Breeding Sheep
On saturday I helped our new friends in Whitefish, Montana; Dick and Diane Ward bring six ewes from their Merino sheep flock to a farm in Kalispell where they will be bred to two rams.
Before we transported the sheep I helped Diane trim their hooves by flipping the sheep upside down into a sheep chair and then I would hold them in place while Diane clipped. This was a very funny process to watch (I’ve never seen anything quite like an upside-down sheep before) and I’m here to tell you that sheep are heavier than they look.
Dick and the dogs (Boarder Collies Fin and Meg) loaded the sheep into the trailer.
When we arrived at the breeder we met John & Carol Steitz who were also dropping off two ewes and helping to move the rams into position. One of their sheep needed a new jacket which required catching and holding the sheep (Coco) while the jacket was changed (twice). The sheep jackets come in various sizes notated by letters of the alphabet with the smallest sizes being A and B they get larger from there and so a sheep jacket will need to be changed as it grows and as its fleece comes in. The jacket keeps the fleece clean and protects it from damage throughout the year.
The final part of the process involved bringing the rams to meet the ewes. This requires planning and man power as the rams can be very strong, territorial, and dangerous if the proper precautions aren’t taken. John and Carol worked together to lead the more temperamental of the two rams Dudley out of his pen and into the pasture with the ewes. On the way he was “gooped up” using a red paint-paste substance on his chest so that the breeders will be able to tell which ewes he mated with on which days allowing a more accurate prediction for when each ewe can be expected to give birth (it happens nearly 5 months to-the-day after conception).
Dudley smelled the ladies and got right to work as we were on our way out.
Welcome To Whitefish
As soon as Meredith and I made it to whitefish we were taken in by some friends-of-friends-of-friends Dick and Diane Ward. We have since moved into a winter condo rental in town but it was amazing to stay in the guest cabin on the Ward’s farm for the first week here in whitefish.
Everyone we have met here has been very helpful, positive, supportive, and enthusiastic – I am under the impression that “welcome to whitefish” must be a trademark slogan because not only is it written everywhere but i have heard people say it more times than I can count.
Sunrise from the cabin – Whitefish, MT
Meredith and a Sheep – Whitefish, MT
A wooly greeting on our first night in – Whitefish, MT
Diane feeding the sheep on our first night, the flock is normally free-range but due to a recent visit from a grizzly bear they had been kept in a pen for the past few days for protection. – Whitefish, MT
Meredith and I were helping to move the sheep in for the night to keep them safe from the grizzly, Meredith got dragged through the mud by a sheep that REALLY wanted to get away.
Dick leading one of the sheep in for the night.
Diane letting the sheep out in the morning – – Whitefish, MT
Diane feeding the chickens in the morning
After a week in Whitefish, MT I attended an Avalanche workshop held here in town. Several speakers throughout the day discussed weather conditions, as well as avalanche forecasting and avoidance.
Road Trip to Montana
Meredith and I had a great road trip across the country on US-2 from Montpelier, VT to Whitefish, MT. Here are some of the highlights in no particular order. We drove a lot, took our time, made some planned detours, and some that were spur of the moment at the advice of strangers we met along the way.
Most of the road trip just looked like this
Lake Winnibigoshish Minnesota
The Big Fish at Lake Winnibigoshish Minnesota
The Big Fish at Lake Winnibigoshish Minnesota
Lake Winnibigoshish Minnesota
Grahams Island State Park, ND
Devil’s Lake, ND. as seen from Grahams Island State Park, ND
Elk in Rut at the Slipery Ann Elk Viewing Area at the Charles M Russell National Wildlife Refuge in Montana
Elk in Rut at the Slipery Ann Elk Viewing Area at the Charles M Russell National Wildlife Refuge in Montana
Paul Bunyan and Babe in Bemidji
Creepiest public pool ever – Grand Forks, ND
Geographic Center of North America, Rugby, ND
Town of Fort Peck, MT. Parks closed due to government shutdown. We toured around anyway…
Meredith modeling at the Charles M Russell National Wildlife Refuge in Montana
One of our stops mid-way through the road trip, Meredith was eager to get out and stretch her legs.
