Cleo is a sweet baby! Queenie allows Alan and I to touch Cleo, but watches us to make sure we don't do anything to harm her baby.
Today I was able to rub Cleo all over, including her cute little belly! So far, she's a LOT friendlier than Dixie Cup, which isn't hard to do since Cup is WILD and CRAZY. (Cup is 16 days old now, if you can believe it!)
Cleo spent most of today napping in the sunshine while Queenie snacked on grass and hay. It was pretty hot here (low 90s), so napping in the sunshine wasn't hard to do. I took these photos this evening as the setting sun's rays were starting to be filtered by the haze from the humidity.
Queenie stood nearby while I snapped the photos, and occasionally checked on Cleo (usually putting slobber on her head).
Queenie is proving to be a good mother. It's unfortunate she lost her calf last year and didn't have the opportunity to raise her first born. She's very attentive, and quietly moos at Cleo throughout the day. I think things are going just perfectly!
Here's are two photos I took yesterday evening, when Cleo was just a few hours old. She was still pretty wobbly on her feet, but I'm still amazed at how quickly she was up and at 'um!
I'm in a photography group and there are personal photo assignments that we're issued topics for. The last topic was Fine Art (remember my rooster photo?). The new topic is "Relationship". I think this will be a great topic for me, especially with all of the new babies on the farm!
I can't believe we have two MORE cows expecting as well! Princess is due next, followed by Pixie later on. It's so exciting!!
Princess delivered a bull calf last spring (named Ribeye). We're crossing our fingers and toes that she delivers a heifer this year.
Princess is a BEAUTIFUL cow, and we hope all of her babies are as pretty as she is.
I have been thoroughly enjoying the photo's of all the beautiful friends on the farm! What a cool bunch of photo's especially the live birth! Woohoo! Thanks for sharing!
Feel free to visit my blog! You'll have to dig for stampy stuff....alot of fun life stuff happening I wrote about!
Posted by: Tilda | May 13, 2008 at 03:37 PM
Hello, your photos of this new little one are wonderful. Thank you for sharing your wonderful story!
Posted by: Tammie | May 12, 2008 at 10:59 PM
Anna, love all these updates! I just had my husband and daughter in here to look at your farm family. So cool, I didn't know about cows not liking to be touched much. Have fun with all those babies! Thanks for the pics...
Posted by: paula | May 12, 2008 at 04:14 PM
Cleo is a cutie!
How is Dixie's udder doing?
Posted by: Jennifer (jkincolorado) | May 12, 2008 at 08:42 AM
Great pictures! What a fabulous experience each season! I would not do well as this for a business, I would get just too darn attached to them all! Happy Mother's Day!
Deb
Posted by: Deborah Golan | May 11, 2008 at 09:02 PM
She is a sweet calf, but then all baby animals are that way. I look at the picture of her sleeping and it just makes me smile. Congrats on the new addition. Love the name Cleo!
Posted by: Laurie H | May 11, 2008 at 06:11 PM
Love, love, love the video! Alan sure has a strong accent, doesn't he? :) Can't wait to show the boys this video. Thanks!
Posted by: Shala | May 11, 2008 at 02:49 PM
Great pictures and video ~ thanks for sharing this special moment and a Happy Mother's Day to Queenie!
Posted by: Nancy | May 11, 2008 at 02:38 PM
What a SWEET baby!!! Looks like Mom and baby are totally bonded.
Posted by: joyk | May 11, 2008 at 01:55 PM
Oh Anna, you photo's are wonderful. What a beautiful calf Cleo is. Look at the expression on Queenie's face. If that isn't just love in motion I don't know what is. I agree with your FIL! Touch says so much whether to animal or human. Trust is such a huge factor. Give each of your precious animals a tickle from me.
Posted by: Barb Hardeman | May 11, 2008 at 01:28 PM
The "trust factor" is what makes a ranchers day easier. That means that you treat each with respect, compasion and translated to animal husbandry means "touch" touch the young and touch them as young as possible, and as often as possible. Whether it's a cat or a cow, chicken or dog that compassion is building trust and the ability to handle each with safety, when raising larger animals with a great amount of personal strength that trust is very important. So, Rub that tummy and scratch that itch, and hand feed those "cookies".
Those babies can grow up to be really big and fast even without horns. Have a great Mothers Day! Love, Dad
Posted by: DK Wight | May 11, 2008 at 10:06 AM
Cleo is beautfiul. LOVE the first picture you posted above...the sun shining so gently on her precious face. LOVE IT !
Posted by: Tracye | May 11, 2008 at 09:52 AM
Great pictures, Anna!! I know you're the photographer in the family, but I agree with the above poster ~~ how about some pics if you with some of these wonderful animals?? Happy Mother's Day to you!!
Posted by: Michelle (milwaukeemommy) | May 11, 2008 at 09:18 AM
It looks like you'll be celebrating Mother's MONTH at your farm! LOL Congrats on Cleo's arrival and TFS all your amazing and beautiful photos! Enjoy your special day!
Posted by: Carol | May 11, 2008 at 08:15 AM
Awwww, what a wonderful Mother's Day for Queenie! Thank you for sharing all these new babies with us, Anna. And Happy Mother's Day to you too. Linda
Posted by: Linda Bullard | May 11, 2008 at 08:09 AM
Cleo is so adorable and I love her name. Queenie looks so attentive and I rejoice in her being able to be a Mom again. It is amazing to me how animals can have such strong emotions. We don't often think of them as being able to grieve and we sometimes assume that being protective over their young is instinctive. While some of that comes into play, I have witnessed other emotions that are more of the personality of the animal. She obviously adores you and Alan or she would not have let you love on her baby! (Can we have some pictures of you rubbing on Cleo's belly? I have never seen that happen). Congratulations to one and all! Hugs!, Janet
Posted by: janetwmarks | May 11, 2008 at 07:10 AM
These photos would represent a relationship so beautifully. I loved the video of her being born.
Posted by: Susy | May 10, 2008 at 09:31 PM