28 January 2009

Herdwick Sheep

Back in January I came across these special sheep in the Lake District. The local breed is pretty distinctive and they are known as 'Herdwicks'.



There was something about these guys that was so cool. Maybe not the brightest looking sheep, but certainly amongst the most endearing!

For details of the Herdwick see: http://www.herdwick-sheep.com/


Post Script [June 2010]

I take it all back! Who says that sheep are not intelligent?

Recent scientific recognition studies have proven that sheep have developed visual memories and indeed have the capacity to emotionally recognise and remember the specific faces of up to 50 of their woolly companions.

See: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/1641463.stm

Great uncle Pliny was obviously not aware of this fact when he attributed the ability of facial recognition purely within the capacity of men:

“The human features and countenance, although composed of but some ten parts or little more, are so fashioned that among so many thousands of men there are no two in existence who cannot be distinguished from one another.”

[Pliny, Natural Historia, Book VII.8]


Go Sheep!!!! I will never mock thee again ...