We started out early... ready, willing and able to help with shearing day at the Sunrise Ranch. I hitched up my jeans and headed on into the fray of fur, fun and gittin' dirty.
Deb hangs onto the first of the pretties and Scott the shearer stands nearby. After we do a bit of wrangling the animal is sheared, toenails clipped and teeth checked.
This little one had a pretty saddle of deep and soft fur, which we took away to shirt and save for future yarn. Scott, the most excellent shearer, adeptly shears her back, legs, neck and face with tender loving care.
After shearing the alpaca check each other out, as everyone looks different (clean and shaved)! Later that night, it was cold enough to wrap everyone in a quilted or fleece coat.
The day started with many hardy helping hands but, as time goes on people have other obligations, which means.... near the end when the big llama are left to do, only a few of us were around to do the work.
Thusly, the photographers were ask to step in. Even though the videographer had to work hard to keep the animal in place, he still had a smile on his face. Smith is also there to wrangle the big llama as they readied him for shearing.
After a hard days work we head in for a drink (or two) and some relaxation time. Despite the hard work, or because of it, we have a good time. Jim and Deb are the best hosts, as they feed us and make sure we're warm and happy. Sadly, there always comes the time we must take our leave...
As we walked out the door a rainbow greeted us. Not a person in our group had seen such a low lying rainbow. It was a good sign after a great day of hard work and fun!
What a fun and productive day! That rainbow is cool -- there was some sort of rainbow-ish aura spotted a little higher in the sky in these parts last week. Beautiful!
Posted by: Vicki | June 01, 2011 at 10:00 AM
We had a few sheep when our boys were youngsters and they (the sheep not the boys!) looked just as skinny and funny as the alpacas do after getting a haircut!
Posted by: Marilyn | June 01, 2011 at 10:12 AM
Any aches or pains on the day after shearing?!
That rainbow is really cool - I've never seen anything like it!
Posted by: Chris | June 01, 2011 at 10:32 AM
Wow! Looks like a lot of hard work and fun!
Posted by: Stephie | June 01, 2011 at 11:11 AM
Oh, those poor little nekkid things! Makes me want to wrap them all up in a nice warm afghan!
Posted by: Elaine | June 01, 2011 at 11:17 AM
What a fun day and indeed I've never seen a low-lying rainbow before either!
Posted by: Manise | June 01, 2011 at 11:19 AM
A lot of work and a lot of fun all at the same time makes for a great day!
Posted by: Carole | June 01, 2011 at 11:50 AM
What a wonderful day!
Posted by: Julia | June 01, 2011 at 01:21 PM
What a wonderful post. Sounds like a wonderful day, too.
Posted by: Cookie | June 01, 2011 at 02:21 PM
That's a cool rainbow. Maybe it was tired after all the activity of the day. ;p
Posted by: Becky | June 01, 2011 at 02:25 PM
Maybe the alpacas are happy to be rid of their coats...like I am when I take off my orange alpaca sweater...too hot!
Posted by: Suzy | June 01, 2011 at 03:23 PM
Deb and Jim were lucky to have you there!
Posted by: Cheryl S. | June 01, 2011 at 04:49 PM
You and Smith are so dedicated to show up year after year!
Posted by: Birdsong | June 01, 2011 at 04:55 PM
Isn't it fascinating to watch them getting sheared? I've only helped with some sheep, those alpacas sure are pretty animals.
What an amazing rainbow.. I looked at the photo and had to double take, WoW!
Posted by: marianne | June 04, 2011 at 04:31 PM
They always look so odd when they lose their coats! I think alpacas and llamas are just so strangly built...and you don't notice it until they are naked!
Posted by: Kristin | June 06, 2011 at 03:54 PM