The Sheep Whisperer

The girls walking past me ever-so-slowly.. without ANY eye contact whatsoever
Forgive the second post of the day, 
Now....I am not overly familiar with sheep.
(YP hold it right there and say NOTHING!)
OK here in rural Wales you literally cannot fart without being over heard by a startled ewe  and then see a marbled eyed dumb face staring at you with a look of "how very dare you!"
Sylvia and Irene are curious and nervous little creatures
After a somewhat fraught first meeting with the Indian runners who set both ewes galloping for the hills with an unbelievably loud screaming pincer movement , things are beginning to settle down between birds and sheep!
Of course , I am the only real fly in the ointment where their emotional well being is concerned, for to begin with all it needed for them to be sent scurrying into the bushes was a merest glimpse of my sweaty little hand on the gate handle!
So at every opportunity I have gone out to the field with a bowl of feed which I have shaken enticingly at them with my best "come hither" expression on my face.and over the last few days they are noticeably building themselves up to actually come up to within a gnat's crotchet of my excitedly shaking bucket!

32 comments:

  1. I too have suffered from a shaking bucket when approaching sheep from behind too. You are not alone. What's the English for 'bucket', btw?

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  2. I'm not touching that "come hither" reference with a ten foot pole, John!

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  3. Anonymous8:28 pm

    They'll come around eventually and you won't be able to shake them off when you go outside.

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  4. How long will your patience hold...until yet another rain day? I have stood forever at times with grass coaxing many a horse to come hither.

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  5. sp and YP you are the same person!
    Cindy...I have a nice selection of coats

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  6. "my best "come hither" expression on my face"

    I'd like to see that :-)

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  7. kath
    buy me a gin and tonic and you would x

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  8. Anonymous9:25 pm

    At Slimbridge (WWT), to get close to the cranes, the staff actually wear crane look alike suits...

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  9. I bet they did rusty! ( she's on drugs)

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  10. Ewe seem to have lots of excitement around there.

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  11. Animal crackers make good sheep bait....put some in your pockets and toss them a few to get them to come closer...they will eventually take them out of your hand. Ours like frosted wheat cereal and frosted O cereal but those can get a bit sticky in your pockets. :)

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  12. a photo of your "come hither" face will suffice in all our curiosity...

    Gill

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  13. Yes, Gill, I want to see it too! Kindly oblige us, John.

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  14. I was teasing...I would run from those ducks, too.

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  15. I was wondering how it was going with Irene and Sylvia. I'm sure after awhile they'll realize how wonderful you are, and i'm sure it'll be worth all your efforts.

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  16. Put on a kilt. Wait, that'll only scare them . (Why do Scotsmen wear kilts? The sound of a zipper scares off the sheep! I can say that, I'm married to a kilt-monkey.)

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  17. Ewes! You didn't! I have to check....this should be an adventure John!

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  18. If I say 'I like sheep' some silly Yorkshireman is sure to make a comment, but I DO! They are soft, silly, gentle creatures.

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  19. I didn't realize sheep startled so easily.

    You could post 4 or 5 times a day and I'm sure I'd enjoy them all. ;o)

    Have a great weekend, John!

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  20. It could be those gum-boots that's frightening them.

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  21. Am watching with interest how you get those two new sheep of yours to come to the hand to be fed. we've got to train the goats and Elise to do the same, without having to do a manic chase around the Paddock first to catch them!

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  22. I think that mybabyjohn/Delores is right. The time will come sooner than you think as well.

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  23. The girls are playing hard to get...in a little while you won't be able to push them away......

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  24. I love the idea of them not making eye contact. I worked with a child once who wouldn't either. when she did she received heaps of praise & was allowed to play... ?
    just an idea ( what do sheep like to play with ? )

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  25. My lady says they will come around but be patient and don't try to make eye contact. She was able to run her hand down her new ewe's back the other night for the first time without Cameo bolting as if something disgusting was touching her. Go out and sit with a book and pretend you don't notice any sheep and they will be over giving you a sniff soon! They are beautiful!

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  26. Fifty posts a day might be too much, a few from you are treats!

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  27. Hi from Oregon. Looks like a wonderful family, luv William smiling, and that shot of the three on a stick is priceless. Thank you for sharing with us

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