Alpacas

After a couple of long plane trips, I am back in Ocean City. It's springtime! And beautiful spring weather! Linda has been researching alpacas and has fallen in love with them! We were surprised to find out that there are quite a few alpaca farms near us on the Eastern Shore. We visited a couple and were invited back to watch on shearing day - just a few miles from our house. The animals are quite gentle but they do get a little agitated when dragged off to the shearer.

On warm days they enjoy getting their bellies cooled with a spray from the hose.

It's your turn... (the little dog is giving some encouragement)

First you have to tie their legs so you can pull them down and stretch them out.

Beautiful, soft fleece... (average 7-10 pounds per animal)

The long necks have lots of fleece.

The fleece from the back is bagged separately, because the
quality is different from different parts of the body.

Then she gets a "do".

Back to the paddock, but she isn't sure...

Well, it's cooler for the summer months. By the time next year's
shearing takes place they will have forgotten any inconvenience!