a bit 'browned off' by jantan

a bit 'browned off'

I went up to the pigs a bit late today to discover that Myrtle, who we thought was three weeks behind Elsie in her pregnancy had given birth. I was there when Elsie had her eleven babies, but arrived just as Myrtle was delivering her afterbirth (sorry if you are eating whilst reading this!) so had probably had her babies a couple of hours earlier. Sadly, things had not gone quite so well as they had with Elsie and she did seem to be struggling a bit in these final stages.

I found six live, but mostly rather weak and not yet feeding babies, and four which had passed away. One of them was extremely tiny, but the others looked like they had simply failed to get themselves clear of the membrane or had been rolled on. I am completely kicking myself for not having been to see them earlier because I may have been able to save some of them. But I guess that that is the way it goes.

Anyway, I got the survivors into the right place and they all started feeding. Myrtle does not seem to have quite the same mothering instincts as Elsie because while I was there I saw her stand on the foot of one of the babies and then lie on another. Fortunately I managed to give her a shove and she moved.

In this picture Jack and Lilly are in their stable taking refuge from the flies which are plaguing them at the moment.
A lovely soft shot of your gorgeous donkeys. So sad about Myrtle's piglets. Hopefully she'll improve her mothering skills with the survivors.
August 3rd, 2013  
Lee
Superb shot, love his beard.
August 3rd, 2013  
A dear and tender shot of Jack and Lilly with lovely soft colours. Sorry about the piglets and hope all goes well for the survivors.
August 3rd, 2013  
What a lovely capture of your donks
August 3rd, 2013  
I love Donkeys. This is a Fab shot.
August 3rd, 2013  
Such a cute shot :-)
August 3rd, 2013  
What a gorgeous shot. I must say I don't envy you the worry with new piglets. Don't kick yourself, you can only do so much, the rest is left to nature as intended. I imagine they have such a number of piglets for a reason, some just wont survive! Now go,an have a glass of wine x
August 3rd, 2013  
What a gorgeous capture!!
August 3rd, 2013  
A fav!
August 3rd, 2013  
Lovely photo.
August 3rd, 2013  
first this is a fav just ove Jan! second so sorry about the loss of the babies mother nature can be cruel sometimes but we cannot tame or control her and she has her reasons for what happens even if we cant work out what they are.
August 3rd, 2013  
Beautiful image - fav
August 3rd, 2013  
A Fav. I absolutely love this portrait. Your story is interesting.
August 4th, 2013  
I can't stop loving them and your pictures of them
August 4th, 2013  
ahh i love donkeys cute shot
August 4th, 2013  
Love this shot of the donkeys. Fav. Hate those 'wish I had been there moments' with animals.
August 4th, 2013  
Lovely, gentle shot!
August 4th, 2013  
I'm a bit late Faving but I can't resist this beautiful pic - poor old piggies - as @lucypics says there is probably an expected attrition rate (as I expect Elsie might remind you if her's don't start behaving!)
August 4th, 2013  
Jo
Such a wonderful shot, tried the wide angle, don't think I'll be getting one anytime soon, but the macro is definitely on the list now that I've seen your shots, thanks again.
August 4th, 2013  
Thanks @jo13. This is another one with the 100mm if you hadn't realised. I think you will love that lens.
August 4th, 2013  
I LOVE this! It's a wonderful portrait of companionship.
I don't have all the technical knowledge about tones and exposure etc, but I love the lighting and all the shades of brown. This scene just draws me in and makes me feel like I'm there.
Fav-ulous.
August 4th, 2013  
Ooops, I was so engrossed in the photo, that I forgot about dear Myrtle. I do hope her mothering skills improve. Those babies need to learn how to get out of her way really quick.
August 4th, 2013  
Love this!! Great composition and colors.
August 5th, 2013  
Too bad about the situation with Myrtle, sad really.
Nonetheless, the shot is very sweet.
August 5th, 2013  
Wonderful shot - Jack and Lilly are gorgeous! : )
August 5th, 2013  
Love this donk pic.
August 5th, 2013  
So sad about the new piglets...but this photo is awesome...I love the light on them and the tones of everything...they look so gentle....fav
August 8th, 2013  
Super wonderful capture. Love the angle for this shot. FAV.
August 14th, 2013  
Really nice photo - portrait actually! Love it.
FAV
August 18th, 2013  
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