A Visit To Alpacas at Windy Hill Ranch

I had the most glorious morning. I went to visit the Alpacas at Windy Hill Ranch.
It was a lovely drive along the coast and then on country roads of farms and ranches. 
It was beautiful. So many of the farms now use windmills in their fields which is
wonderful to see. The long narrow road that leads to Alpacas at Windy Hill is dotted
with orange groves, fields of sunflowers, queen anne’s lace and vineyards.

And then, I saw what I was looking for...

I pulled in the driveway and quickly jumped out of my car and walked toward the
pastures. The first thing I saw was this mama and her new baby.

I was very fortunate because Cindy, who owns and runs the ranch, was right there and
told me that the baby had been born just a few minutes earlier. Cindy is great!  She
educated me about the Alpacas and their babies which are called cria. I was a bit shy
about intruding on a new mother and her cria so Cindy picked up one of the little
crias and brought her over to me...

The little baby was so soft and delicate and her mama watched every move we made.

Cindy said I could walk all around the land and into the pastures. She didn't have to
twist my arm. I immediately began to wander around.  Here are a few of my new
friends...

While I was walking around and taking pictures, Cindy came over to tell me that a
mama alpaca was in the process of giving birth and if I hurried over to the next
pasture I would be able to witness the wonderful event.  I was so excited. Cindy’s
husband Doug was in charge of this delivery and he was fabulous.

Mama is cleaning her newborn...

Just ten minutes later...

She's ready for her closeup now...

Forty minutes later she wanders

over to meet everyone...

.
Several crias have been born this month. Here are a few...

Well, it was such a lovely day but it’s time to say goodbye for now...

It’s so difficult to say goodbye.


Cindy, thank you so much for letting me visit and educating me about these gentle and
sweet animals.

You can read more about Alpacas at Windy Hill right HERE.  Be sure to scroll down to
read Cindy’s story about how she came to raise Alpacas.
This is a woman who made her dreams come true!

Thank you again to Cindy and Doug.