I very, very seldom go outside with the Camera House intending to take a specific shot to match an idea. In fact I never do that. My mind is usually quite empty as usual. So I take photos during the day as I see them, then load them into the post before dinner, then when I awake in the morning I write the words. And as you also know often the words have nothing to do with the photographs either. I just have more words in my head in the morning for some reason.
In fact sometimes I take a few different photographs throughout the day and then when I load them and look at them I am surprised that this memory was only this morning. By evening the mornings seem so far away.
So last night when I loaded the images from that day I found quite a few of Alex, the Dexter heifer.
She must have caught my eye more than once yesterday for some reason. She is getting a little rounder but so is everyone frankly. Have a look at Queenie’s Bobby a few images down. The other thing I am noticing with Alex is development in her udder. I can see teats now when I am sure I have not seen teats before. She is a heifer, she has not had a calf before and heifers have to actually grow an udder. Cows (who have had calves before) seem to fill up with milk in the last few weeks. I have noticed that heifers start to grow their udders a bit earlier. Sometimes up to four months earlier. Very, very slowly.
Alex was field bred to a Lowline Angus. So I have been given June as the month but no real date. The Lowline breed is interesting too. Another miniature and developed by the Australians. They are not milking cows like the Irish Dexters, they are just for beef. I will be interested to see her calf. If it is a heifer Carlos IV will have himself a little miniature herd.
Fat Bobby.
I was mucking out and tidying in the barn for a number of hours today – it was so warm – Lady practically leaned on the side of the barn watching me.
This is the culprit. Sheila is getting lazy with her toilet. She is unapologetic.
Today is still warm (above freezing is always warm in the winter) and so I am going to continue in the barn. There is some fierce cold coming so I want to get the kunekune bed ready. I am going to roll over that big blue pig house – the old fish tank that I cut a hole into. They can sleep IN it in their corner of the barn. That will keep Tane a lot warmer.
I hope you have a lovely day.
love celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
37 responses to “Alex – the Dexter”
it matters not what images you take- but the fact that you always travel with it- as do I- if I don’t I may miss capturing something to share !
Your images today of Alex, Bobby and Sheila underline my point exactly ….. two minutes later that quality of light on Sheila could have been gone.
Have a lovely day.
Dexters are very photogenic, and curious. The G.O.’s cousin has a herd we pass on our walks. I’m the grand-daughter of dairy farmers, and it does my heart good to see cows, as from an early age I’ve had an affection for them.
It is interesting how folks write their posts. We all have designs and ways of crafting to put words and photos out there. I never know how you manage the northern weather. I wasn’t tough enough for it growing up in Nebraska… I always knew I would move south but it was a long (and rather unconventional and unorodox) route to get here. We are expecting a blast of winter again tonight and into the weekend, but nothing near what you’ll deal with. Keep warm if you can… 🙂
Pretty sure that some days my hair looks like Alex’s. Looks good on her, though. lol Love the photo of Queenie’s Bobby today.
Bundle up. It does look like fierce cold – even sinking down this way Sunday and next week.
I love the first and last pictures. Crossing fingers for sun if it must get cold.
A fine day’s photos. Alex is a lovely girl. Sheila looks like she doesn’t so much mind the housekeeping as long as she doesn’t actually have to get out of bed.
Hey Celi. Have you ever seen this type of weather graphic that shows the upper level air masses? http://www.myweather2.com/rh850temp/player.aspx?fc=7 I’ve found it quite useful lately – as in this weird winter we’re having – to see ahead to some of the weather coming. Fascinating to see the ‘blips’ of red bursting out of the Pacific’s El Nino … Seems two such bursts arrive on your doorstep next weekend …?
Alex is a real beauty and I love her teddy bear nose. I have more words in the morning too. xx
Alex has a pretty, fluffy coat. All eyes are on Miss C working in the barn. What a blessing to have above freezing days!
And lovely day to you to .. Fat Bobby sure is handsome 😃