Triple Play

It seems like we've been waiting forever for the first of the calves to arrive - and today we hit the jackpot!  Three calves from three separate sires from cows that we bought from three different herds.  What are the odds of that?!!

Without further ado:

Meara had a sturdy 55 pound bull calf.  His sire is Belle Fourche Washington.  Hers was our least eventful birth since he was waiting for us early this morning when we went out to check the herd. 

Above is a very lucky daughter of Gladhour Rally.  Rally was obviously in labor, so I grabbed the camera with the big lens and quietly moved to where I could take pictures.  All was going great until little miss was born and Rally began to clean her.  One big strong lick and little miss tumbled head over heels and landed in the creek!  The deep part of the creek near the culvert crossover....

Someone told me today that you do what you have to do - and I did.  Fortunately Chris was filling water tanks within both seeing and hearing distance, so I was able to get his attention.  Then I climbed through the barbed wire fence (I guess, because I don't remember that part) and jumped in to save her.  Slippery when wet barely describes how difficult it was to hoist her from the water (and fend off a very upset momma cow with horns)!  Chris arrived and jumped in beside me so that I could climb out and keep momma away while he picked her up and loaded her in the ATV. 

We moved her to a dry spot well away from the creek and out of the wind.  Momma caught up and started cleaning again right away.  All appears to be well now:

And last but not least, my Bessie delivered her first calf - a little heifer:

She was a bit excited about this new and strange creature and moved away from her as much as she moved toward her.  We gave her a watchful eye to make sure that she did eventually let her little girl nurse.  All's well with them this evening.  New momma has calmed down, become a bit more protective of her baby and they are well bonded now.

As for the humans at Moosters Meadows, we are tired but happy tonight!  Three down and eleven to go this spring.  Bessie's three half sisters should be next.  We hope they arrive with less hoopla!