Category Archives: Animals

Sheep, Afternoon Exercise

March 2, 2024 Ellen Jennings Leave a comment

After I took the Sheep closeups the herd decided dinner wasn’t imminent and it was time to move on. During the day, they have free run of the big lawn, the barnyard, and a pathway around the back of the paddocks.

Once they got moving the lead sheep started to pick up speed. The horses completely ignore the rabble.

“Wait for me!”

The herd passed me by and headed around the back. If you’ve seen some of my older pictures of Middleton Place or been here yourself, you may notice the new fencing. It doesn’t have that nice weathered split-log look, but is more secure for the animals.

February 26, 2024
Middleton Place Stable Yard, Charleston, SC

Animals

Sheep Close Ups

March 1, 2024 Ellen Jennings Leave a comment

When I pulled into Middleton Place last week the sheep were out on the big lawn, a nice place to take their photographs. They had moved into the barnyard by the time I got to the lawn, but were still roaming freely.

Two of the stable workers were doing something in the barn, and the sheep were milling around watching expectantly. Perhaps hoping for an early dinner.

This chocolate colored sheep is one of last year’s Three Lambs, 2023.

I was told on my last visit that three of the ewes are pregnant, due near the end of March. The others are scheduled to be sheared in a couple of weeks as part of an educational Sheep and Wool Day.

February 26, 2024
Middleton Place Stable Yard, Charleston, SC

Animals

Selection of Eastern Grey Squirrels

February 24, 2024 Ellen Jennings 3 Comments

Lately I’ve been seeing squirrels all over Magnolia Plantation. With few leaves on the trees I’ve gotten a few images.

This first one was enjoying a colorful snack on one of the inner pathways.

This fellow was trying to pretend he didn’t see me, with some kind of a nut in his mouth.

This squirrel was in the parking lot and snapped off a bunch of the berries like they were grapes before moving to a more secure location to start snacking.

At the edge of the parking lot, this squirrel was waiting for me to pass by before making his move.

Grey Squirrel on Stump – February 8, 2024

Animals

Three Lambs, 2023

September 27, 2023 Ellen Jennings 2 Comments

As I was reviewing my trips to Middleton Place when I was mentioning lambs in yesterday’s post I couldn’t find that I had ever published this year’s offspring. So here are some pictures from May of the three lambs at about a month old.

The black lamb stayed close to mama.

Curious and incredibly cute.

Finally the three lambs lined up, sort of.

May 2, 2023
Middleton Place Stable Yard, Charleston, SC

Animals

Sheep On The Lawn

September 26, 2023 Ellen Jennings Leave a comment

This was my first visit to Middleton Place since the beginning of May. The sheep were free on the lawn doing their mowing duties.

They were just sheep being sheep, not doing much interesting.

I was shooting with the Tamron 180mm macro lens, anticipating butterflies, so I didn’t bother approaching the nearly grown lambs that eluded me in the shade.

This fellow stopped and lifted his head for a minute giving me a nice profile.

September 20, 2023
Middleton Place Stable Yard, Charleston, SC

Animals

Cashmere Goat, Closeups

September 26, 2023 Ellen Jennings 2 Comments

The Cashmere Goat pair were having a nap at the Middleton Place stable yard when I walked by. One wasn’t interest in Ted and I having a look but this one’s curiosity got the best of him. He turned towards me showing off his silky goatee.

I only had my Tamron 180mm lens with me so I only got close up shots.

I backed way up to get this shot of the goat watching over the fence as one of the farm workers went by with some hay for the chicken coop–that he was very interested in.

Middleton Place Heritage Stable Yard, Charleston, SC
September 23, 2023

Animals

White-tailed Deer Fawn

April 15, 2023 Ellen Jennings Leave a comment

Another photographer told me about this young fawn just off the boardwalk. It would be easy to pass right by without seeing it; in fact I saw some chatty folks do just that.

The fawn never moved while I took a few photographs.

I did two circuits around the Beidler boardwalk and the second time around he was in the same spot, tucked down even further and appeared to be asleep.

As I walked away something startled him and he took off like a shot. I expect the Doe wasn’t far off. Deer are known to leave their young on their own as their spotty camouflage and lack of scent protects them from predators.

Francis Beidler Forest, SC
April 14, 2023

Animals

Marsh Rabbit In The Salad

April 5, 2023 Ellen Jennings 3 Comments

I was going to say “in the weeds” but it is all salad to a Marsh Rabbit.

Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston, SC
March 30, 2023

Animals

Cashmere Goat Escapades

March 4, 2023 Ellen Jennings 2 Comments

Three years ago I posted about Middleton Place’s new pair of Cashmere Goats in their Heritage Stable yard and how the goats like to climb on things.

Turns out they like to head-butt things, too. Like the gate to their enclosure and then to make unauthorized excursions. Yesterday morning when staff arrived the goats had broken into the sheep pen.

The goats were moved into an empty pasture area while repairs were conducted and when I passed by the goats seemed a bit lost in this great big space that sometimes has a few horses in it.

I have heard the clunk of their horns when they tussle and can easily see how this pair could use their heads to break down about anything.

Staff had started afternoon feedings at the other end of the barn yard and I’m sure they knew their turn was coming.

But wait, we’re not where we get fed!

The goats were led back to their pen a few minutes later, where their dinner awaited them.

Middleton Place, Charleston, SC
March 3, 2023

Animals

Goats Of Another Color

December 11, 2022 Ellen Jennings 2 Comments

Middleton Place has a non-featured trio of goats in their Heritage Stable yard. They are in the back, away from the flashier Cashmere Goats that are penned next to the sheep. There may be goat antics that require this separation.

I’ve stopped by to see these three many times and a couple weeks ago for the first time the goats were in a sun patch, although didn’t line up for any kind of group photo. They’ve got some impressive horns and did show off their goatees.

Brown Goat, Nice view of the rectangular pupil

Middleton Place, Charleston, SC
November 29, 2022