I went to Middleton Place this week and stopped by the barnyard to see the animals.  Most of the sheep were laying on the lawn, chewing their cud, with nary a care.
Usually they scatter when humans approach, but even the chickens roaming around them weren’t a concern on this afternoon.
Wishing you all a peaceful holiday season!
Middleton Place, Charleston, SC
December 19, 2024
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
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
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
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
Another round of “What Are We Missing?”
One of the sheep spotted a farm hand giving hay to two cows in the enclosure to the right.
He came to see and the flock followed. Then they all milled around, wondering.
July 7, 2021
Middleton Place Stableyard, Charleston, SC
On a cloudy day the South Flanker across the great lawn was sprinkled with sheep.
One of the flock is always playing catch up.
July 7, 2021
Prior to the Civil War the main house was flanked by the North Flanker and the South Flanker, which was built in 1755 as gentlemen’s guest quarters and a business office.
I visited the sheep at Middleton Place today, and found the flock was roaming the grounds.
I hadn’t been since the end of May and wow, the lambs have grown, and they still are getting some milk nourishment.
It’s a bit harder work for them and their tails were in constant motion.
And mom moved on in about ten seconds.
The lambs are nearly as tall as mom!
July 7, 2021
Middleton Place Stableyard, Charleston, SC
Previous Sheep Posts
Continued from Sheep Expectation
Once the flock of sheep rounded the corner and were away from their pen they slowed down.
Now, why did we want to be out here?
Ever curious, the lambs charge ahead with their elders.
May 29, 2021
Middleton Place Stableyard, Charleston, SC
Did you hear? Something is about to happen!
And we are ready!
Ah, the gate around the corner had been opened.
Last one out is a rotten egg!
May 29, 2021
Middleton Place Stableyard, Charleston, SC
