Llama or Alpaca, how can you know?

 Llamas vs. Alpacas

Lately, I have seen many photos of llamas and alpacas in social media. However, no one seems to know how to tell them apart unless they own one. Although a native of South America, there are many Camelids living near me so I thought I would share their differences and similarities so we can all learn together....

         Firstly, the ears!  Llama ears are large and banana-shaped (please do not make fun of them, banana brain and plaintain brain are llama bullying), while alpaca ears are small and spear-shaped.

         Secondly, their size. Like their ears, llamas are twice the size of alpacas at maturity.

         Thirdly, their fur.. Alpaca fur is considered superior and a much more fine fiber.

         Fourthly, do they spit or bite?  They DO spit, but rarely. Mostly the males when they are upset and they direct it at younger males. They are both very gentle herbivores with three chambered stomachs and they graze and ruminate (requiring about 1/3 acre to live healthily).

         Fifthly (is that even a word?), what about poop? A herd of llamas and/or alpacas (they live together well) will determine the "poop zone" in their enclosure and ALL the animals will use that area to relieve themselves. A very neat and organized camelid society.

         And finally, what sound do they make, if any? Do YOU know?  Well, they hum! I guess they forgot the words--haha.  It is a subtle noise they make similar to cat purring and no one has determined why. However, they have distinguishable different humming sounds that they speak to each other--their language!

         Alpacas can become sick or die of loneliness. They are herd animals and need a fellow creature to be happy. Except for being very wary of canines, they get along well with other animals.

         Can you ride one?  Alpacas and Llamas can safely carry 1/4 of their body weight, so only children could ride one. If using them for pack animals, the owner must be very aware of their weight restrictions--yee haw!

Bear, Dog, basically the same, right?

 Black Bear vs. Black Dog

My family and I live in the Colorado Rockies in harmony with black bear, coyote, mountain lion, fox, deer, elk, and a plethora of gorgeous creatures. I have always had people ask the inevitable question, "Aren't you afraid the bears or lions will eat your children?"  About 18 years ago I received my evidence of the answer. My then 11 year old daughter was out on the back of the property on a warm summer day bouncing on the trampoline and listening to her Ipod. As she was walking back to the house she bumped into something big black and furry while looking down at the Ipod (typical kid). She assumed that it was Oscar, our Newfoundland pup and proceeded to slap it on the backside and say, "Hey, Oscar, move along and get inside!" However, she realized something felt wrong and looked up and saw a black bear looking back at her. My daughter said the black bear looked hurt and she seemed to say, "what did I do wrong?"
            My daughter felt so sorry she had smacked the bear. She patted it on the back and apologized as she walked toward the kitchen door.
            Wow!  What a dangerous creature--NOT! The bear knew my daughter meant no harm. We choose to live in concert with the bears and respect them by not interfering with their everyday lives.
Please share this story when you have a chance. Do you have your own to share?

Proud Momma!

I endeavored to raise my children with a love and respect for this planet. As small children you can see them love their pets, the birds, the animals on hikes, and even their stuffed animals. However, you really wonder if that love will remain when they grow and enter this busy, consumer-focused society as adults.
Last weekend, however, I was thrilled to see my 27 year-old daughter displaying compassion and true joy for animals!
We live in Colorado and are experiencing a drought. Many animals, including the bees, are suffering from a lack of moisture due to fewer flowers and lack of rain. My daughter read the Taproot Guru posting about how to create a bee feeder and came to my house last weekend. The bees were swarming my hummingbird feeders trying to get something to drink. Together we took a shallow pan, decorative marbles she had brought, and some sugar-water and placed it outside on the deck railing a few feet from the hummingbird feeders. The bees proceeded to gather and she stood among them. She was thrilled to have them buzzing around her entire body and she stood there watching their behavior as they drank. She was so excited to see them licking and grooming each other and she even witnessed them helping one of their fellow bees out of the water after being submerged and they all dried it off together until he was able to fly again.  She asked me to video her among the bees and post it to social media to show everyone that the bees are harmless and beautiful.
I was happy for the bees, but I was most happy to see the joy on her face and to know that I have instilled a love and caring for animals and this planet that will continue long after I am gone.
~ Guru Annette

As the Crow Flies!

