Uncle Flick was a bit of a fuddy-duddy. He was so well behaved, until the birth of Baby Coral...Then, he got his first taste of freedom when he got to go up the street with Mom, Coral and me to an open house at another farm here in Foster. NOW he opens the gate, helps himself to some extra grain too. Not bad for a 20-something alpaca

And my last gelding, Borealis, who earned his "celestial" name because I was drinking Borealis coffee when mom, Nyatt, went into labor. This fluffy boy will have paid off his Tuft’s Hospital veterinary bills by age 10 (the yarn spun from his hair nets $7 an ounce so this means he produces a lot of fiber!). Yes, what a bill, but his Cholanial Atrisia surgery was only the 3rd successful one the country. We got a write up in the veterinary journals and everything. Luckily he didn't let the fame go to his head, now he is just the putz of the barn, go figure.

This itty, bitty alpaca is Murex, and she is the mom of Coral (yes, the dark one is the mom). She finally weaned her baby, Coral at almost two. She is also head of the entire herd and gets to boss around the 300 pound llamas! She had no name when I adopted her, but she came up to me and asked to be taken to my farm...I fell in love with her crazy, long ear hair most of all...so I named her after the rare and beautiful sea shell of the Venus Comb Murex.

Angelica is the elder and former "head-of-the-herd" llama. Her mom, Nutmeg, was head llama before her. Yes, all llamas and alpacas are matriarchal herd animals. She was VERY bossy in her younger days and felt that people (including me, the midwife) and the dog were often beneath contempt. But, she had her sweet side too and would ask for back scratches and head rubs. Angelica takes after her dad, Silverweed. She loves chocolate chip cookies now and again and has lots of black ticking on her legs like dad too.

Mardi Gras is another of my favorite adoptions. She was in a sad state before I took her in, her hair was un-kept, and her ribs were showing... Now, she’s a proud and healthy member of the “ribless ones”. This bouncy, saucy and vivacious llama is the "Social Director" of the herd. She and Cocobean also babysit as needed for the new moms. She is Chilean-Bolivian-Argentinean-American with extra fine 10 micron hair! Love the color too!

Hamilton is my LOUD boy and a middle-aged gelding. He gets in the face of Borealis or Flick and roars until they get out of his way (usually over a food dish). It's hard to believe a llama can sound just like a seal! He set the barn record for roaring the whole time he is being sheared too (about 30 minutes). I'm surprised the neighbors did not call the police! He was very standoffish in the beginning as Sergio, but once I started calling him Hamilton he kisses me on the lips ...hmmm.

Nyatt is my oldest girl and the mom to Borealis. Her blue eyes means she can’t go in the show ring, however she produces beautiful fine, white fiber. Most of the year Nyatt looks to be a dingy, grey because she loves to roll...EVERYWHERE! In the mud, the barn floor dust and outside in the grass too. She hates the camera, so the best pictures of her with her ears up, always seem to be the ones of her walking away.

Baby Coral (the biggest alpaca eva’) was born almost 2 years ago. She started off at 18 pounds and now weights?? She has that lovely personality, that makes her the darling of the barn - always sweet, always gives kisses, and has oodles of pretty fiber to boot! She has asked me to help with the newsletter too...hmmm.

Cocobean is the last of my half-Bolivians. Her dad was born in Bolivia and was imported in 1990. She has always been a peach to work with, quiet and unassuming. Like her mom Salix, she would think nothing of putting dogs in their place. As a puppy, Tattie had to earn her right to be in the barn. If coyotes dared enter the pasture, Cocobean would head the charge, sending them running off with their tails between their legs!