Meredith and I finally made it to Montana and posed by the tiny welcome sign at the eastern border of Montana on Rout-2
Visiting the Van Zeeland family in Athelstane, Wisconsin
Visiting the Van Zeeland family in Athelstane, Wisconsin
Meredith’s aunt Kathey took our picture while we were visiting the Van Zeeland family in Athelstane, Wisconsin
We’re Moving to MONTANA
Meredith Whitney and I are moving to Whitefish Montana. Whitefish is just to the west of Glacier National Park in the northwest part of the state near the Canadian border. We are very excited about the adventure and we will be hitting the road in our two Honda Civics on Saturday (sept. 28) … That’s four days from now. We will be taking one of the most northern routs starting through Canada and continuing along US-2 once we cross back into the US. I will be continuing to work as a freelance news and sports photographer and Meredith will be working on forestry and conservation projects. Follow us on Facebook, twitter @adamcaira Instagram @adamcaira and @molisol and on my blog here at adamcaira.com/blog
Vermont AM Golf Championship – Barre Country Club
Evan Russell of the Country Club of Vermont lead the pack at the end of all three days of play clinching the win at the Vermont AM Golf Championship held at the Barre Country Club in Plainfield, Vermont.
Photo by Adam Caira
Casey Komline hits out of the bunker on the 12 hole during the second day of play at the Vermont Golf Association 2013 Vermont Amateur Championship at the Barre Country Club on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2013.
Photo by Adam Caira
Day 1 leader Evan Russell watches his tee shot on the first hole during the second day of play at the Vermont Golf Association 2013 Vermont Amateur Championship at the Barre Country Club on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2013.
Photo by Adam Caira
Garren Poirier lines up his shot on the first green during the second day of play at the Vermont Golf Association 2013 Vermont Amateur Championship at the Barre Country Club on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2013.
Two River Rescues in Two Weeks
Heavy rainfall in mid to late June meant high water levels in rivers and lakes and fast moving dangerous conditions. In the course of my work for the Times Argus I photographed two river rescues in two weeks.
The first rescue had an 18 year old woman stranded in a steep gorge with fast moving water. Rescuers were able to reach her and help her down stream to safety.
Photo by Adam Caira
Rescuers from Berlin Rescue work to reach 18 year old Katey Hough of Northfield who became stranded on a steep bank of the fast moving Dog River in Northfield just south Ellie’s Farm Market on Wednesday, June 26, 2013.
Photo by Adam Caira
Rescuers from Berlin Rescue and Northfield Rescue work to save 18 year old Katey Hough of Northfield from the fast moving Dog River in Northfield just south Ellie’s Farm Market on Wednesday, June 26, 2013. Hough was at the river with her husband Charles Hough III and her brother Will Dickenson when she was swept about 1000 feet down river from where they were swimming. Hough sustained abrasions during the ordeal and was transported to Central Vermont Medical Center.
The second rescue was not as successful, here is a short excerpt from the Times Argus Article written By Eric Blaisdell:
BARRE — Police say a teenager died Tuesday afternoon in Barre after two swimmers went over the falls on the Stevens Branch.
The names and ages of the boys were not released, but police did say one died and the other “seemed fine” Tuesday evening.
Chief Michael Stevens of Barre Town said seven “kids” were at the top of the falls off Bridge Street. One of the swimmers successfully crossed the rushing water, but a second swimmer was caught by the current and pulled over the falls. Stevens said a third swimmer tried to help the boy who went over but was pulled over the falls as well. Both were taken from the scene by ambulance.
Stevens said the water in the river was high and fast at the time of the incident.
A follow-up article the from July 4 reads:
The teenager who drowned Tuesday at the falls on the Stevens Branch has been identified as Jesse Thomas Belcher, 16, of Barre.
