Our particularly wintry December has transitioned into an even colder and snowier January.
The team has been busy shoveling paths around the Chimp House, endlessly plowing the property’s driveway, and entertaining the chimps (who are unanimously choosing to lounge indoors during the current snowstorm).
Yet another daily chore has been making it out to the winter paddock to muck the barn and provision the sanctuary’s bovines with fodder. Earlier today, caregiver Sam could barely see where she was driving the John Deere as the wind sent snowflakes whipping past her face. On top of all this, her snow shovel went rogue, somehow came to rest on the Gator’s gas pedal, and almost sent the whole rig fish-tailing into a snowbank. While laughing about it afterward, Sam said the ordeal was worth it to see the cattle happily munching on their grain and alfalfa.
Even though their seasonal paddock is covered in a blanket of fluffy snow, the rescued Jersey cattle have been making their own paths across the frozen terrain, thus ensuring that they can reach all their preferred shelters. During one of yesterday’s brief moments of clear sunshine, I served some hay at the furthest barn to entice them to stretch their legs. Unsurprisingly, they had already blazed a trail up there and almost beat me to the far gate.
Here are some photos of the Moo Crew and their surroundings:
Caroline says
Oh how I love the Moo Crew! They all look so fluffy with their Winter coats, stay well my dears :heart::heart:
Anthony says
Their winter coats are the best!!! Thanks, Caroline!
Pamela says
Such beautiful photos, thank you Anthony.
Anthony says
Thanks, Pamela!
Paulette says
Sam, I bet that was quite a little jolt of adrenaline right? I recall some pretty fun times on little David Brown tractor. Sometimes a bit scary. I was a bit of a daredevil. 😉
As we’ve come to anticipate, Great photos Anthony!
Anthony says
I think Sam has recovered from the Gator debacle. Once you realize where it can and cannot go, drifting around corners in the Gator can be a lot of fun, too!
CarolR says
Just look at the size of that boy!!! He’s enormous and dwarfs the girls. Lovely photos…..stay warm and safe.??
Anthony says
Thanks, Carol! Nutmeg is still an absolute house, but he’s in better shape than he was and seems a lot happier! He looks especially large next to Betsy since she’s petite for a Jersey.
Tobin says
In that one photograph, Meredith has a look that seems to say, “Okay, I know that we earn our board and keep fire-wising this land, but, are we also expected to snow-wise all this, too?”
Anthony says
Haha, fortunately we have the tractors to handle some of the snow; the rest will have to wait until the spring thaw. In the meantime, the cattle will just be responsible for their own foot paths! I’m sure they’ll be excited to see some greenery in a few months.
Kathleen says
Love seeing the Moo Crew! It always amazes me when I see Nutmeg, he is so massive. Meredith and Betsy look so petite next to him. Beautiful photos. Happy Sam’s Gator fiasco didn’t cause any harm, whew. Wild mule on the loose!
Betsy says
Yes, isn’t Nutmeg a big guy! It’s so hard to judge from the photos!
Anthony says
Kathleen and Betsy- it’s tough to tell thier relative sizes from the zoomed-out picture of them walking up the hill, but the three of them at the gate is a more accurate portrayal of their frames. Nutmeg is a titan.
Betsy says
I just think this is somehow whow life is intended to be, as long as you have companions to help you do the work of maintaining it. So lovely and peaceful.
Anthony says
I definitely appreciate all the snow and I even enjoy it sometimes! If we weren’t responsible for driving to work and it didn’t prevent the chimps from accessing Young’s Hill, this snowstorm would be my ideal weather. 🙂
Laurie Mowat says
Love the photo of the Junco. They are my favorite winter bird and I wait for them every year. I’ve been happily watching them around my feeders.
Anthony says
We love them too! They love hanging around the barns and foraging around the cattle.
Marya says
Brrrr…great pics of the hungry and cold-hardy moos. Thanks for the addition of the Junco and the mule deer! I adore Juncos, too, as Laurie does. It was a great surprise treat to see that photo.
Anthony says
Thanks, Marya! Yes, I wish I had my longer zoom lens on me for the juncos, but I did my best with my 85mm! I’m glad you liked it. 🙂
Deanna says
i love them, i love them, i love them!!! The Moo crew always brings a smile to my face! whoever says Cattle have no personality have clearly never met the moo crew!!!!
Anthony says
They do have a lot of personality and it includes quite a bit of attitude! 🙂