Saturday, May 17, 2014

Springtime ~ Kamloops, BC

Spring is the time of new beginnings.  We look forward to blossoms on the trees, the green hills surrounding Kamloops and feel the sun shining down on us to warm up our days.  Spring has now arrived in full blossom for most parts of the Kamloops region.

Shy Mother goat and her babies

Spring is also the beginnings of new life!  A recent visit to the Little Farmers Petting Zoo in Westsyde shows a booming population growth of the Pygmy goats with several little ones hopping and running around, oblivious to most of their surroundings but their playmates.

Piggyback ride, pygmy style
These sure-footed little kids, as baby goats are called, appear to climb up and over anything and everything that happens to be there, without fear, bumping and pushing each other.  The Pygmy goat, originally from West Africa, was first brought to North American in the 1950’s and is used primarily as petting zoo animals and domestic pets.

Playful pygmy kids
The kids have high energy and are extremely curious but very sociable and friendly so can make for great pets, as long as there are other animals for them to socialize with. Dehorning is recommended for pets as they may prove to be a problem for them and the others they’re with.  Their life span varies from 8 to 18 years.  To see more of Little Farmer's Petting Zoo, click here.

Beautiful mother and daughter
A drive through some of the ranchland around Kamloops may give you a glimpse of someone as beautiful as this mom and her baby.  The baby is generally referred to as a foal for the first year of its life but technically the male is called a colt for the first few years of its’ life and filly for the female.

No more photos today
These calves had enjoyed some time in the sun but had decided it was time to go back to the barn and find their moms for dinner.  The young ones are all called calves, no matter the sex until they’re weaned.  Females, after being weaned until reaching 3 yrs of age without having had a calf are called heifers.  They average about 4 hours of sleep per day.

Deer family playing tag
While recently enjoying a warm evening with friends on their deck we were entertained by the deer family who lives in this area.  What a treat it was to see them dash across the field, chasing one another and carry on playing what seemed to be a game of tag.  The sun had set and the dusk made for a poor photo from such a long distance but it was one I had to share.

Kamloops, B.C.
The sun offers a warm glow to the city as it sets later each day moving into the summer months.  Rich new green leaves and pretty blossoms can be seen on the many trees that line our city streets and the sagebrush, a plant of the daisy family is seen all over the hills of our semi-arid region.  Mt. Paul and Peter have their green spring color which soon fades as spring turns to summer. 

We welcome spring and all that it brings to our hometown of Kamloops, there is just no place like home.