A death notice from the Hooker and Whitcomb Funeral Home said Belcher died while trying to save a friend.
Photo by Adam Ciara
The first of two victims walks to an ambulance on Parkside Terrace in Barre. Rescue crews removed two teens from the Stevens Branch just below Spaulding falls in Barre Vt. on Tuesday, July 2, 2013. Crews accessed the scene by cutting a path from Parkside Terrace near the Barre City Pool.
Photo by Adam Ciara
Rescuers prepare a gurney on Parkside Terrace in Barre in preparation for the second of two victims. Rescue crews removed two teens from the Stevens Branch just below Spaulding falls in Barre Vt. on Tuesday, July 2, 2013. Crews accessed the scene by cutting a path from Parkside Terrace near the Barre City Pool.
Photo by Adam Ciara
Bystanders embrace on Parkside Terrace in Barre. Rescue crews removed two men from the Stevens Branch just below Spaulding falls in Barre Vt. on Tuesday, July 2, 2013. Crews accessed the scene by cutting a path from Parkside Terrace near the Barre City Pool.
Thunder Road
I have been to photograph two or three races this year at Thunder Road International SpeedBowl in Barre, Vermont this summer for the Times Argus. I used to go to the races at this track occasionally with my parents when I was younger and it has been a lot of fun to get to go shoot racing from time to time.
Photo by Adam Caira
Kolton Williams, 5, of Georgia, Vt., plays with a toy car with his Grandfather Dick Bradley, at left, of Randolph, and his mother, Sarah Williams, at right, of Georgia, Vt., during the Late Model semi-feature at Thunder Road in Barre, Vt. on Thursday, June 20, 2013.
Photo by Adam Caira
#59 Scott Maynard and #19 Marvin Johnson get tangled up on the front stretch early in the Street Stock Feature at Thunder Road in Barre, Vt. on Thursday, June 20, 2013.
Photo by Adam Caira
#94 Brendan Moodie does donuts on the back stretch during his victory lap after winning the Tiger Feature at Thunder Road in Barre, Vt. on Thursday, June 20, 2013.
Photo by Adam Caira
Randy Johnson of Barre, Vt., catches some air after hitting the wall in turn 4 during the second Rough Riders race of the night at Thunder Road in Barre, Vt. on Thursday, July 18, 2013.
Storm Damage – Marshfield and Plainfield Vermont 2013
A powerful summer storm swept through Plainfield, Marshfield, Duxbury, and beyond on Sunday, June 2, 2013. The high winds and heavy rains caused extensive damage and widespread power outages in many of the surrounding rural communities.
Photo by Adam Caira
Ansel Quintin poses for a portrait with his 2007 Honda Civic that was crushed by a fallen tree on Gilman St. in Marshfield on Monday, June 6, 2013. Quintin was standing in the front doorway of his rented trailer home watching the storm when the tree fell not quite reaching the trailer.
Photo by Adam Caira
A car slows as it passes a home damaged by a wind-blown tree on Hollister Hill Rd in Plainfield Vt. on Sunday, June 2, 2013. According to neighbors the home is owned by Leslie Rabins who also owns One More Time in Montpelier. Neighbor David Ertel who lives two houses down on the opposite side of the road was home when the storm hit, several cedar trees fell in his yard in addition to one that fell across Hollister Hill Rd. Ertel and his neighbors were able to use a chainsaw and a tractor to remove the tree blocking the road, one of many that fell on Hollister Hill.
Photo by Adam Caira
L-r Dave Mulligan and his children Bride Mulligan, 10, Anthony Mulligan, 8, and Raphael Mulligan, 4, work to cut and remove fallen trees from the property where they live along with Dave’s parents on Hollister Hill Rd. in Plainfield on Monday, June 3, 2013. Dave’s mother Alice Mulligan, not pictured, recounts how during the storm it was raining and blowing so hard “We couldn’t see from our house to our barn.” some 60 feet away.
