With Attitude

Back on one of my favourite walks, I was pleased to see my favourite herd of cows, although, I think this youngster was not quite so please to see me.

Normal Service Resumed

Now that I am back at my normal computer, I can start to properly edit the images I took during my latest visit to West Cork. Whilst there, I did manage some editing of a fashion on my relocated, old, slow, G4 Mac with an off-cast flat screen. This is actually a considerable upgrade from the old iBook I had been using and filling my hand-luggage with each trip. So, whilst it is frustrating hitting the 'go' button and having time to go and make a cup of tea during the wait, it is not half as frustrating as the screen. As I have left my 'good' screen coupled with the replacement Mac Pro, it was a case of finding a spare screen to leave with the G4. The only one available was an old Sony, once used by my better half, but discarded due to 'the odd colours'. Nothing that a bit of careful setting up couldn't sort out - or so I thought.

Once into the settings, I found that the red and blue channel were adjustable but the green channel actually did have nothing to declare by being impossible to adjust. This left the screen with a rather strange colour cast that fluctuated according to how long it had been turned on. I fast came to the conclusion that this was not going to be a permanent option for a computer used predominantly for photographic and design work. A replacement is to be found and I will gladly confirm that the screen does indeed have 'odd colour'.

I can't tell you how much I appreciate my good screen, with a clear sharp image, that also has a regular liason with a Colormunki. The above image was one that I chose to work on whilst away, but needed a total overhaul before it would even see the light of another computer screen. However, with a re-jig back here, I can post it with confidence now.

Looking back on the images from the past few days, it is clear that they are rather odd in places, and for that I do apologise, but I am also pleased to announce that normal service has now been resumed.



(My thanks must go to the neighbouring beef farmer who kindly allowed me to tag behind him one morning so I could fulfil the last part of my documentary study, before pulling it together for the summer show.)

Inquisitive

Continuing with the documentary work during my recent trip to West Cork, I re-visited some friends who farm a herd of organic Galloway beef cattle.

I first came face to face with these boys last year and now they are 'ready to move on'. So, to all you big specialist city buyers, I can tell you where to go looking!

And looking is what this fella was doing- straight down my lens. It was only when I lowered the camera from my eye that I realised just how close. Meanwhile, the farmer was having a quiet chuckle to himself behind me.

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Before I Leave West Cork...

...one last ahhh as another new calf arrives. Only twenty more to go.
A farmers work is never done.

Update from West Cork

One month on from my last visit to West Cork, the bovine year has progressed. These young heifers born late last season, were enjoying their last chomp on the headland grass this afternoon before being ushered down the lane to pastures new.

The old girl featured in my bovine pedicure blog, finally gave birth today and I hope I might be able to see mum and calf tomorrow.

The new-born with the long legs, also from before, is up and about in the barn with all the other new arrivals, and will probably go out grass in the next couple of weeks- that is if the weather behaves itself. Rumour has it that snow is forecast for St Patricks day next week. Coupled with a spring tide, it could prove to be an interesting few days.

(Apologies for the 5MP p&s images again)

New-Born

A week ago last night, I was a little sad that my hope of watching the arrival of a new calf was not going to happen before leaving West Cork. Then, at around 9.30pm that night, my friendly farmer rang me to say that there was a heifer about half an hour away from the moment, if I was interested. Interest didn't come into it. I wasn't going to miss this for the world.

Quickly grabbing my camera kit, pulling on my wellies, coat and warm hat, I awarded myself the luxury of jumping in the car to go swiftly on the few hundred yards down the dark lane. When I arrived, all things were quiet and the expectant mum was comfortably contained in the barn. This first-timer, a Jersey/Friesian cross suddenly became conscious that she now had an audience. On the advice of the farmer, I stayed out of view of her as much as possible, my camera set roughly aimed on a tripod and operated with the remote shutter release. (Yes, I have replaced the batteries)

Half an hour moved on to an hour that moved on to two hours, and the initial thought that the delay was due to 'stage fright' changed into concern that there might be a problem. My friendly farmer began to apologise that he was going to have to help out with this birth as the calf was clearly a big one. I needed no apology, what had to be done, had to be done, so with a quick change into a waterproof suit, he entered the barn with some of the kit I remembered from the 'Herriot Saturday evenings'. I will spare you the next few details, but after a lot of pulling and the use of a ratchet gadget on a pole, out popped this tardy calf. Lying steaming and helpless in the straw, it was clear that she had legs that any supermodel would desire. They were long. It would be an hour or so before she would get to her feet so for a while we retired to the warmth of the farmhouse kitchen.

Returning for one last look in the early hours to check everything was ok, we could see that the mother had done her job of washing the calf but it was going to take this new-born a little bit of courage to raise herself up onto those elegant pins. We were keen to see her standing next to the other new arrivals just to compare how much taller she would stand. Alas, it wasn't going to be yet, however, I was happy enough. I had seen this amazing event.

One week on, and I guess this little one is confidently skipping around with all the other new arrivals. I'd love to see her now.

Bovine Pedicure

So you didn't believe me?
True to my promise, I bring you a posting on this rural happening.

 

Shape up;   Fit extensions;   Apply colour.

Joking apart, this was one happy lady earlier this week. Not only was she glad to get out of the restraining crate, but it would have been a great relief to her having had the damage to her hoof treated. Just as we can damage under the quick of our nails, so can cows. Very often, the damage can cause the hoof to over-grow in an attempt to compensate. Here, she was having the damaged area cut away, before a foot lift was glued to the healthy half, giving it a chance to heal.

