Goat train!

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by

Kate Davies Designs
in ,

Hello from Islay where we are having a fantastic (and very productive) time! I am so pleased with the photographs that I (rather than Tom) shot this morning that I just had to share a couple with you. As you know, I’ve got a bit of a thing about wild goats (so much so that I designed a pattern in their homage) – but have so far found these elusive creatures a wee bit tricky to photograph. Happily The Oa (where we are currently staying) abounds with wild goats, so I spent this morning goat-stalking with Tom’s camera, and was lucky enough to get a few really good shots, including one of this magnificent creature . . .

goatbuddy

. . . together with his buddies, ascending the cliffside, in an orderly GOAT TRAIN!

goattrain

well, that’s enough goat-related excitement for one day!

Hope your week is starting well

Kate xx

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Comments

42 responses to “Goat train!”

  1. Karen Halchuk Avatar
    Karen Halchuk

    Hi Kate and Tom,
    Thanks for letting us climb aboard the goat train and share in the beauty of their travels beside the sea and land. Reminds me of how one can travel difficult terrain in life when fear is set aside and we use the gifts we carry within us. Looking forward to your next shared wonders.

    In your adventures.

    Reply
  2. José Avatar
    José

    Wow ! So beautiful !
    ( and can one ever have enough goat-related excitement ? )

    Reply
  3. Julie Avatar
    Julie

    I love your goat train!!…and how they blend in with their surroundings!!
    Julie

    Reply
  4. The Greyt Knitter Avatar
    The Greyt Knitter

    AWESOME PICS! They are just beautiful, especially in B&W!

    Reply
  5. Trevor Avatar
    Trevor

    Beautiful photog’s! Thank you. Stunning creatures. Their single line procession through the rocks/cliffs is amazing.

    Off topic of your incredible photographs – Do you know the Coast Salish of the N.A. Pacific NW used to harvest mountain goat hair as well keep a special (now extinct – perhaps Japanese origins) breed of curly haired white dogs and use their fibre in their amazing, woven blankets? The fibre was treated with diatomaceous earth, so pests could not live in it. Thick yarn was spun using huge spindle whorls. The woven blankets were one of their most valuable possessions. Both functional and ceremonial. With European settlement the Coast Salish population was decimated, the weaving tradition was replaced with knitting with sheep’s wool (Scottish Settlers/Missionaries taught knitting). Old sewing machine treadles were adapted to produce Indian Head Spinners used to spin thick yarn. This evolved into the Cowichan knitting tradition.
    Working with Wool: A Coast Salish Legacy and the Cowichan Sweater by Sylvia Olsen is an excellent book.

    http://elmhill.ca/Coast-Salish-Wool-Dogs

    https://www.google.ca/search?q=coast+salish+wool+dog&biw=970&bih=542&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjW7cbt4J7PAhXB0h4KHUj7B_QQ_AUIBigB#imgrc=ZXI9BU3G9XHhwM%3A

    https://www.google.ca/search?q=coast+salish+wool+dog&biw=970&bih=542&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjW7cbt4J7PAhXB0h4KHUj7B_QQ_AUIBigB#imgrc=ZXI9BU3G9XHhwM%3A

    I’m working on a Shetland Fair Isle Vest using 7 natural shades of Jamieson’s of Shetland Spindrift and J&S Shetland Heritage Naturals. Very please so far (slow knitter…).

    Cheers,
    Trevor

    Reply
    1. Kate Davies Avatar
      Kate Davies

      This is fascinating, Trevor – thanks so much! I shall track down this book

      Reply
  6. Cat Fox Avatar
    Cat Fox

    Now I’ve got “Goat Train” running through my head. It is otherwise known as “Peace Train” by Cat Stevens… thank you, Kate. ;)

    Reply
    1. Gretchen (aka stashdragon) Avatar
      Gretchen (aka stashdragon)

      Funny – I hear it as “People all over the world, join hands. Get on the goat train, goat train” (original words: “Love train”)!

      Reply
  7. louisescollay Avatar
    louisescollay

    you need to be-friend one so that you can comb him! A new Buachaille blend!! haha

    Reply
  8. elizabeth kay booth Avatar
    elizabeth kay booth

    Those are some really dramatic shots! How exciting to see the goats in their natural habitat!

    Reply
  9. Chris Avatar
    Chris

    Love your goat pictures!

    Reply
  10. Alina Avatar
    Alina

    Amazing photography!

