Lambs, Rams & Ewes

Pineland Farms in New Gloucester, Maine was shearing their sheep this week.  In spring, the sheep get their warm wool coat removed before hot summer weather.

Pineland is an educational farm located on 5,000 acres of rolling fields and forest. Its a non profit with a mission to encourage farming in southern Maine.

When we arrived clouds were casting patterns of light and shadows across the high open meadows. 

Sketchbook, pen & watercolor  - 4x6 Rives BFK

It doesn't look like at all like a Maine farm with its white fences, it reminds me of horse farms in  Kentucky bluegrass country. 

The barns are all brand new. No crumbling antique barns on this spread.  

 We headed directly to the sheep pastures and barn. The stars of the moment are the new born lambs! 

A couple of moms had triplets. They spray paint a number on them to make sure everyone is getting enough milk.

New lambs are born daily. They stay with their moms in the barn.  

Its still too cold for them to be outside. We are having an unusually chilly spring.  Sketchbook 6x8 

This little freckle faced cutie was friendly and curious. She kept coming over to me while I was sketching. 

These new families will stay in the barn and until it gets warmer and the lambs are sturdy and strong.    

The sheep were all shorn this week. The sheep shearers are in great demand. They travel from farm to farm shearing the sheep.

I like the black faced sheep. They have lovely almond shaped hazel eyes. Sketchbook, 8x10.

Since this was our first visit to the farm I wanted to make sure we checked out everything so we went next to visit the cow barns.

Sketchbook, 4x6 Pen & watercolor on Rives BFK

Every barn has a sign in front of it.  

Most of the cows were in the barn laying down after lunch. A couple of big bruisers were out side.

Sketchbook, 6x8 Rives BFK

This silo is the only thing left from the original farm buildings on the property. 

It was cold. The wind was blowing about 40 mph so I stood in the shade and sketched . 

Sketch book 4x6  Rives BFK

A brand new tractor was parked in front of the hay barn.

The rolling meadows are trimmed with white fences. 

Sketchbook 6x6 Rives BFK

The clouds dropped a bit of rain for a few minutes then the sun came back out. 

It was so great to visit a place that is focused on supporting the farms of the future and locally grown  food.

Sketchbook, 6x6 Rives BFK.