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Sunday, September 27, 2015
Salt Creek values diversity. We are always searching for alpacas with specific traits for the "next generation" alpaca. Stay tuned for an upcoming announcement - an outstanding Futurity Color Champion and multiple Judges Choice Color Champion stud, will be visiting Salt Creek for a limited time...
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Sunday, January 18, 2015
Busted! Grace and Hope caught snoozing in the hay bin
Ah…the sun is out…the birds are chirping…the alpacas are out grazing…the dogs are dutifully scanning the horizon for would-be predators…WAIT…what is this in the hay bin all snuggled up??? And is that SNORING I hear? :)
It is hard to sneak up on these two…and seconds later, they popped up and jumped out (and rest assured, our third pyr was on patrol the whole time!) We understand when they are catching the sleep they need for the evening work ahead. But it sure is hard to get to the hay under there when these two are on top of it!
Rest up, girls…it is coyote breeding season…and they are on the move!
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Saturday, December 20, 2014
It is a bustling time of year for many of us. Things to do (pastures to clean, animals to feed, water buckets to fill, dogs to feed, etc…oh wait…holidays…back on track!!!), places to go, people to gather with, presents to wrap and mail…busy, busy, busy!
Taking out time to send a holiday greeting to friends is always a time to also reflect on the wonderful year that has past us by. Salt Creek has had another strong and solid year.
Super Storm gave us a fantastic offspring (Microburst) and she captured the blue ribbon in her first outing at the tender age of a day over 6 months in a very competitive class. By partnering with High Plains, the impact to our program genetically and phenotypically has been significant.
Adding additional High Plains genetics - High Plains Quicksand (a Super Sam son!) and HK Amazon's Nighthawk (yep, an Amadeus line!!) simply added depth of Futurity winning impact males with diversity to our program in COLOR. Of course, we always had the whites! Commander (a Snowmass Star Quest son), Bonecrusher (an AML Nobility son) and Snowmass P True North One round out the whites with elite ease. And for the grey lovers, Grand River Bravo puts his own reflection champion offspring on the ground in grey.
We hope your holidays are merry and bright. Reflect back. If you need a little brightness, put a total package on your wish list. HP Hurricane's Super Storm is the one I would ask for.
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Sunday, October 19, 2014
Cool, brisk sunrise at Salt Creek
Sunrise and cool temperatures really mean one thing…Summer is over…Fall has definitely begun…and old man Winter is probably close as well. Frost on the pumpkins was very near during this early morning sunrise at Salt Creek as this lone male patrolled his pasture waiting for the females to come out of their warm barn...
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Sunday, June 1, 2014
I wanna kiss you all over
Nothing like puppy kisses…
The "girls club" is just in full force…Grace and Hope have a new task and they take it seriously. They watch over Little Missy (Super Storm's Microburst) day and night and make sure she is safe. Whether she is bopping from pasture to pasture or snuggling next to mom…the girls make sure to keep a watchful eye on her night and day.
It is fun to watch them follow her from pasture to pasture. They quickly learned to communicate with each other that one stays in each pasture and to take turns wearing each other out - and then let mom go get her! This bundle of energy needs to be confined!
Tag…you're it!
Sneaking attack….
Relaxing before Missy makes a break for it…keeping up with the little one is WORK!!
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Saturday, January 11, 2014
Grace snuggles in the hay feeder!
There is nothing better than being surrounded by good friends!
Although, secretly we think Grace just likes the soft cushion of the hay "bed" and thinks that this is her royal cushion…the alpacas simply don't mind and nibble right around her!
Hope has learned to sneak into the barn where it is nice and quiet and there is a big pile of straw - she will stretch out for a quick nap during the day with Spooky, our barn cat. (Really, I think she is just likes to cuddle with the kitty when no one is looking!)
Everyone is settled in and waiting for warmer weather and green grass!
Hope takes a snooze in the straw before going on patrol.
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Saturday, December 14, 2013
Grace - chewy bones are yummy!
We really cannot thank Kentucky Champion Alpacas and Rena Bartlett (Rivendell Meadows Alpacas & Angoras) for her assistance in transport coordination. Not only are Grace and Hope completely integrated into the herd, but they are totally at home here with Gretchen already…acting as if they were born here and were with the herd from day one! Hope tends to stay with the herd more while Grace is more the "watcher" from a distance.
Watching the dynamic "trio" has been interesting. Gretchen is getting much needed relief, but also guiding the younger girls. They are quick learners and look to her for leadership. These "little sisters" are definitely like having a big sister, but are independent enough to handle the pastures on their own. Simple awesome.
Very social, Grace loves to come and "shake your hand" - just like Gretchen. Hope bounds in for treats but is quick to return to the herd. She knows her job and will stay as guardian. Reminds me of the lion/lioness relationship…one will stay and protect…one call will bring the other back to help defend. :-)
We just got about 6" of snow…and more is falling…off to see what adventure is awaiting these little snow puppies…
Sigh…life is great!
Hope - got something to trade me for my chewy?
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Saturday, December 7, 2013
Hope and Grace
When back-up support needs to be called in to help against predators, this is what livestock owners want to see come rolling in!
Please help Salt Creek Alpacas welcome the newest additions to the Livestock Guardian patrol - Hope and Grace.
Previously on patrol down in Kentucky, they have moved up to the "northern" climate of Illinois to help patrol our pastures and provide the safety and security that we desire as livestock owners.
Since we have multiple pastures (broken down by males, females, yearlings, weanlings, etc…) having teams and working pairs of LGD (Livestock Guardian Dogs) is the ultimate predator control in this business.
Welcome!!
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Thursday, December 5, 2013
Gretchen
Stay tuned! Help is on the way! Many of you know that Gretchen (our Great Pyr) has been patrolling the pastures solo for a while now…but help is on the way, courtesy of Kentucky Champion Alpacas. Their sister-sister team, Hope and Grace, will be joining Salt Creek Alpacas very soon!
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Sunday, December 1, 2013
Bonecrusher at 15 months
Julie Skinner (Snowmass) knew exactly what she was doing when she stopped us to look at this male last year at the Futurity - and he was only 7 months old then. Yep…he is still striking. Stunning fiber. Well developed. "Can't wait to see how he matures" is what the judges say…. Yes…this is what you get when you put multiple champion parents together...
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