This cow, at around 14 years old, is the oldest in the herd and it had been noted that she wasn't walking well. The mobile 'foot doctor' had been called in to treat her and two other cows that were also having foot problems. In the past, this would have been a highly dangerous operation, with the cow often only held with a rope. Now, with the use of a mobile, hydraulic restraining crate, it makes the job much quicker and safer.


(I hope this oversized posting will make up for not bringing you a posting on Thursday. This was unfortunately due to the unfolding tragedy at Cork Airport and my subsequent pre-occupation in getting to Shannon in the quest to fly back to the UK. I am pleased to hear that two of the injured have now left hospital and hope that the remaining four may make a satisfactory recovery. Cork Airport is now open again and the investigation into what caused the accident is well under way.)

New Life

What a day! I have been progressing with the planned documentary work, starting with a chat to a young, beef cattle farmer, who despite currently having to run the farm alone and look after a toddler, he has the most refreshing cheery disposition. His wife has just spent the last few days sitting up in hospital with their poorly baby daughter, and yet he still has a smile on his face and declares that farming is the best life. People with this sort of outlook on life deserve to succeed and I wish him and his young family well.

Dropping by the dairy farmer again this morning, he pointed out a young heifer who's first calf would be born within the next few hours and I was hoping that I might be fortunate enough to be there for this new arrival. To kill time, I spent lunchtime photographing the wide variety of birds visiting the nearby strand. In half an hour I spotted two types of gull and the hooded crows that are always present as well as a rock pipit, oyster catcher, pied wagtail, sandpiper, redshank and a shag with its prominent breeding season crest. In the same half hour there were three other bizarre visitors. Firstly a power-walking lady who sent all the birds up into the air in a flurry as she marched from one end of the strand to the other - six times. Then a man who drove up as close to the strand as possible, off-loaded a wheelbarrow and shovel, then proceeded to fill the barrow with sand before re-loading it into the back of his van. Finally, an elderly man who also drove up as close to the strand as possible before selecting a carrier-bag full of stones with these also ending up in the back of his car. Too many interruptions for my liking, so time for me to move on.

Returning later to check the progress of the heifer I, and more so, the farmer had been surprised to find the arrival had happened sooner than expected for this first-time mum. We had both missed it. For me, it is sad as I am running out of time to catch one of these special moments. For the farmer, it is only the beginning of this annual rural cycle, with just one more new life.

Textures

 

Textures feature a lot in Irish life. Today we had a return to 'soft' weather following the beautiful evening enjoyed yesterday, when I had spotted this wonderful sun-kissed, spongy coastal grass. Compare this with the similarity in texture found today on a creature chastised by some farmers. It was not the most happy encounter with this lovely animal and I will leave you to work out where I saw it. 

On a happier note though, today I was able to photograph new life. Only a matter of hours old in some cases and there are more due at any time. Unfortunately I am currently unable to give you the pictures of these delightful new calves, that a proud West Cork farmer was kind enough to allow me to record. Along with this part of the dairy farming cycle, I also observed the equivalent of a bovine pedicure. Three of his ladies were in need of a little attention with their toe nails and it was an experience not to be missed. So I promise to post some pictures of this interesting procedure, upon my return to better technology, as I am sure you wouldn't want to miss this.

Boys in Wooly Coats

Whilst still on things bovine, I thought you might like to see a lovely young fella. He was one from a herd of Galloways I photographed last August. They are farmed organically by a friend of ours in Ireland and I understand that they are much more trouble-free than some of the other traditionally farmed breeds. Being hardy, they can easily tolerate the harshness of the weather that we, and unusually, the Irish have experienced this winter. Able to live off poor ground, the mothers calve easily, have abundant milk and the breed produces wonderful beef. Sounds perfect. I have to say, I was particularly taken by their lovely wooly coats and curly hair-dos though.

So, why so much interest in cattle? Well, I began a documentary project last year, focusing on the changes in dairy/cattle farming in a particular corner of Ireland. These changes have happend in less than a generation and will have implications for many generations to come. I am keen to capture some of this remaining lifestyle before it disappears completely as well as photographing the moves forward, such as that, our friend has made.

Having a number of photographic forays already in the bag, I still have several trips planned to continue with this project. I will endeavour to keep you up-dated with progress although I guess this project will be on-going, with the end difficult to define. However, I hope to be able to share the results with you when I bring the Galloways together with the other bovine encounters, later this summer, in a documentary photographic show.

Pretty Girls

They are so pretty but they are cows.
I will excuse you for thinking that this might have been a comment overheard at a beauty pageant or fashion show, but infact, it is what I think every time I see a Jersey cow. You can't but fail to be attracted to those gorgeous eyes and the shapely mouth. Their skin tones may vary but those wonderful toffee colours just add to the overall attractiveness of their dainty frames.

I am fortunate enough to be able to see a herd of these beauties locally. I suspect, though that the pureness of breed has been adjusted slightly over the years, judging by the man they currently have about the house. This dark, handsome beast must be having the time of his life with all these pretty girls! Anyway, although some girls sport his darker hair colour, there is no disputing those original female genes.

I expect someone out there in-the-know will point out my lack of knowledge with all things bovine, and so I apologise in advance. However, anyone observing this row of breakfasting girls today, would have to agree with me that they are front-page models, compared to any of the plain-Janes that graze our fields regionally. Unlike a highly-strung super-model, these girls have a placid nature. They certainly aren't skitzy and calmly continue chomping whilst the adoring audience pass by. Their inquisitive nature does finally get the better of them though, causing each of them to turn their heads as a Mexican wave, and saying,
"Aren't I gorgeous, look at me!"