Sunday walk

The weather has remained warm, it's plus 11 and sunny. It has been like this for two weeks, and the snow is now the consistency of the crushed ice you get in snow cones. They call it rotten snow, though I forget who actually calls it that. Possibly avalanche experts.

On our walk we found the remains of a coyote lunch. We think it was grouse.

We've noticed that absolutely nothing of the bird remains except a few feathers, the coyotes eat ALL the bird, including the beak and claws.

On Saturday, Daytona used his skill in opening gates, practising on the chain lock that holds the gate between the male llama corral and the females' pasture and barn. His prowess let the male llamas in with the females and babies. We're now pretty sure that no open females remain, they are all bred. So much for geographical birth control. We will look forward to more babies, about the end of February 2009. Llama gestation is 11 months, 3 weeks.

Here is that devilishly handsome man Kuzko, who is not likely one of the fathers (he's just not lucky that way). But one day.... one day.... we hope to have his progeny, since he has the most unusual coat. It's thick and woolly like sheep's wool, not so much like llama wool. I'm going to shear him this year and try out his fleece and see what it spins into. He was donated to me by an orphanage down the road. Someone had the good intention of giving him to a childrens' home in the country. Unfortunately, within about a week, the children tired of him, and so did the farmer who was taking care of him, so he and his friend Pacha were brought here. We have our own orphanage, for unwanted animals, and we've taken in about 20 llamas so far. All of my llamas have names, and they all have distinct personalities. In temperament they are similar to cats: they're curious, friendly once they trust you, quite happy to hang out, very social with each other. Pacha helped me build bookshelves in the barn -- he watched every move I made and wasn't phased by the electric sander. He stood behind me with his head over my shoulder to watch.

When a baby is born, the whole clan comes over to greet it and the aunties and uncles are wonderful babysitters. The babies form friendships with their siblings and play lots of games, "king of the castle" being a real favorite. We'll probably have our first baby in April this year. We'll keep you posted.