Monday, December 13, 2010

Curious Crew




Curious Crew - Image c 2010 Lynda Lehmann


A herd of friendly cows out to pasture on a Maine farm, is curious at the presence of passersby.  I got such a kick out of the way they made their way across the field in an orderly cue, and then turned their heads in unison to look at the camera-toting woman on the road.  They struck me as very gentle, curious and sweet, and I think they would have sauntered all the way over to say hello, if it weren't for the electrified fence enclosing their pasture.  By the way they hang together, one can surmise that they must be very social animals.

I remember seeing some calves turned out to pasture one year, on a different farm.  They were playful and exuberant, like children finally busting out of class on a gorgeous afternoon.  Not to cast them with human traits, but to me their innocence seemed very real and palpable. 

It's at times like this when I question how it is that we can eat meat!  I'm not a vegetarian but the idea of consuming these gentle creatures does not sit well with me.

I shot this image in September but when I saw it in my files today, I wanted to share it with you. 


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21 comments:

  1. love how they are all standing in a line for you. they seemed to enjoy posing. hope all is well. have a great day.

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  2. Your photography and creative comments about it are cause to celebrate my return to the blogosphere.
    We live next door to a pasture where cows graze. Right now, they have new calves (seems odd to me in snowy cold Idaho) and it is a delight to watch them gambol.
    I've been away so long. I thought you lived in Maine, not on Long Island?

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  3. Dear Lynda, I am so happy to have seen you on my blog again and I hope very much that everything is going well.
    I love cows very much, their eyes, their character, their composure. Btw - I have long stopped eating animals - I could never again. They too have a soul, emotion, a right to live and we have the responsibility to care for them not kill them...

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  4. NAQUILLITY - They were very orderly, seemed to follow one another almost in a queue. Certainly they seemed endearingly friendly!

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  5. KATHY - It's great to see you after your hiatus. I think many of us have had to take breaks from blogging or just slow it down, as life has a way of taking over. I hope to catch up more, on your news.

    Ooooh, I bet it IS cold in Idaho now. "Gambol" is such a good word for calf behavior--wish I'd thought of it!

    As for Maine, we visit whenever we can, as we love the wild places where nature still reigns.

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  6. PETRA - SO good to see you here and to have found that you posted on your blog. It seems you took a long leave, and I missed you.

    I hope things are going well for you, too. And I look forward to seeing more of your gorgeous textures, patterns, and interiors!

    Please keep me posted of your news!

    I totally agree that animals have feelings, and souls, as well. I feel much greater affinity for and empathy with them than I did years ago. I think as we mature we hopefully become more sensitized to other people and to critters, too.

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  7. Besides them reminding me of Christmas shoppers, my first contact with an electric fence happened whilst on a school retreat (many, many moons ago). Yes, I came in for quite a shock when I touched it. With me cursing and others looking on laughing, I was later made to go to confession for calling out the Lord's name in vain on more than one occasion.

    Take Care,
    Peter

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  8. PETER - LOL, I had the same experience during my college years. We were out cavorting through the Pennsylvania countryside, then mostly farm land, when we stopped in a very rural area to look at the cows. In spite of the wires and electric fittings on the fence, I managed to step very close and touch it!

    I felt electrified, as my body turned to rubber or putty, and I remember my shock and surprise as I gained my composure to step back, away from the fence.

    I was even more surprised to walk away unscathed. And I was SO embarrassed at my own stupidity!

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  9. Lynda I am so glad you were searching though your files and shared these. They do look sweet but I sure do love a good steak too.

    I have some cow pictures too but could never make posting them as interesting as you just did!

    I am so glad you are back also!
    Jackie:-)

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  10. A lovely herd of cattle - great capture Lynda.
    Cattle are indeed very sociable and very curious about we humans. My brother has a couple hundred head of cattle which are close to the yard in winter where they can get water. It is neat to watch their interactions.
    I am vegan having given up meat and animal products 20 some years ago for the very reason you describe as well as a few philosophical ones.

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  11. Lynda lol when I saw this title in the google reader I thought I will see man working in the forest chopping wood, boy I was wrong, lol. Cows are interesting creatures, I always encounter the same, the always watch me when I photograph them.

    Lynda another great year passed, and me and you we are still here :). I want to thank you for another great year of blogging. Wish you a happy holiday season filled with lots of love and peace. Let it also be healthy. Take care my friend, and lots of hugs from Matthew.

    Thanks again for all your lovely comments on my blog. They are always appreciated, even though I stopped responding due to the time constraints.

    Happy holiday season again!
    Anna :)

    PS I forgot, images are really cool!

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  12. ANNA - Yes, we are still here, blogging and meeting nice people along the way.

    The feeling is mutual Anna; I very much appreciate your friendship and presence in my little part of the Blogosphere!

    And to you too, I wish many smiles and warm feelings this holiday season, with Matthew and the rest of your family. And no more colds or flu until at least NEXT December!

    Just think, Matthew will be starting school before you know it!

    Hugs to you and your son!

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  13. It's beautiful Lynda! Just lovely! And it looks a bit warmer then it feels today too!

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  14. Hi! I'm doing my Christmas rounds before Santa arrives. Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

    Take Care,
    Peter

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  15. Cows are such peaceful animals. I've always admired them. Do you know the passage in Whitman's "Song Of Myself" that begins "I think I could turn and live with animals..." It's one of my favorites in all literature.

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  16. Tangled Stitch - Well, it's FREEZING here today--we've had a horrible December--and I have the flu! So I'd love to be walking on green grass in the warmth of the summer sun, right about now!

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  17. PETER - Thanks so much for your good wishes at this holiday season, and of course, I wish the best for you and your family!

    Now tell me, since my memory is half gone, will this be the baby's first Christmas? I can't remember whether she is just over or under a year old....???

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  18. nothingprofound- I don't know it offhand, yet it rings a distant bell. I do have a volume of Whitman on hand, and I know read "Song of Myself" decades ago. So I'll have to look for it.

    I did pick up a volume of Emerson's writings lately and absolutely loved what I read. I guess life has engendered some level of maturity in me (lol) whereby I appreciate words of wisdom SO much more than I did in high school.

    I would like to read both authors again but alas, I'm not fast enough to do all the things I want to do. Love those romantics and transcendentalists...

    n.p., I hope you have a joyous and fulfilling holiday with people you love!

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  19. Hi! Emmi was born Sep 2009. This Christmas will be the first one where she will be expecting heaps!

    Take Care,
    Peter

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  20. Peter - She'll be wide-eyed and excited! I know her stocking will be full of goodies. Post a photo or two, if you have time!

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  21. After you visited my blog and posted about my photo of cows and poem, I had to come by and see your cow entry as well. How wonderful that we shared a common sentiment and chose to write about the beauty these wonderful creatures exhibit.

    I've quite enjoyed visiting your site, viewing your photos and reading your thoughts that accompany them. I will endeavor to come by often.

    [PhotoDiction]

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