Maternity Ward - Maraekakaho Style

There I was chatting on the phone while sitting on my back steps and, through the garden trellis and the row of pines beyond, I could see a cow and what looked like a calf on the ground. I finished my call and went closer. Sure enough there on the other side of the wire fence was a newly born calf with its mother clicking it dry. Couldn't believe my eyes. And, funnily enough, I recalled hearing a very strange noise a few minutes prior to answering the phone. Being the country girl I am turning into I didn't take that much notice. I have learned that these cows, big brown ones, make really weird noises. But, in retrospect, it was mum in the throes of calf-birth.

Made me realize how capable animals are compared to use humans. She separated herself from the herd, under a shady tree, and went about the business of becoming a parent. I stood transfixed for some moments quietly reassuring mum that I wasn't going to come any closer. Mum was giving off low, protective grunts and the baby was desperately trying to stand up.

After some time on her own, with baby wobbling around trying to stand, the rest of the herd gathered around her. It was like the aunts visiting the maternity ward after word got around that the baby had arrived. Amongst the 'aunts' there was either a dad or an uncle. He came on over but he made a beeline for me. I checked out his size, his "package", his stare and the relatively frail fence between us and made a wise decision to back off. He was HUGE. I watched from inside the house and noticed that, once the calf looked like it was going to make it in the standing stakes, that herd moved away again.

With relief and sense of bravado I went back out again to watch the baby's progress. He finally got onto all four wobbly legs and then tried, in vain, to have a suckle. He had the theory down pat but the practice and sense of direction left a lot to be desired. You could not miss her udder - bursting it was. I could see and hear the calf suckling at her underbelly. He got an A for effort but, in the time I stood there, no cigar for success.

THE BEST......Just being there.

THE WORST.......No matter what species gives birth it is NOT a dignified experience for the mother. I continue to tell myself it's Nature but where was the midwife with the clean up gang?

I'M LEARNING.....when you get stared down from a boy cow take evasive action.