Treshnish Farm: calving

Showing posts with label calving. Show all posts

Saturday, 24 May 2014

The Point's wild 'garden'

The other night we went on to the lower part of the Point, to look at the seabirds nesting on the cliffs. It is a familiar refrain as to how few seabirds there are now, compared to the past. But it is true. There are not as many. Having established the nest we were interested in was a shag nest, we walked along the Point, where I haven't walked for a long time, and not at this time of year. It was magical. If a little vertiginous. Inching out on my knees to take photographs of these beautiful cliff edge flowers, like the most wonderful wild garden.

The week has continued to give us good sunsets...

The bluebells are glowing - this is the site for our proposed site, if ever we can sort out the access issues at the road end...

Last night the last cow to calf (very late) took herself off to this corner of bluebells next to the wood, and for a couple of hours we could hear her calling. Farmer was checking on her from afar, using binoculars! It was quite handy she had chosen to be close to the house for that reason.. About 9.25 he saw the front feet appear, and 30 minutes later when he checked again she was licking a newborn calf, already up on its feet. Easy calving is one of the qualities you look for in a bull. This years calves are the first from the bull we bought in March last year. Farmer is pleased, and relieved, that there weren't any problems at calving time - no need to help or intervene. Daughter and I reckon the calf will have to be called Bluebell, irrespective of its sex.

Along Loch na Keal, this hillside was sprayed 2 summers ago, and it has revealed a carpet of bluebells.

Shian garden has recovered from the upheavals of the winter!

Duill garden is recovered too. We have sown wild flower seed on the bare patches of soil and laid some turf on this bit.

Last night Farmer had to go to Crackaig and Glac Gugairidh, I went along for the walk. There are more photographs here.

Thursday, 20 February 2014

Aurora alert!

There is currently a lot of solar activity going on above our heads and we cannot see it! Last night the north of Scotland was under cloud and rain, and so we missed the sights of a lifetime, but that is just the way it goes. It just further fuels my obsession with seeing the northern lights...

Down on the ground, with his feet very much connected to the earth, Farmer has been busy with the cows and the daily feeding/chores routine. Some times a newborn calf doesn't immediately start looking for milk, so Farmer is careful to watch to make sure that each one has drunk within an hour of so of being born. If they are slow to get up, he will spend time observing and assessing whether or not the calf needs help especially if they have a first time mother, as sometimes the bonding process can be a little weak initially.

Daughter and I deserted the Farmer for the half term weekend and took off in search of the northern lights further north on the planet. It was all a huge adventure and we had a fantastic trip but the 'merrie dancers' (as they are called on Orkney) alluded us due to thick cloud. We did briefly glimpse some intense colour through the cloud, but it made me realise that when the conditions are right, we are so lucky to be able to look out and see them from our own garden gate, without having to drive round like dervishes in minibuses which is what goes on in northern Norway!

I am not sure what you call this sort of rainbow, if indeed that is what it is.

The view from our fjord-side bonfire where we sat on reindeer skins (very warm) listening to stories and waiting.. and waiting..

It was a great trip, but as always so good to get back to this. And there was a noticeable improvement in the cottages..

...albeit with some extra holes in the walls.... This is Duill kitchen, where a window is being moved to the end wall so that you can now see the sea while you cook! Knocking the hole through solid concrete was a long and laborious, dusty job.