Playing with Hamilton

Getting acquainted.

Starlight's gregarious buckling, Liam, was busy making friends, or at least acquaintances, with our alpaca Hamilton this afternoon. After all, an alpaca in the "cush" position provides a suitable play surface for a newborn kid. The fiber is deep and soft. Kids can jump up and down without risk of injury. As long as an alpaca will sit still for the behavior, a kid will take advantage of the opportunity.

Hamilton's patience was short-lived.

Liam picked out Hamilton promptly when his dam brought them down to the front of the home pasture. His sibling, Harriett Ann, stuck closer to their dam, but Liam was all about having fun. I find it amusing that Hamilton, the alpaca who loves to chase anything he can get to run or fly, will sit still for the antics of a goat kid. Indeed, I think he was taken aback at first by the new kid's forward actions.

Gregs looks on as the young whippersnapper gets his comeuppance.

Shortly, though, his head snaked up in that, "I'm pissed now and am thinking about spitting," gesture that the little goat has yet to appreciate. Luckily for Liam, Hamilton kept his cool and did not spit at the little fella, but he did stand up--making it quite impossible for Liam to jump onto him again for the time being. Game over.