It’s that time of year again. I’ve shown the annual turning out of cows to pasture before (See ‘A Stampede of Cows’) but as it is such a big event in my calendar (party invites having dried up somewhat), I’ll share it with you once more.
Margaret warns me when the release is imminent and I drop what I’m doing in the garden and walk up through the fields to the farm.
I stand on my favoured spot
– a tree stump behind a small hedge –
from where my 300mm lens suggests I’m far, far braver than the reality.
This is the one day of the year when I see these hefty animals
galloping at full pelt
and hurtling straight towards me.
Except for a handful, who don’t.
And this is the moment when I seriously doubt the wisdom
of standing behind thin,
A very rare four-eared calf
insubstantial bits of hawthorn.
The rarer still levitating calf
(At the last moment, the herd always swerves to one side and passes though an opened gate on my right. So far).
The calves, born inside the sheds, haven’t been outside before, and after a quick glance back at their mothers,
hare off to explore a whole new world, as I would.
I’ve suggested to Margaret that she sell tickets.
She had a team of helpers this year
to enjoy the fun; round-up stragglers;
and herd them into the next field.
With Margaret leading the way, we urged them on and across the Priory drive (with pickets posted to stop them bolting up the drive to the village or down to the Priory gardens) and through to another field beyond. Job done.
The daffodils are over but the cows are back. It’s almost summer.
The Anxious Gardener 
Delightful spring ritual. Maybe next year you’ll have it in video? 😉 It’d go viral!
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You might be on to something there, Eliza. I’ll just need to work out the video feature on my camera first!
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You have a year to practice!
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I love cows! Thank you for brightening up my day.
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Me too, Rej. Great big buxomly beauties. And they jump in the air too.
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A what a really lovely happy sight Dave, hope all is going well with your new house.
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Hi Julie, yes thank you. It’s coming along and we like it very much. More of a summer-time house than a winter one but hopefully it’ll be a bit more comfortable by next winter! D
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A delightful photgrapic chronicle of such a frolicsome herd…. Thanks for sharing…This is my first experience of your annual ‘bovines cavorting’ post, and yes, I am making a note…Definitely brings a smile to see such joy in ‘going to pasture’ : )
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Just wait till next year when I plan on riding a galloping cow whilst still taking photos. Dave p.s. or not
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Yee Haw : ) You could initiate the world’s first Priory Rodeo…talk about a mash-up….
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Yep, I could but I fear it would be the last too!
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I must be cracking up. I now have a fixed image in my head of you, astride a cow, wearing a cowboy hat, shouting “Yee-haw” whilst playing that banjo theme from Deliverance. Why the banjo theme, I don’t know!
Or leading the Scottish Conservatives.
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I don’t think you’re cracking up at all, John. I’m scribbling furiously for next year’s photo shoot. Frankly you’re genius. (‘Cept for the Scottish Tories bit).
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You have a point there…Thanks for sharing such a an exuberant and joyful event : ) #tilthecowscomehome
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Excellent photos of some really frisky livestock, just like sheep. How long are they away in the barn?
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A long time – most of the year in fact. They’re only out in the fields from May to about October. No wonder they are so happy. D
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It is always amazing when at turn out you see old Matrons galloping about like youngsters.
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I shall tell Margaret you called her that. Then you’ll be sorry. D
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Thank you David!!
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Magic moments 🙂
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I wouldn’t miss it!
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I enjoy this annual post SO MUCH and I share it every year with my mom.
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Oh Blimey Emily. Now I feel obliged to ‘do’ the great stampede every year. I’ve made a note. D
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Please do. I’m with Emily and love this post every year!
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The pressure mounts! Dx
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An annual event not to be missed, but leaving those who have never seen a herd of frolicking cows careening towards there pastures with a smile on their lips. Amelia
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Well Amelia, next time you’re in Sussex during May let me know. D
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Superb photos!
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Thank you Wonder Dog. May I call you Archie?
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I think you are very brave to stand so close to such a joyous herd dashing out to their field. All to get such happy pictures for us to enjoy. Thank you!
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Brave is one word, Anne!
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Happy cows 🙂
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And a very happy farmer too. No more cleaning out the sheds!
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How adorable! We have the same situation here, the belted galways across the street are gone through the winter (so we can cross country ski the fields) and any day now they return to the fields with their adorable babies.. I wouldn’t mind having an ocean view, but having a view of the cattle in the field is just as much fun, and lower taxes!
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Belted galloways are smashing. I love having cows in the fields surrounding the Priory over the summer. They are a great backdrop, fun simply to watch and just ‘fit’ so well. Dave
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Pure bovine joy! Where I live in Minchinhampton in Gloucestershire the cows go out to graze the common in Summer. The wet Spring has made lusher-than-usual grass and huge colonies of cowslips and orchids. The cows love it. And the best thing is that everyone smiles more when the cows are out!
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Hi Joe. I know Minchinhampton very well! My in-laws live between there and Nailsworth and so I’ve been visiting the common for over twenty years now (with an included trip to Winstones, of course). D
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Of course there’s going to be a stampede. Margaret puts up a notice just inside the barn door that says “Grumpy’s waiting out there!”. And all the mother cows dash out to form an disorderly queue to end their enforced winter of celibacy! I’ve witnessed a “let-out” on a nearby farm and it’s a wonderful sight. Who would have thought that such big animals could be so nimble. Their joy is infectious.
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I’m sorry to break the news that Mr Grumpy is no more, John. As much as the old bugger scared the living daylights out of me, I do rather miss him.
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Pure joy!
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For the spectators as much as the cattle, I think
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They look more like scenes from a ranch in Texas 🙂
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Yee-haw
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Fantastic, they must be so glad to be outside once more!
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Yep and they’re back to staring at me over the hedge, which I rather like.
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Wonderful shots!
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Thanks Joanna
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happy cows !
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Happy cows, happy photographer.
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glad to hear !!! 😀
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As ever, a wonderful sight and certainly worth repeating each year.
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Thanks Christina. I worry about revisiting old ground but if I still enjoy the spectacle I hoped others would too.
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Always makes me smile when you post about the cows obtaining freedom, but I think my hand would be trembling too much to get such wonderful shots, whatever the power of the zoom. Definitely nearly summer. Hope you enjoy your first one in the new house and garden!!
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I guess I’m quite used to photographing them big beasts now, Janet. I think I’ve only missed one letting out in 6 or 7 years. Still exciting though. House and garden coming along thanks. It feels like a good house for summer – which reminds me I really ought to do that post about our new garden! Dave
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