Watching the Goats Who Live Near Larry Moore Park

A Parade of Goats to Photograph

Yesterday as I was about ready to load up my camera and go home from my walk, I found a reason to stay longer.  A farmer with property adjoining the park opened a gate to let his goats run into a pen right in front of me. In they hurried, one by one, and each immediately started looking for something to eat. It was hard to get the photos I wanted because of the fence between me and the goats and the speed at which they moved.

The Goat Photos

Nevertheless, I did get a few photos, and I discovered some of these goats did not seem in great shape. At first I thought this one just didn't want to turn his head toward the camera.

Then I discovered after watching for a few minutes it probably couldn't turn its head. I had to wonder what had happened to this poor creature.

This goat seems to not have problems - at least to my untrained eye from a distance. In case you're wondering, that white spot near the top edge is a cat.

This goat also has both horns and holds its head normally.

This goat knows exactly what its job is and is going about it diligently. You are seeing the riverbed in the background. I'm using a zoom because the goats are far from where I'm standing, so the river looks closer than it really is.

There were other goats, but they weren't as easy to photograph. I would have liked a better picture of this last one, but every time it jumped up to see over the fence and greet me, it jumped back down before I could get in focus. I finally got this much of it. I think it wants to be a unicorn. Though I guess it didn't choose to lose its other horn.

Have you ever had a goat? Have you ever wanted one? Feel free to share your goat experiences in the comments. I'd also love to hear any comments you have about these goats -- especially if you know their stories.

Goats -- on Farms and as Art

Reclining Goatess, Photo © B. Radisavljevic

I meet a lot of goats in North San Luis Obispo County. I see most goats on small farms, but occasionally I see one as art, like this one I found at Studios on the Park in the Fine Crafts Studio. Unfortunately, I could not find the artist's name. 

Goats are pretty common around the rural areas of Templeton and Paso Robles, especially around organic farms and nurseries. I used some in promotional photos in my blogs, such as this one about a foster child who was in between homes and coming to a new one in the town of In Between, Texas. The book is called In Between.  The goat in the introductory photo came from the now departed Fat Cat Farm in Templeton. If you click through, I think you will figure out why  I used it.

Goat at Jack Creek Farms, © B. Radisavljevic

Goats at Finley Family Nursery in Templeton, © B. Radisavljevic

I used one of the goats in that last photo as my model in this  birthday card I made on Zazzle. I think you will see the resemblance.

Happy Birthday! Greeting Card
View other Birthday Cards at Zazzle.com
The inside says "Happy Birthday, you old goat."

Related articles

• Goats to help landscape Spring Grove Cemetery

Exploring the Spanish Camp Area of Paso Robles

I Discover Spanish Camp in Paso Robles

Although the Spanish Camp area is only five minutes from where I live, I've never explored it  before. I had heard there were some very large homes there on acreage, but until today I never saw them. I found the development quite by accident.

It's a Private Home - Not a Park

I was coming home from physical therapy and decided to stop somewhere for my photo walk on the way home. Instead of turning toward home, I just kept going south on Creston road until I saw what appeared to be part of a park -- the oasis you see in the photo above. It was on a corner, so I turned right and parked. Then I discovered this was in the yard of a private home. Each home had lots of land, and mature oak trees were scattered everywhere.

Up the Hill

 I decided to walk up the hill in front of me, and on the way I noticed some   goats at the very back of this lot. I had to catch them with my zoom lens, since they were far from the road. You can see the large oak right behind them.

Do You See the Goats Between the Fences?

I could see the crest of the hill only a couple of blocks away (if there had been blocks) so I decided to check out the view. Once at the top I could see a long way to the west and  south. This is the shot I will share with you. What appear to be large flat stones as you look down the hill are really rooftops of other homes.

Those are Rooftops -- Not Flat Rocks -- Below the Trees

This experience and the discovery of the Snead/Rambouillet Trail last week shows me that even when you live in an area a long time there are still discoveries to be made and much left to explore that you haven't seen.

Have you come across any surprises in your own town lately?