I've let the sheep rotate themselves this year rather than set a rotational grazing map.*** I did that because during the winter when all the fields are open to them, they seem to do a better job not over grazing one area. I decided to see what would happen if I left it to them for the spring and summer.
I know they've been happier. The grass has been happier. Their eye scores (I check the color of their eyes for anemia from parasites) have been as good or better than any other year. I've also really enjoyed watching where they go and when.
Yesterday evening they decided to graze the side field and as I headed to the house, I was glad I had my camera handy. I love little snippets of the day.
So the rule is make sure your foreground is in focus. This is a little distracting, I agree.
This is pretty, too, even with the sheeps blurred out. Which do you prefer?
Why didn't I make everything in focus? There's a lot going on in these pictures and if everything was in focus it would be too busy I think. If I get the opportunity to capture this again, I'll do one like that though, just to make sure. But who knows where the sheep will be tonight :-).
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***This goes against ALL recommendations for sheep parasite prevention, so DO NOT take this as any sort of recommendation. It was just an experiment I ran here this year. We do not have a normal flock, as we are raising a small(ish) flock for fiber, not breeding for lambs...
16 comments:
I think it depends on which you enjoy more flowers or sheep...in this instance you were taking about the sheep so I like them in focus...good for the sheeps rotating the grazing themselves...smart sheeps you have:)
Ahh--I really like both photos--I love the first one with the sheep in the pasture--just lovely--
but I also really like the second one with those pretty flowers as the main point--so just keep 'shooting'--
have a great week end-
smiles, di
I like both photos equally well, and agree that one with EVERYthing in focus would be too busy. Interesting to hear about the self-guided rotation!
I prefer the first picture.
Our horses have access to the entire fenced in area and it works much better that way. Not one area has been over grazed.
I am drawn to the first one ~ the field of sheep are "framed" perfectly :-) Very nice!
BTW, your pastures and lawn are so green and pretty ~manicured.
Good thought on everything being in focus may make it seem too busy. Wonder how I can employ that concept when merchandising my shop. Thanks for thinking:-)
I like both. My eyes have been rather "soft focus" since I was 11. Even with LASIK, they present the world to me like the second photo.
I prefer the first photo with the sheep in focus. Your lawn is so beautifully green it looks like Spring (if only, our first frost is expected for tonight). Happy sheep to have open plan grazing.
Your fall is our spring I do believe.
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
"We do not have a normal flock"...this cracked me up.
But, but, but....I want to take your advice on all things sheep :)
I guess if you have sheep who naturally prefer longer grass and dryer ground, and enough pasture for them to chose from, they might just be able to minimize their contact with parasites on their own. Oh, and if all of the fields are equally close to the barn. And water. And shade. Hmmm. Maybe you have the perfect farm? And why would this surprise us? :)
I prefer the first pic too.
And by the way, did I read this right? "...during the winter... they do a better job not overgrazing." ?? You have fields for grazing in the winter? That's one more point for KY ... just saying.
Yes, there is enough that they go out and forage several times a day. They might have to walk back to the farther areas though ;-). I'm not sure what I'd do if I just had to lock them in the barn all winter. I have friends who have to do that. We are lucky.
Well, that's my gamble. However, the majority of our flock is older and more resistant and also aren't stressed by breeding or raising lambs which also helps them be more resistant. I watch my lambs extra close and my old guys, but so far...knocking on my head...
I enjoy the sheep focus the best both because it looks at the sheep but also because it is non-traditional!
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