Tuesday 7 June 2011

An answer to the pale cow question.

The pale fawn cow a couple of posts ago is a Simmental - apparently they are good milkers and often included in 'black and white' herds - it seemed to be keeping apart from them. And funnily enough another neighbouring farmer has one brown and white cow in his black and white herd and when I passed earlier today she was completely away from the rest of the herd. All of which leads me to wonder whether cows can differentiate between colours?

As the farmer and I came down the lane at nine o'clock this morning, a barn owl was hovering and searching in the small field at the side of the lane, pouncing and flying up with a small rodent. I was astonished to see it hunting in broad daylight - maybe a necessary thing to do with babies to feed - I do hope so as so many died in the bad winter.

Other news - a brood mare and her half-grown foal (racehorses from a nearby racing stable) have appeared in the field near to the farm. As usual they are totally aloof and will not come anywhere near humans. I hope to get a photograph for you one day soon.

7 comments:

Heather said...

How wonderful to see a barn owl Pat. Hopefully it is a good sign if the owl is hunting during the day and I hope their young grow up safely. It is strange that there should be colour prejudice among cattle, and snobbery among horses!

Titus said...

I love aloof horses! Thoroughbreds indeed.

MorningAJ said...

Never heard of simmental cows. I've learned something!

Cloudia said...

LOVED this little visit to your 'shire.'


Aloha from Waikiki :)

Comfort Spiral

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Eryl said...

You are my link to the country. You make it feel so much more interesting that it looks from my window, I've always needed to be shown and you are showing me how to appreciate my surroundings. Thank you.

Simmental makes me think of spiced cake, goodness knows why.

angryparsnip said...

I wonder why the Simmental is included in the herd ?
Is it an old wives tale, like add this pale cow and the whole herd will give more milk ?
I wonder does she feel lonely being the only pale one. Do the other cows shun her ? Why not two pale cows ?

See what happens when you write such interesting post for us city folk to read !

I so enjoy your posts.

cheers, parsnip

The Weaver of Grass said...

Thank you for the comments.