Those aren't llamas!

On my way to work sheep I pass by Pitchfork llama ranch.  I am a "former" llama owner.  In fact, I purchased my llama, Bill Holden from this ranch and that is where I returned him.  LOL

Anyway,

I look in the front pasture and bring my truck to a halt.  Those aren't llamas!  There are about 70 llama in the roadside pasture and more in the hills.  Must be several hundred acres for them to roam.  All of the llamas are named after movie stars.  Gotta love it.

There were 6 or 7 mule deer munching on some dry grass in the front pasture.

Nope, you are definitely NOT a llama :0)

As I walked up the road, all of the mule deer jumped the fence into the pasture where the llamas were grazing.  They are pretty good jumpers, that's for sure.

They took notice at some wet ground, green grass and the llama's watering trough.

I decided to back up my truck.  I found the ranch gate open, so in I drove.  A few of the llamas are starting to take notice that there is something different with this picture.

That's Maurice Chevalier with the spots.  He is pretty old.  See... a couple of the other llamas are making their way towards the deer.

The dark llama is quickening up his step to take a look at the intruders.

Now the ranch hand notices I am there and he comes down with his four wheeler.  He recognizes me and I point to what I am taking photos of.  The deer were a bit spooked by the 4 wheeler.

The deer start towards the hills in an extended dressage trot just floating over the ground.

A few more llama are alerted and are headed towards them.

Then, those that noticed got into a tight group...a huddle, if you may.  A string of about another 20 llamas was slowly heading towards them.

They called an impromptu meeting.

They held their heads high in the air.  Some of them were curling their upper lips.  I asked the ranch hand what he thought they were doing?  He said, "I have never seen them do this.  I think they are going to have a FOOTBALL party."  Hahaha

All in all, it was a pretty interesting sight.  It appeared to me that the llamas were a bit miffed by the new strangers that made themselves at home on their turf.  It was rather silly.

I do like llamas and if I had several hundred acres I'd probably have a dozen llamas and a couple of donkeys and mules along with a herd of goats. :0)

Finally, made it to the ranch this beautiful day.  That is Trip (his 2nd time) on sheep.  I decided to use a small flock.  He did a really nice job.  I think it's important for them to get up close and personal a bit to see exactly what they are working.  Trip lives in the city, so the light bulb is just starting to turn on.

The 2nd time out, he noticed the horses running in the corral next to the sheep and that put him on sensory overload for the morning.  He hadn't seen horses, chickens or goats.  He spent the rest of the morning just trying to become accustomed to the other critters.

Here's bad boy Champ taking advantage of me.  Yep, he for sure is going in Scott's clinic.  I am always unsure of how much pressure is too much or too little, plus, I can't stop him anymore.

Help!

A serene picture on my 15 minute drive home.  I love where I live. :0)