Hellvellyn's Views
Lake District & North East England Photography
Herdwick Sheep Giving Birth!
These pictures were taken at Whitehouse Farm Centre, near Morpeth in Northumberland. As it was a cold & wet day, typical of the North-East, we spent more time than expected in the animal sheds. We had planned to spend more time in the fields. Little did we know, we were in for a special treat!
Naturally, on entering the barn, we headed straight for the cute lambs. It wasn't until Chris was looking around that we realised we had just missed a lamb being born, maybe 5 minutes earlier. The ewe (female) is a Herdwick & the tup (male) is a Texil. Below is the proud mum & her lamb.
During performing her motherly duties, the ewe twice walked away from the lamb & didn't look very comfortable........
It soon became apparent that she was still in labour & the birth was imminent!
Lamb 1 being neglected slightly
I just missed him trying to stand for the first time.
The family re-united by a kind farm worker.
Lamb 1 again, looking a bit more presentable now. It looks as though he needs a sleep; it's hard work being born!
We hope to visit Whitehouse Farm again this coming weekend to see the lambs again at 1 week old.
Cumbrian Sheep; Mainly Herdwicks.
Sheep have to be the cutest animals (after Puss of course!) and always appear willing to pose for the camera!
This sheep decided to pose for me near Ashness Bridge, Keswick. It looks as though she's lying down at first but she's stood on top of a mound.
What a poser! Then she turned the other way.
The next one has a really cute face.
Followed by twins.
I asked them out & they said I had to take them for a drink!
I told this one she looked like a tart when she was chewing gum....
....so she lost the chewing gum & posed again.
The inquisitive look on the next one is really cute.
Awwwww
More awwwww
These young ones at Castlerigg Stone Circle seemed to be playing King Of The Castle.
Circling the castle almost worked.
The one who dared to get onto the castle get the evols!
The next one would've been my lunch companion after climbing Blencathra.......if I hadn't left my lunch in the car!
Cute black lambs! (especially for you Greg) 
