Another bull joins the neighborhood

Big Girl number two has had her calf: a bull. Like his mother, but at three days young, he stares at the photographer.

My neighbor told me that the mom-to-be walked into a modest metal out-building, had the calf, went outside and not long thereafter the young’in followed: normal post-partum details are omitted.

This happened about 6 a.m. on the morning of Wednesday the 24th of February.

Now Ernie and I have as neighbor’s two sister-like cows each with calf’s a few weeks old.

You should see how the foursome conducts themselves. They act like a thoroughly modern reality show: two females, each with a baby and no sight of Dads.

However, there is a deviation from that norm: I have been very friendly observing and interacting with them for the last couple of years.  I wouldn’t say I’m at the Jane Goodall level, but they are a hoot.

For example here is an image of BG 2 in her wild bachelorette days.

 

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Don’t get the impression that she has toned down who she is because of motherhood.

Nope. She still dominates her farm-sister who continues to step aside in deference as I offer a handful of fresh, luscious grass. Let’s be blunt: Big Girl 2 does have an effective icy stare of intimidation.

Here’s one more observation.

Last evening about 6 p.m. from behind trees across the road coyotes were howling their blood curdling ritual.

Facing that direction and hearing the screams and squeals each cow and calf turned and headed for the safety of the collection of buildings nearby.

In stark contrast, months ago when confronted directly with a coyote just feet away, tough looking father and son goat rams casually turned and walked away disinterestedly. They left two females and twin kids to fend for themselves. [The nosey neighbor then scared off the coyote with a few rounds of persuasion.]

Ernie hasn’t missed an opportunity for lessons learned either, although I wouldn’t necessarily encourage the one he has adopted: eating grass.

Well, he is a vegan after all.

 

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