visitation

This flock of sheep comes by our house when they feel like it. Today was one of those days.There are about twenty of them, though the numbers mysteriously vary a bit from time to time. They are the cove flock that stays along the point and the ruins south of the point, and comes up along the shore of the cove.

There are two other flocks. The horseshoe flock stays up north in the woods and marsh, and they are the wildest and the baddest or shyest, depending on how you look at it. They are also the smallest flock. The lighthouse flock is the biggest group, very mainstream in its thinking. The cove flock is, of course, the best of the three from our point of view. But each flock has its good points, I'm sure.
They are finding something to nibble on amongst all this winterized grass.
This is a yearling, which is called a hogget. Leroy says the rams do not impregnate hoggets. I suppose the hoggets do not yet ovulate or give off hormone scents.You can certainly see the effect of having The Major on the island for the past two years. There are many more young sheep with Scottish Blackface characteristics.
Their lovely long wool must be a huge help in withstanding the harshness of winter. Which may possibly be gradually coming to a close, ever so slightly, maybe.