Texas Longhorn

Texas Longhorn -- Pipe Spring National Monument, AZ
Canon EOS Rebel T5i,  EF 17-40mm f/4 L USM, 1/125s, f/9, ISO: 100

One of the coolest things about Pipe Spring is the effort given to make the place feel like a step back in time.  A vegetable garden and livestock add to the illusion.  The grounds have a corral with a couple of horses and a couple of longhorns.  The cattle weren't too into visiting with people when we were there, but the ranger said sometimes they can be downright friendly.

Not a Bear

Cow -- Bryce Canyon National Park, UT
Canon SX40 HS

Before heading down this trail at Bryce Canyon a couple of years ago I had noticed a warning at the Visitor's Center that a bear had been seen in this area.  On the trail I saw what looked like a bear track (front paw) in the mud on the trail.  The trail led down to the rim of the amphitheater and was rather secluded.  I think I passed one set of hikers the entire two plus hours I was out there.

After taking a bunch of pictures I turned and saw a flash of brown on the hillside.  The bear!  I panicked.  My back was to the cliff there so was nowhere for me to run except toward the bear.  A few seconds were just a blur as I looked for a way out.  Then I looked back up the hill again.  It wasn't a bear at all, it was this cow.  Phew.

She looked like a real sweetie, even after coming down to walk the same trail I was walking.  I gave her a wide berth anyway as I passed her.

I never did see that bear.

Bull on a Cliff

Angus Bull -- Jenner, CA
Canon PowerShot SX40 HS

I like to think of this as our Northern California defense system against invading forces from the Pacific.  Well, a prototype anyway.  We line the coastline with a bull every hundred yards or so and who's going to dare invade?  Cheaper than guns. too.

Dairy Cows

Holstein Cow -- Point Reyes National Seashore, CA
Canon EOS Rebel T5i,  EF 17-40mm f/4L USM, 1/640s, f/5.6, ISO: 100

I took Pongo for a drive to Point Reyes today to see the cows.  These two were closer to the fence for a while, at least until Pongo got too excited and barked at them.  He loves seeing the cows but he gets a little intimidated when they're very close, I think.

Cute Cows

Jersey Cows -- Gustine, CA
Canon EOS Rebel T5i, EF-S 55-250mm IS II, 1/640s, f/4, ISO: 100

On drives with Pongo I often stop so he can have a good look at the cows.  He's crazy about cows.  We've stopped a couple of times at a farm near Gustine where these cute cows gather near near the fence to get a gander at Pongo.  Yesterday when we stopped he was very excited and nervous, too nervous to look at the cows.  They were certainly interested in him, though.  Silly dog.