We've now been with goats for four days or so. Most mornings we've gone up to take a look soon after we wake up, and then checked on them at least once more after that. It's not a chore at all - we just go up the hill to watch them for a little while and enjoy the show.
In the past, when we'd go back to that part of our land, we'd usually try to imagine changes we could make at some hazy time in the future. Now, changes are happening! The goats have made themselves at home, the spot feels busy and active, and every time we go there it looks a little different. Sometimes when we approach they're in the middle of a meal. Other times they're lying down resting, and when they hear us they jump up and trot away from us a few steps. We usually see Sara and Emma, the big white dogs, and Sara is getting a little friendlier with us every day. (Emma's still pretty shy.)
The goats are a lot of fun to watch. They munch on everything, although they definitely like some things better than others - they've already got the small poplar trees pretty well stripped and have even eaten some of the bark (unless maybe that got taken off by their hooves when they bend the trees down to get the tops). They also like juniper trees and Chinese privet. We have tons of yellow blooming stickweed and they're not as excited about that, but we're hoping they'll eat it when the other stuff is gone.
We see them standing on rocks, cleverly pulling trees down for maximum munching, and occasionally butting heads with each other. One of my favorite sights is when all 10 of them get into a thick area of weeds and rustle around in all directions like a disorganized school of fish.
And they really are clearing out the area. Especially in certain spots, it looks dramatically different. We're looking forward to seeing that continue!
- Erika
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