Shearing...

Our friendly neighbors recently acquired angora and cashmere goats. They plan to harvest the wool for spinning. Today they had a woman come to the farm to shear the goats. I inserted myself and my camera into the scene.

The lovely woman who did the shearing clearly knew what she was about. She handled the goats with care, compassion and infinite skill. She lifted them off their feet and plunked them down on their hindquarters. This immobilized them, so she could use her clippers to remove the wool. It took about 30 minutes for each goat.

Once released the goats looked rather pleased. They stayed around us, though they were free to go back "home" where food and shelter were, or even to roam the property. Inquisitive and companionable, they hung out, investigating what the humans were up to.

The un-sheared goats were quite curious about those who had just lost their pelts.

And the sheared goats seemed... happy. They frolicked and showed off their new, lighter forms. The skies shed rain and the air was warm and wet. There were goats and conversation and frank amazement at the woman with the sharp clippers that removed the goat pelts. There was "baa-ing" and the ancient scent of lovely goats... animals that have provided milk and wool and meat to humans for generations. It was a fascinating way to spend a morning.