Country peace and quiet

Posted by jamesy (christchurch, New Zealand) on 8 October 2008 in Landscape & Rural.

I'm back having had a couple of days out in the country Thanks to all who commented on my photos while I was gone. A couple of people are curious to know what tailing lambs means. Well its not putting tails onto lambs but the opposite getting them off. Some farmers cut them off with a hot iron. But my sister and brother in law ring their lambs tails. The whole process involves between 3 and 8 people depending on speed and numbers of lambs. You pen all the ewes and lambs then draft the lambs of into a spereate pen. Then two people lift the lambs. They get the full treatment. A vit B12 injection, their tails ringed, their ears marked (clipped) and their bums sprayed against fly strike. Its not a nice process it involves lots of bodily functions and blood from the ears being clipped but however it is strangely satisfying for me (not the poor lambs)

One of the fantastic views from my sisters house at Russells Flat in Canterbury. They run over 2000 sheep and crop farm as well

I really enjoy taking photos and would appreciate your feedback so that I can learn as I go. I particularly enjoy photographing birds animals and landscapes

Comments (26)

Zygène from morlaix, France

Je trouve le cadrage de toute beauté avec de jolies couleurs vertes.

8 Oct 2008 5:27am

@Zygène: Merci beaucoup

dj.tigersprout from San Bruno, CA, United States

welcome back Deb! :) thanks for the in-depth description on lamb tailing! sounds like quite tiring physical labor -- but also rewarding too! a wonderful pastoral scene here -- beautiful light and it seems so peaceful! just perfect for a relaxing long weekend, marvelous!

8 Oct 2008 5:28am

@dj.tigersprout: Thanks DJ the weather here has been so unsttled out in the country so came back early never mind more time to catch up on Am3. It is a very peaceful place out there we all really enjoy it My 15yr old osn wants to leave school and go farming. However he wasn't quite so keen when it started raining today

Margie from Auckland, New Zealand

Hey this is very rural NZ. Love it! Great description of the mystifying process of "tailing lambs". Isn't it weird how there's some things you just know, even if you're a city slicker like me. We must absorb it by osmosis or something!

8 Oct 2008 5:32am

@Margie: Thanks Margie. I think tailing lambs must be a NZ saying as a few of the overseas people didn't quite understand what I was doing

Kylie Greenan from Richmond, Australia

hmmm NZ sheep :o) sorry couldn't help myself ;) This is BEAUTIFUL Deb, I can't beleive how green the grass is, I could spend weeks in a place like this, I feel relaxed just looking at this image, well done, a really wonderful image and superb composition!!

8 Oct 2008 5:43am

@Kylie Greenan: Can always rely on Aussies to say it like it is and not just one of you either that Fliss well shes just as bad. LOL this is just a beautiful spot Will post some more photos from out there soon. Now off to chase the cat for Caturday.

Fliss from Melbourne Beach, United States

Had to laugh over Kylie's comment... hehehe... sorry but it was there NZ - Sheep thing... hehehe... still... gorgeous shot... love it..

8 Oct 2008 5:52am

@Fliss: You Aussis I don't know two in a row it shouldn't be allowed LOL Thanks for the comments its good to know that trans-tasman rivalry transcends cyberspace and world destinations hehehe

dobbino from Cape Town, South Africa

Beautifully composed tranquil shot. It really does look like a dream place to spend some time. Don't recognise what that smallish steel structure is in the foreground?

8 Oct 2008 6:31am

@dobbino: Thanks it is a great place. The steel structure is just some type of farm rubbish I don't know what it is Its not used for anything

Linerberry from Sumner, Christchurch, New Zealand

I never knew you had farming blood in you Debs LOL. A wonderful image here D....the land looks so green and lush, but then it should be after all the rain we had this winter:-) We still meeting at yours on Fri?

