Pretty Cows
One of our neighbors has a very pretty herd of cattle. I know farmers don’t want their cattle to be thought of as pretty, but I can’t think of any other adjective that fits this herd.
They’re a mix of Charolais (the white ones) and possibly either Red Angus or Limousin (the reddish and tan ones).
The majority of cattle in our area are Black Angus, including ours, so it’s a eye catcher to see this herd. And look how cute the calves are.
While we were visiting, they were gracious enough to demonstrate one of the ways cattle combat flies. On humid summer days, flies around here can be very pesky, so cattle graze in tight groups with their sides touching so there is less exposed skin to bite, and they can share the benefits of all their tail swishing.
It may appear strange to us humans passing by a large pasture with a herd of cattle all in a bunch like they don’t have enough room, but for them fighting flies is a group effort.
And it’s a pretty effective effort too.
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They are very pretty ladies! I feel bad for my two with the flies in the summer, but they hate to be sprayed. If I could ever catch MJ to spray, I’d give his tail an extra shot so he’d keep spreading it on his back.
Animals can be so stubborn some times especially when we are trying to help them. Oh well. All we can do is our best.
After living on a farm all my life, I never knew that cows crowded together for fly bite prevention. Though, in my defense, we’ve never had cattle on our farm.
Love your blog, Suzanne.
I didn’t either until I asked Harland, the cow whisperer. 🙂
Thank you Ruth!
Those are indeed beautiful cows and that late afternoon light just makes them glow. Perfect time of day for that shot. I love that late afternoon golden glow that spills over the earth.
Me too, the best light of the day.
Beautiful cows and beautiful photos. I was brought up on a farm and we only had 8 to 10 milk cows but, I loved them all – except one – old lady “Strawberry”. She could even give you dirty looks!! And being the teenager I was, I never knew about the fly thing either. Just thought they liked hanging out together.
We had an evil cow like that too. So we fattened her up and have been enjoying her steaks for the last year or so. 😉
The things you learn on this website……
I would have driven by and said ‘whole big pasture out there and those silly cows are up on each other’. But now I’ll say, they are helping each other beat the flies and I’ll sound smart 🙂
Beautiful cows indeed!
Thanks Julie. That’s what I’m here for, to further the cow education everywhere. 🙂
They truly are beautiful, your photos help with that also the setting is amazing and the freedom the cows have aid greatly in their beauty.
Our neighbor does have a very pretty pasture for his cattle. Love driving past there.
Yes, they are beautiful.
And they all look remarkably well tempered too. Don’t know how he does it.
Those cows are pretty!
I never knew they stood together against flies!
Very interesting. Thanks.
You’re welcome, thanks Kelly!
I like the hairdo on the last one. Cute!
She had just come from the beauty parlor. 😉
They are pretty! They look like blondes and strawberry blondes all dolled up! The calves just made me laugh they are so looking guilty like they have done something they are hiding. Glenda, you are right that is a great do on the last one. I may be a city girl now but growing up in Montana I would see them all standing with every other one facing the opposite direction so they could swish their neighbors faces, REALLY! It was the oddest thing but they aren’t stupid after all.
You’re right Tina, I knew there was something about those calves, but I couldn’t put my finger on it. They DO look guilty. Tee hee.
I love this herd. They are pretty. In Kentucky the pastures are filled with crosses like this. I love color and how they stand out. Charlais are a great beef breed. Very expensive though. In KY, alot of people have crossed with them too. Leigh Majors, the guy from “Million Dollar Man”, the TV show has a mansion there and has fields of reg. Charlais. Just beautiful to see them there.
On our travels I’ve seen fields of Charlais too, and it’s an amazing sight. Beautiful animals. Didn’t know that Lee Majors had cattle. I’ll be darned.
They’re absolutely gorgeous. I love the tufts of hair on their heads. You picked a perfect time of day to photograph them… they’re lovely in the soft light.
And – I learned something new – smart cows standing close together like that to combat the flies. Your last photo is perfect. 🙂
Do your “boys” stand nose to tail like horses to combat the flies? Or do you have flies? Thanks Justina
Oh my goodness! They are beautiful!!! I love the photo of them all in a line! If I had seen them doing that, I would have never guessed it was to help keep the flies off! You are always teaching me girl!! Love it!
You’re welcome! Thanks!