Every year, mid February at Ron and Ann Fay's Rising Meadow Farm in Grays Chapel, North Carolina means sheep shearing, and this was the week. Ann and Ron are fortunate to have master blade shearer Kevin Ford come in to do the job. Kevin is world class (he's a member of the US Blade Shearing Team that competes in the World championships in New Zealand) and it is amazing and fascinating to watch him work. Blade shearing is done with hand powered shears, no electricity here. Sharp blades, care and finesse is the order of the day. Kevin was assisted this year by local shearer Joy Moore. While Kevin and Joy worked the sheep, Ann with the help of friends and neighbors, inspected, cleaned and weighed the fleeces which will be on sale this Saturday.
(Photographs copyright 2012 by Dan Routh)
That is really cool. I like your photos.
ReplyDeleteThanks Nika. You are very kind.
ReplyDeleteGreat shots, Dan!
ReplyDeleteIt was a pleasure to meet you at Rising Meadow. Hope to see you again soon!
Mustapha (The Sweeper) :)
Mustapha, thank you for your very kind remarks. I certainly enjoyed watching you guys work. It is always facinating to see Kevin shear.
ReplyDelete