FSO - Surrounded

"Tis the time of mud and calves.  Soon we will be surrounded by both.  Last Saturday as I went for a walk around the farm I noticed a small sea of mud around a cattle feeder.  It doesn't take too many feet in a small area to churn up the pasture.

About a hundred metres further along the track I was delighted to see the first calf of the season, surrounded by heifers who are about to calve for the first time.  Their hormone pump is primed, ready for them to give birth and be receptive to their new calves.  In the meantime, they are fascinated by any calf.

As I walk around the farm, I always love looking at the hills that surround us.

I took this shot from just up the road.

 That's all for today, I must make haste.  My daughter, son-in-law and precious grandson are due to arrive any minute.

I'll get around to look at what surrounds the rest of the Friday Shoot Out team after they go back home.

Oh my hat

I woke in a sweat thinking I'd forgotten to turn off the electric blanket when I got into bed like I usually do.  But no, it was off, it was just an unusually warm winter morning.  And it turned into a magical day with a light breeze and soft light. Perfect for a walk - with stops to greet the animals.

 the heifers

 the yearlings

The horses took a while to decide to approach me for a rub.

 And that was when my hat blew off.  At first he thought there might be some food in it.

 Then he thought it might be food:

He seems to be thinking about what to do with it next.  In the end he dropped it, the wind caught it and the last I saw of it it was scurrying across the long grass towards the creek.

 Ah well, it was still a lovely day.  Not having to worry about the hat flying away I could lift my head more easily to admire the silvery white toetoe against the silvery grey poplars and that lovely blue sky with just a little puff of a cloud.