Peaceful lambing, peaceful lamb
One day and several hours’ sleep after I watched a Soay lamb born in the moonlight, I captured this tranquil scene. Not a picturesque background, I admit. It is a jug, after all. But what a calm mother and baby. And it turns out this little guy will be a breeder for us one day since he is the product of the “line cross” portion of our conservation breeding program. We haven’t picked out a name for him yet. I have submitted a request to the Exceptions Subcommittee of the Saltmarsh Ranch Soay Sheep Naming Board to let me name him “Luna” rather than the name of a small town in County Kent (this year’s “proper” naming theme). The Board does not meet to consider the requests for exception until we are all done with lambing. In the meantime, he’s Luna as far as I’m concerned.
Soay lamb resting with its mother
For now …
Remind me never to mess with the naming authorities! This just in from a loyal fan, alert reader, and dedicated Soay breeder: “Technically, Luna is a female name: if you want a male name associated with the moon, may I suggest 1) Mani, the Norse personification of the moon and brother of Sol, the sun, or 2) Chandra, the original Indian god of the moon, who was also considered a fertility god. End of dorky mythology lecture.”
Additional suggestions welcome, of course. Priscilla