Photo by Adam Caira
A utility worker attaches a line to the top of a broken utility pole on Upper Depot Rd. in Marshfield on Monday, June 3, 2013.
Photo by Adam Caira
A line is down resting on the sign for Groton on Rout 232 (New Discovery Rd) headed out of Marshfield, Vt. on Monday, June 3, 2013.
Mountaineers Baseball and Spaulding Softball
A couple of images from Spaulding High School Softball this spring and a couple of images from the Vermont Mountaineers this summer.
Photo by Adam Caira
Spaulding softball players watch from the dugout as one of their teammates bats in in the third inning of their game against St. Johnsbury Academy in Barre, Vt. on Tuesday, June 4, 2013.
Photo by Adam Caira
Spaulding’s Stefanie Bullock chases a home run ball back to the fence during their game against St. Johnsbury Academy in Barre, Vt. on Tuesday, June 4, 2013.
Photo by Adam Caira
Vermont Mountaineers pitcher #27 Trey Oest tags Holyoke Blue Sox’s Spencer Brann out at third after a run-down in the 4th inning at Recreation Field in Montpelier, Vermont, on Wednesday, June 26, 2013.
Photo by Adam Caira
Vermont Mountaineers’ Mike Vigliarolo ducks a wild pitch during the third inning against the Holyoke Blue Sox at Recreation Field in Montpelier, Vt., on Tuesday, July 2, 2013.
The Times Argus – Summer Assignments and Features
Here is a small selection of the single-shot assignments and features I’ve shot recently for The Barre-Montpelier Times Argus
Photo by Adam Caira
Tyler Kirkpatrick of Moretown paddles with loons on Berlin Pond on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2013. The city of montpelier is looking to block the use of internal combustion engines, such as those used in power augers, and all ice fishing shanties on the pond that serves as the main water supply for the capitol city.
Photo by Adam Caira
Graduates wait as their classmates receive diplomas at the U-32 2013 commencement Friday, June 14, 2013
Photo by Adam Caira
Officers and Firefighters salute the flag at Barre’s City Hall Park as it is lowered to half-mast in honor of Officer Michael Zemanek on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2013.
Photo By Adam Caira
Mike Carbonneau, a licenced funeral director at Pruneau-Polli Funeral Home re-paints the yellow curb in front of the Funeral Home at the corner of Summer Street and West Street in Barre, Vt. on Tuesday, June 4, 2013. Carbonneau says that when he isn’t busy conducting funerals he often spends his time performing maintanance and keeping the property looking clean and sharp. He hopes that any small contributions that he and the funeral home can make will help to keep downtown Barre looking its best.
Photo by Adam Caira
Brandy Perez, far right, and her husband, Greg Perez, center, launch a model rocket with their children, Sophia Perez, 7, left, and Jason Perez, 4, center, at the Barre Town Recreation Fields in Barre, Vermont, on Thursday, June 27, 2013.
Downtown Montpelier is illuminated by the fading sunlight on Tuesday evening, Aug. 6, 2013.
Photo by Adam Caira
“Fireside Book” by Marilyn Gillis of Burlington, Vt. and other artist books are part of the new exhibit “There’s No Place like Home” – Artist books and fine bindings presented by the Book Arts Guild of Vermont at Studio Place Arts on North Main St in Barre, Vt. photographed on Tuesday, June 4, 2013.
Photo by Adam Caira
l-r Jon Kilian, a sophomore at Montpelier High School and Matt Mclane, Coordinator of Community Based Learning at Montpelier High School work to find the center point on the newly erected rafters of a hoop greenhouse behind Montpelier HIgh School. The structure will be used to grow tomatoes and peppers, the ingredients for salsa.
Photo by Adam Caira
Kristina Applegate, founder of Kids Share, poses for a portrait in her home studio in East Montpelier along with two works of art she is preparing for a display at Lost Nation Theatre and a drawing-in-progress for her upcoming book release, on Sunday, June 2, 2013.
