Central Plateau, North Island

Central Plateau, North Island
View from a friend's farm

Monday 7 January 2013

Brown Girls waiting

 

Today Hugh and I went on a drive to the Pohangina Valley, North of Palmerston North, and not far from the foothills of the Ruahine Range.

We passed one set of cattle yards, vehicles waiting. I asked if I could take some photos of the cattle, and after a few minutes, was told this was the day for

THE  EMBRYO    TRANSFERS.

If I would like to wait, I could watch!!! Wow, what an opportunity of a lifetime. But the embryos were not arriving for some hours,  so we continued on our way. Many thanks to the farmer who made such  a very generous offer to a total stranger.

Meantime Lachlan was giving me the information on the cows, the breed, and he decided he was saving up for one special Angus cow. Lucky girl, she will be such an asset to his herd,  he has all the knowledge and enthusiasm needed to be a farmer in years to come!!!

I am sure he had taken  her photo, to identify her later, as he gave me great details about her colouring, and height, maybe even her weight,  compared to the others.

Lachlan, with camera

Working men’s boots and sandals, depending if you are actually in the yards with the cattle,  or standing on the rails, watching all goings on.

Working men's boots, and sandals

Girls waiting, a lot of noise,  standing quietly in the shade.

Girls waiting

The Pohangina River, and farmland from higher up.  A cloudy day, and not too hot to be outside, although I needed a hat.

Pohangina  River Pohangina  Valley farmland

The other night, Hugh called me, NO, he was OK, but there was sunlight on the pine tree across the stream. This was taken from our back door, ISO 400, 1/60 sec.  Seconds later, the colour had gone to a dull brown, and darkness was soon to follow.

afternoon sun on the pine tree

Quotation of the day, author unknown, but from many years ago…

“ Country fences need to  be horse high,

sheep proof, and bull strong”

Greetings from Jean

17 comments:

June said...

Wow, what a beautiful shot of the sun on the tree. You really have to be ready for that right moment in photography, don't you? and look, it matches the sand at Bayleys Beach. Regards from June

Nancy J said...

Yes June, matching colours, and for such a fleeting moment.Nature is dramatic, but fickle, and to be there at the right time is magic. Hope all is well with you. Cheers from Jean

Janet said...

Gorgeous photos! I love the Pohangina River one especially. It would have been super cool to see they embryo process. Too bad you couldn't have arrived just as it was starting!

Nancy J said...

Hi Janet, the whole process, when I Googled it, was very technical, and something I didn't even know was done.I was quite sad that it wasn't happening right then, as I would have been able to take photos too!!! Wow, imagine that, beyond my dreams ever. I walked through lots of sandy tracks to find a spot where I could get to the water's edge, lovely spot and a nice camping ground there too. Can you see Hugh's mind ticking over about that option another time? Tent, sleeping bags, gas stove and more!! Cheers from Jean.

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

That is one stunning photo of the sunlight on the tree. WOW.

Too bad you had to miss the embryo transfers.

Your countryside is very beautiful.

Have a great week ~ FlowerLady

Susan Heather said...

What a wonderful shot. Very strong, dry winds here last night.

Nancy J said...

Yes, I had a few seconds to get the tree shining in very late afternoon sun.Just the luck of the draw if I can be there at the right time. Susan, almost gale winds here all night and again this morning. Metservice forecasts gusts all day. Cheers from Jean.

Lindsjö taxar said...

Wonderful pictures....I really miss that time of year you have...but in couple of moths its going to be green again

Nancy J said...

Hi Lindsjo, I look at your snow, and wish we had that in our winter at our place, we would need to live much further south to have that, apart from the high mountain areas. Yesterday some paddocks were quite brown, not enough rain, and too much wind that dries it out so fast. Lots of wind here today!! Cheers from Jean

Eggs In My Pocket said...

Such a lovely tree and a great looking herd! The embryo transfers sounds interesting. Love your quotation of the day!

Jim said...

Jean that last photo is ON FIRE! What a great 'catch' that was! Let's hear it for Hugh!! Hip hip......
Imagine, you missed the embryo transplants!! Is that what they do now? I am such a city-slicker and haven't kept up with the latest cattle impregnation techniques.
Beautiful cattle and countryside you have!!

Barb said...

That tree is a celebration - glad Hugh called you! I loved the cattle drive and beautiful countryside - can't believe you didn't stay for the embryo transfer!

Nancy J said...

Yes, Hugh did well to call me, and embryo transfers, well, the farmer did say he could not give me a time when it would happen, it might be one,two or three hours later.. I too had no idea about any of this new procedure. AI or artificial insemination has been here for many years, but this, it is very expensive, not always a 100% success rate, the poor cow has to be on heat, if not this can/ or has to be induced??? So I am left wondering what will be in the meat food chain the next time round? Artificial hormones, calves made by genetic choice?Bulls in a paddock will very soon be a sight from the past.Poor guy, I almost feel sorry for him, knowing what happens after looking on Google!!! Enough knowledge for a public site... Cheers from Jean. and thank you, everyone for lovely comments.

Here I Am Carrie said...

What a delightful day you both must have had. I love your photos you took. Especially the guys shoes. LOL Amazing the light you captured on that pine. Well by the end of the week we will have over 2 feet of snow. I haven't been out much since Cole the dog went home. Been trying to get ready for the trip south. So many little details as we close everything down in the house even the fridge. So I always slowly reduce stock there till the day we leave what left fits into a cooler. Everything has to be left clean as well. Only another 5 days and we will make our last trip out. Yes our dirt road is plowed as well as the highway. However we have to plow our driveway which is almost a half mile. I have doing late nights at the computer trying to get my last visits in and take care of business. Well I finally got my lens on my camera unstuck with air from a can as debris was in there, but I also must have blow some into the lens area so now have blotch inside. Now using only my really old camera. I have to get a new camera for sure now. You and Hugh have a wonderful summer and take care. Well 3 months ahead of detox from the internet. But I do enjoy the social life down there, which I don't have so much here as we live so far out. Take care Hugs Carrie

Nancy J said...

Carrie, do you have snail mail down south? Or a phone? txt? no blog!!! 3 months, I struggle to manage 3 weeks when we go camping. I can post you news, if you email me an address etc. Do you have to empty the water pipes/ toilet cistern? and do you take one vehicle? Guess it will be a 4WD for sure.The guys had a great sense of humour, as when I asked if I could take a photo, they said how much would I want to pay!! Then they asked how much anyone pays me to see it on my blog!! So I left them one of my small cards I have printed off, with blog name and internet details etc. We all had a good laugh, and I was really sorry not to see it all happen.I do hope they look and see the boots,Lachlan, ( a bright mind full of all useful information about Angus cattle and more) and the girls.Take care Carrie on that long trip south, will "talk" before you leave. Thanks for lovely words. cheers from Jean

Gayle said...

That is an absolutely beautiful tree!

Nancy J said...

Gayle, a Pinus Radiata, originally from California, probably shipped to NZ in pots with the settlers from England, Grown for shelter belts, and then for timber use, It is fast growing, has pine cones that burn so well in a fire, throwing out sparks and colours as they glow. The photo was a stroke of luck, just those few seconds of colour, then all faded to green,grey, and darkness. Cheers from Jean.