A curly-headed Hereford, anxiously keeping an eye on my hiking team.
On Wednesday, we took a hike around Radnage, one of my favorite places in the Chilterns. Not only are the views spectacular, but the animals along the way are adorable, especially this time of year.
Toward the end of the hike, we were walking up a footpath and someone spotted a friendly cow in the pasture next to us, partially hidden behind the scrubby hedge.
But this cow, a huge Hereford with curly locks on her forehead, seemed eager to pose for my friend, who was the only one of us who'd remembered her camera. I know cows are normally very friendly, so I didn't think anything of it, but then I noticed her udders. They were thick and shiny clean, as if they'd just been suckled.
It occurred to me she might have an ulterior motive for being so cooperative for our photographer. Sure enough, one of our team walked further along the footpath, and spotted the real reason Mrs. Cow was so eager to detain us on our hike. Next to the fence was a newborn calf, lying curled up, waiting for Mummy to come back.
As we all moved in on the calf, her mum issued a warning "moo" and the little thing scrambled to her knees and tried out her legs, eager to reach the comfort of her mom. But my friend caught a shot of her, prancing away. That's when we noticed part of her umbilical cord, still attached.
I don't think I've ever seen such a young calf before. By the time the calves that live in the pasture behind me come out, they're several weeks old and gamboling about like overgrown puppies. This one wasn't quite so sure of the whole walking thing yet.
What struck me was the way her mother waylaid us as we walked up the path. She didn't have to come over to the fence and greet us, and she could have gone up to her calf, but she must have thought that by detaining us she'd keep us from spotting her vulnerable baby. Of course we meant her (him?) no harm, but she didn't know that.
I love cows. They're such great mothers.
(Thanks to my friend for sending me the photos and allowing me to post them. I've never posted photos on Friday Cow Blogging I didn't take, but this time was definitely worth the exception!)
