nice time of year in these parts:
I’m still in JPEG mode, so pardon any appreciable lack of photo quality.
They’re calling for rain the next few days, so I was glad to snag these shots today.
More From The Festival Of The Hills! October 10, 2010
Posted by littlebangtheory in Politics and Society.Tags: alpaca, cider, Conway Festival of the Hills, CSA, Field Memorial Library, llama, rodeo, scholarships, Six Flags
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Here’s a brief tour of last weekend’s festivities in Conway:
The “welcome wagon,” in front of the Field Memorial Library, built by a local-boy-made-good:
The library is a visual anomaly in this little hill town of one story wood-framed buildings, but when a local-farm-boy-turned-department-store-mogul builds his home town a library, you just say, “Thank you.” 😉
The town hall is the only other “modern” building in sight, and the gateway to the festivities:
This is basically an agricultural fair in the old New England tradition, with displays by local farms:
…these being organic goodies from our CSA.
There’s fresh cider from local apples:
…Did I mention that it’s fresh?
And lots of food from local restaurants and crafts from local artisans:
But the real excitement is provided by Six Flags Over Conway – witness the Giant Swing:
…the Slide of Death:
Mountain Climbing for Those Who Dare:
…and of course, what country shindig would be complete without… a rodeo!
While some might express their disdain for such reckless pursuit of excitement…
(I was going to title this one, “Llama Lifts a Leg” until Susan pointed out that it’s an alpaca, which doesn’t alliterate as easily…)
…none could be other than impressed by feats of Herculean Strength such as the Ladies’ Skillet Toss:
And let me tall ya, these grrrls could hurl!
All kidding aside, this was a great day of family fun, with all proceeds going to benefit scholarships for the town’s students.
That alone was plenty of reason to go and drop a few bucks.