Duchess
was a wonderfully docile ewe who tolerated my presence with the camera
to record the birth of her second lamb in 2008. The ram lamb
photographed during his birth was named Twin Willows Jester.
His
bloodlines are secure in the flock, having sired part of the lamb crops
of 2009 and 2010.
She cleans up the first twin, getting him to his feet and even letting
him nurse while the second twin waits to arrive.
Contractions
become too strong to ignore, and Duchess lies down to push.
The
second lamb is presented properly, front hooves first with the nose
close behind. The hardest push for Duchess moves
the
shoulders through.
That
final push moves the shoulders and allows the lamb to slip out onto the
straw. Duchess didn't think too much of my photography by
then, I
assume that's why she stuck her tongue out at me! The lamb
was a
long bodied boy and she stood to allow his legs to move through easily.
She
licks the lamb to stimulate it as well as clean it off. While
she's busy tending to her second lamb, the first one takes the
opportunity to visit the snack bar again.
Twin
Willows Farm