As The Crow Flies…..

I am a Wandering Soul and Nature is my one of my very best friends…only problem is, I have absolutely no sense of direction!!! And therefore, I have, on occasion, gotten myself quite lost in the wilderness!

This takes me to a day in the not too distant past. 

It was the first really warm day of Spring, and I decided it was time for a long walk.  I headed to a wooded area in a camp across the street from my house…and yes, I got lost across the street from my house!! In my defense, I had wandered for several hours, zigging and zagging and paying very little attention to my path or to landmarks. But rather I was engrossed by the beauty of Nature…new nests being built, busy Squirrels enjoying the warmth, a magnificent Hawk flying so close I could have reached out and touched it, a magical variety of bugs doing what bugs do!! And then of course there are what I call my omen hunts, looking for gifts from Nature, be it a fallen feather or that perfectly shaped heart stone.

Lo and behold, I suddenly realized the Sun was beginning to set and I had absolutely no clue which way was home!!! I stood in the middle of a large field, turning in circles and trying to pick a direction…I was totally lost!!! So, I did what I usually do in a case like this…I asked Mum Gaia for Her help…within a couple of minutes I heard a very familiar and much cherished sound….CROWS!!! My Spirit Guides and cherished companions…now mind you, there are sadly no Crows roosting in my neighborhood at the moment…I drive about 15 minutes from my home to visit with them quite often. However, on this day about 30 Crows approached overhead, my saviors, calling out loudly to me…most folks would have heard cawing, but I heard ‘Hey, our friend Wandering Soul, follow us’!!! So I did, and they lead me out of the field, through the woods and home. 

Crows will be forever sacred to me…I wish they were better understood by most folks…they are not harbingers of evil, they are not vicious, and they do not steal babies!!!! Quite the contrary, they are highly intelligent birds, curious and playful, and if ever you befriend them, they will be loyal and caring companions! In fact, they may even bring you shiny gifts!! 

I highly recommend doing a bit of study on these magnificent birds, you will not be sorry. (Same goes for Ravens!!!)

Guru Maria

PLEASE, SIR, MAY I HAVE MORE?

Chipmunks near my home in the Colorado Rockies take full

advantage of the black oil sunflower seeds I feed the birds on my upper deck. Seeds fall below and they scramble from their dens in the rocks and gather their stores.  I love watching them scamper around, dine on grasses, and chatter in their sweet chirrups.


Last summer I had an unforgettable experience with one of them.

My dog had recently had surgery and wasn't allowed to jump up on furniture. I knew he would jump on my bed and hurt himself, so I took the bed apart, launched it over my deck railing, and threw it away (I'm certain if any neighbors could see me they questioned my sanity). Every morning I opened my large deck door to let in the cool morning breezes. One day I was up very early, opened the door, and returned to my bed on the floor. 

A little while later I felt someone staring at me and very slowly opened my eyes. There he was. A chipmunk was perched on my left shoulder staring right into my eyes as I lay sleeping on my side. I quietly said "hello little guy" to him and very gingerly began to sit up. Amazingly, he didn't run away from fear. He just ran down my arm to the floor in front of me and looked straight into my eyes. I continued talking to him while placing a blanket over my dog so he wouldn't awaken and scare the little guy. I gently sat up and stood up. He never moved.

Once I was standing, he chirruped and looked at me and went several feet to my bedroom door. I followed as he went a few more feet, turned and looked at me again. I followed him all the way out of the house to my upper deck where he jumped on the railing, looked up at the bird feeder, and proceeded to tell me that it needed to be refilled!

What a brave and intelligent little guy! 

I filled the bird feeder and he scampered below to graze. Several more times that summer he entered my house, found me, and told me the feeder was empty. I named him "Oliver" because he seemed to keep saying, "Please, sir, may I have more?"

The chipmunks have emerged once more and I look forward to seeing my little friend, Oliver, again.