Winter
The winter has been colder than usual. The sheep like the snow, and tend to play more games when it's cold. Though they are all ewes, they play at head-butting and ramming, and it is always funny to see one back up for a charge, and to have the others half-heartedly scatter, not wanting to be hit but also knowing their sister runs in jest.
The coyotes have been near. They pass through the river valley in the autumn, as they did this year, but this year they've come back. A small family this time, maybe three or four animals. But more than enough to gut a sheep. The neighbor says they go after the largest sheep they can find, and eat the soft innards, leaving the rest. They were very loud last night, and there's not much food -- deer carcasses from careless hunters -- and so tonight the sheep have been moved close to the house. And the rifle has been moved close to the bed.
The coyotes have been near. They pass through the river valley in the autumn, as they did this year, but this year they've come back. A small family this time, maybe three or four animals. But more than enough to gut a sheep. The neighbor says they go after the largest sheep they can find, and eat the soft innards, leaving the rest. They were very loud last night, and there's not much food -- deer carcasses from careless hunters -- and so tonight the sheep have been moved close to the house. And the rifle has been moved close to the bed.