New Baby reindeer to my herd

Bummer the nest was abandoned, but at least they recycled some reindeer hair!
Here on my ranch I always find tons and tons of hummingbird nests, intricately padded/insulated with wads and wads of soft fluffy goat undercoat (which is more like wool than hair), interwoven with horse main and tail hairs for structure/strength. Gotta love nature's little recyclers

 

Wow Guinea - I wish we had humming birds in the UK. If you don't mind me asking, where are you from?

Today I found another part built nest, this time on the high shelf of a field shelter (wasn't there 12 hours before)- unfortunately my hoof shears & a grooming brush were underneath so I had to extricate them as I need them regularly. Luckily it didn't put the bird off as more building had taken place before afternoon feed..
Not sure what bird yet, guessing thrush again as "bowl" is maximum 4 1/2 inches..

Spoiler

 

Karen I'm in Northern California about an hour north of Sacramento... (near the base of the Sierra Nevada Foothills, at only about 1300 ft in elevation). I have several different kinds of flowers blooming for the humming birds to slurp nectar from all Spring and Summer long so they are always zipping around here and they usually build their nests up in whichever oak trees are closest to "their" flowers.

 

It's that time of year, when a lot of nature's creatures are preparing for the arrival of little ones.

 

Me too Soon...
Tomorrow I will try to take pictures of the "Yummy Mummies" (weather dependant) and see if we can all guess at the order of calving.. I have my suspicions but would like your thoughts.. We're getting close.. the babies are very active but the girls aren't "bagging up" yet, their nipples are visible now - we are getting closer but not yet!!

 

OOOOhhhh I can't wait!!!!

 

Now not sure how many pictures I can post without overloading... but the first Mischa who is getting HUGE!

Spoiler

and Katya

Twiglet

and finally Ana

What are your thoughts for who is first... I am hoping Mischa as that belly is huge.....

 

I would venture to guess Mischa or Katya are in a tie to be the 1st one to pop.

 

I agree with Brooke... those 2 look the biggest, by far.

 

I'll go with Micha, but Katya won't be far behind!

 

I haven't read every post, so maybe I just missed it, but how old are they and how many, (calves? Is that the correct term?), have each of them had.

 

Just 4 calves on the way (yes you are correct Doc - calves in reindeer). Mischa & Twiglet are 4, Katya 3 and Ana 2 years old.

 

I'm getting so anxious for adorable little furbabies

 

Definitely it's close between Mischa and Katya. They are all so chubby ....I'm getting excited to see the new babies.

 

My "nest on a shelf" has it's first egg.. At this rate I'll have jackdaw chicks before reindeer calves.

But the good news today is Mischa's udder is showing signs of "puffing up" Not a definite guide of who will be first but we are getting closer (now that's a silly comment even for me!!!)

As I laid on the ground between rear reindeer legs checking out udders, especially Twiglet, I did wonder how I would explain in Accident & Emergency how a black eye or worse could be explained... Heehee..
But we are getting close now.... Not yet on 4am check but getting close..

 

Start with the truth? I suspect they have heard it all!

 

While you are being treated at Emergency, you can show them photos of your herd and they will instantly fall in love with your 'Mamas to be' and the rest of your 'fur babies 'as we all have.

 

pnp - So true!!! I've got a major crush on Hector....and cute little Lotte!

BohoKaren - During this time of year.....I have no idea how you get anything in RL done? I'd be on baby watch 24/7.

 

If you never take a break, you can't see the changes. Like watching grass grow.