8 Oct 2008 6:39am

@Linerberry: Yep Liners as far as I know its still on Will be good to catch up. Thanks for the comments about the photo its a great place to unwind

Saeed from Tehran, Iran

interesting place & good view :)

8 Oct 2008 8:28am

@Saeed: thanks for the comments Saeed

Maxine from Rangiora, New Zealand

The steel structure is an upside down hay rack. you put the hay bales in it and the cattle can pull the hay out to eat it. Neat shot D,Looks like a good farm!

8 Oct 2008 8:39am

@Maxine: Thanks Max I'm pleased you know what it is I didn't have a clue. It is a good farm.

Veronelle from Lens, France

superb landscape

8 Oct 2008 9:24am

@Veronelle: thanks

MaryP from Aberdeenshire, United Kingdom

Love this imge. Love anything to do with farming and the countryside. Beautiful and tranquil scene.Nicely taken.

8 Oct 2008 11:18am

@MaryP: Thanks very much Mary will have a few more images to come

Sylvain from France

Un cadre idéal pour la tranquillité.
J'aime bien tout ce vert.
Bonne journée.

8 Oct 2008 1:15pm

@Sylvain: Merci beaucoup. C'est une ferme tranquille

Stunner from Kingston, Jamaica

Beautiful and peaceful image!

8 Oct 2008 2:26pm

@Stunner: thanks

leslie from norwich, United Kingdom

Great shot - could well have been shot here in the UK in the spring..

8 Oct 2008 3:23pm

@leslie: Thanks Leslie the countries do seem to have alot of similarities don't they

Alun Lambert from cheshire, United Kingdom

very nice, you cant beet sme peace and quiet

8 Oct 2008 4:10pm

@Alun Lambert: How very true

Mary from Aberdeenshire, United Kingdom

Lovely green image, i agree with Leslie it looks very like home.

8 Oct 2008 5:39pm

@Mary: I agree particularily some of your photos of Scotland always remind me of NZ

Jeff from Pembroke Dock, United Kingdom

Smashing shot Jamesy, it looks three dimensional...Being the taff that I am,the one on the right is a little cracker. ;>))

8 Oct 2008 6:22pm

@Jeff: Thanks Jeff Christmas dinner do you think?

Anthony from Bielefeld, Germany

All that work and the little Lambsies are heading for the chop anyway !!

8 Oct 2008 6:54pm

@Anthony: Yes but they will be fatter and healthier.

Graham Russon from Cape Town, South Africa

Tailing lambs, how fascinating. Thanks for this remarkable insight. I really like the colours and composition of this shot, you've captured a tranquil and peaceful scene. Great work.

8 Oct 2008 7:11pm

@Graham Russon: Thanks Graham now when a Kiwi is tailing lambs you will know what they mean

willow from chelsea, United States

thanks for the description - EEEEWWWW!!!! This is abeautiful photo, though - I love the branch on the left - it adds depth and distance to the image. Looks like a beautiful place. And, yes, my photo today is my youngest, Ben.

8 Oct 2008 8:06pm

@willow: thought you might enjoy the descriiption. It is a beautiful place

JJ from Jersey City, United States

reminds me so much of the vacations we used to have when I was young to an uncles farm, where we used to help with all the farm chores including lambing, what a wonderful view, thanks for sharing

8 Oct 2008 9:04pm

@JJ: thanks JJ

Charles from New York, United States

Looks very peaceful...

9 Oct 2008 1:04am

@Charles: It is Charles well away from the hustle and bustle of city life

Elisa from Massachusetts, United States

that's interesting!! great composition!!

9 Oct 2008 1:51am

@Elisa: thanks Elisa

One from Açores, Portugal

A beautiful image, superb composition, a fabulous place that inspires peace and tranquility.

9 Oct 2008 2:33am

@One: thanks very much I love it out there

April from Iloilo City, Philippines

wow! stunning view and image. this is a great shot of New Zealand. i love the greenery here. great shot!

10 Oct 2008 3:13am

Anita from West Nottingham, United States

This is a nice image of the farm. I like the horizontal lines, interrupted by vertical, horizontal and curwing lines. Peaceful look, but, for the farmers, a lot of work.