But this morning the solution of where to walk comes in the form of the daily checking of the cows. We walk down below the house and across the raised beach. The grass is pretty short still but the flowers were wonderful. Not necessarily big and showy - yes, some Northern Marsh orchids, and some very tight Fragrants which is lovely to see coming, but it was the tiny ones that caught my eye.
We had a visitor this morning. Bold as brass. I don't think his eyesight was very good as he let me get quite close.
Farmer and family are off on holiday in a week's time, and every year, there is discussion as to which fields the cows should be grazing in the run up to our departure, because when we leave we want them to be in a field with at least 2 weeks worth of available grazing. J comes in each day to check them while we are away, but it is easier if he doesn't have to move them onto a new field while we are away.
This year the grass is behind itself, compared to previous years. And at this time of year, I like to photograph the fields before the cows are introduced to record the flowers before the field changes. I was planning to photograph the Wigwam 1 field before he moved them in! However it is always important to go with the flow, as you never know what might be round the corner, as we were about to find out.
The daisies seem to favour the compacted ground which the tractor and quad have driven on.
Eyebright.
I am not sure which Forget me not this is, it is TINY.
Northern marsh orchid.
Dandelion family.
Perfection.
Red clover.
Northern Marsh orchid.
Pignut.
Heath spotted orchids.
Northern marsh orchid.
Black medick.
Here are the errant heifers, and our dun cow coming to have a look at them. They have not met before.
Luckily the herd was lured away by Farmer, calling them at the top of his voice. The call is the same one they used on the farm where he worked before. 'Com' on N'.
Across Wigwam 2 field into Wigwam 1.
Heads down!
There are a lot of Common Twayblade, and other orchids in this field, but the cows dont eat them in the same way the sheep will. They are more likely to be damaged by a hoof.
My heart lurches a bit when the cows go into a field with a good flora, but I have to remember that they need to eat before I need to see the flowers! And we cannot be too precious.
