Goating Around the Neighborhood

Papa dog Hart II's SunStar Bucky

Zuli's mutt Guppy... Nearing whelp time..

After a busy season of weed reduction, and land regenerating around New Mexico, the herd is on a short break... spending more time ranging on the local lands again, accompanied by LGD and herd dogs, horse and rider...

The dogs keep the herd together and safe from coyotes or stray dogs... They  take up different stations according to experience, need and individual inclination. When threats are not immediate and the herd is settled, eating, the dogs watch, listen and scent from hillsides, often together.

Herding dogs keep track of the goats and make sure everyone stays together.  Badger here has inherited his dad's intense working mind and also his tendency to take and hold the herd in good feeding areas...

October weather is great this year, perfect for goating around...

Monsoon in June

These photos of one enchanting sunset from the first week of June are evidence of the amazing weather we have enjoyed this year...

Unusual weather as well as the rains are usually gentler and fewer in May, and June is typically quite dry, and usually May and June are quite hot.

This year the rains came early...

...and have stayed...

Toads are abounding around SunStar... our population has increased well these last few years..

This year the first toad was spotted months early hanging around the front of the house.. 

a good sign for a wet year

Many evenings this summer we have driven home from GoatScaping somewhere to watch incredible electric storms and black-wet micro-storms trending across the sky, trailing water as they go...

The weather has been wonderful, may it continue! 

The goats are busy working in weedy yards and in invaded fields and under overgrown solar arrays... 

Any time spent at home on the range is an opportunity to jump for joy, kicking up their heels in frolic as they head to their tumbleweed field to fill up full of tumbleweed and grasses and clover and saltbush...

GoatScaping Solar Installations in New Mexico

This solar array at the San Marcos Cafe and Feedstore south of Santa Fe on Hwy 14 (well known for their fabulous food) is the second large solar installment that our goats have worked. 

In both cases they have proven to be very safe and effective in reducing the vegetation which will otherwise grow tall and interfere with accessing the panels for both maintenance people and importantly: sunlight... 

Many installations across our nation are currently maintained either by hand pulling the weeds or with the all too common herbicide, Rodeo. 

One being very labor intensive and the other being at odds with the "green" nature of solar, and with balanced life on earth. 

Managed Goats and Sheep are a perfect match for photovoltaic arrays...

Mowers and weed whackers can be used but they must not throw rocks. 

Also, much of the biggest and thickest vegetation often grows right up against the panels and the frame making mechanical removal there difficult to impossible...

...Goats enjoy working photovoltaic arrays...

Llama Dogs

Heading out to find the Llamas... 

I had to stop and smell the Primroses along the way.

Gorgeous to look and and heaven to smell!

Chopo and Pecos are ready to work the camelids...

The Llamas saw us coming and waited... 

We had to wait a few minutes while a pair of bicyclists passed by. 

Once they were out of range we started the llamas moving toward home..

...Badger celebrates the finding of his llamas...

Hart II's SunStarBuck watches the llamas, waiting for the signal to start his critters moving... 

Llama Ha, Hellon Wheels and Flash have been on the range for a few months and are not immediately willing to go back home... A little cutting-horsework keeps them from turning back... 

Guppy backs up Pecos and dad...

Pecos loves this part of the job.. So much like Polo!

Our dog pack, together, help the llama herd move forward calmly. The Australian Shepherds gently but assertively and firmly push the fuzzballs along. The big white Maremmas have calming energy and show the llamas no ill intent. They lead the herd and join in making us all one big group moving together.

Flash has broken down pasterns and is insecure about moving forward, 

The dogs keep the pressure gently applied...

Together, Zuli shows Guppy the fine art of gentle persuasion and firm assertion...

Guppy takes the job on and keeps Flash moving...

Flash stops to challenge the dog, Guppy patiently holds her position pushing back just a little...

Flash moves along, but checks out Amber... Still no threatening movement from the dogs...

On we go...

The Llamas pause...

The dogs worked very well together. The mature Zuli, Guppy and Bucky each take charge of a llama while young Badger follows along and backs up different mates...