    Reply
  11. lizbtree Avatar
    lizbtree

    Wow, these are dramatic shots! Do you, by any chance, know what sort of rock these adventurous goats are climbing? I would guess it is metamorphic, but that is as far as I would go. I agree with Celeste above — I am inspired to finish my Goat Mitts as well — and if it were a bit cooler here in Port Townsend, WA, I would put my Goat Hat on! Can’t wait to see the results of this latest expedition of yours.

    Reply
  12. laurals11 Avatar
    laurals11

    Oh the Oa , a favourite place of mine. So many wildlife delights. Love your photos !

    Reply
  13. Stef Avatar
    Stef

    Great pictures and the goat train is my favourite =D

    Reply
  14. Lotta Avatar
    Lotta

    Beautiful! 😀

    Reply
  15. Susan Avatar
    Susan

    Love those shots!!! I too could use a photo of those magnificent creatures! Thank you.

    Reply
  16. Becoming... Avatar
    Becoming…

    Love the black and white!

    Reply
  17. Awfulknitter Avatar
    Awfulknitter

    You’ve given me an earworm: “People around the world/Join hands/Get on board the goat train, goat train!”

    Reply
    1. Tamara Avatar
      Tamara

      I love it!

      Reply
  18. Linda A Avatar
    Linda A

    I’m struck by how they blend with the hillside – a natural camouflage against predators.
    And, talk about the “sure-footed” goat! They are amazing.
    Great photos!

    Reply
  19. Iris Mathers Avatar
    Iris Mathers

    Hi Kate,
    I visited Islay with my husband in 2009.
    We stayed at a modern longhouse “Samchair” not far from Oa and we saw the goats too. we were told that they are quite partial to seaweed
    They are amazing but I am sure that you found out that it is important to avoid getting down wind of them.
    Your photographs are great!
    I hope that you found time to visit the rest of the island. It is not the easiest place to get to but is well worth the effort.

    Reply
  20. Tisha Avatar
    Tisha

    Now not only do I want prints of Tom’s photos, I would love a print of that goat train! My favorite hikes here in Colorado are the ones where there are mountain goats. While the ones you photographed look similar, those here in the Rocky Mountains are all white. It makes me so happy to pick little tufts of shed wool from bushes along our route.

    Reply
  21. Karen Wadsworth Avatar
    Karen Wadsworth

    I love goats too! Amazing photos.

    Reply
  22. OneFrenchWord Avatar
    OneFrenchWord

    I love the rather harsh contrast in your last picture. It looks almost like an engraving.

    Reply
  23. Jane Avatar
    Jane

    Love the photos, absolutely delightful!

    Reply
  24. denisehayes Avatar
    denisehayes

    The photos are fabulous now you just need to catch one, shear it and make a hap😀 I’ve loved the photos on Instagram and the place where you are staying looks amazing. Thank you for sharing both you and Tom are very generous. DX

    Reply
  25. Claire Avatar
    Claire

    Wonderful photographs! I was excited just to see them in the distance earlier this year, as we walked out to the American Monument.

    Reply
  26. Rita Avatar
    Rita

    Hi Kate. I hope you enjoy your time on Islay, Port Charlotte is my homeland although I have been in Ayrshire for 58 years, but go home as often as I can. The pictures are fabulous and the Oa has had them there for years. Enjoy the island and looking forward to your next collection soon. Hugs Rita xxxx

    Reply
  27. ElaineChicago Avatar
    ElaineChicago

    Thanks so much for the trip!! They are beautiful!

    Reply
  28. Katherine @ fiberandsustenance Avatar
    Katherine @ fiberandsustenance

    Such amazing and special pictures – thank you for sharing with us! Hope you enjoy the rest of your trip!

    Reply
  29. Susan Avatar
    Susan

    Incredible photos! Kate, if you haven’t seen these before, then you’re in for a treat. I think that this link is still live. Amazing climbing and flying wild goats, enjoy!
    https://weather.com/photos/news/mountain-goats-how-do-they-do-it

    Reply
  30. la vie de Praerie Avatar
    la vie de Praerie

    Wonderful photographs of these exotic looking creatures!

    regards,
    Jeanne

    Reply
  31. frances Avatar
    frances

    Kate, the black and white images are fantastic. The subject matter of the goat train is interesting, but so is the texture and abstract composition of the imagery.

    Just lovely! I would like to visit Islay myself some day.

    Best wishes.
    Frances

    Reply
  32. Heidi Cohen Avatar
    Heidi Cohen

    Kate–The photos are beautiful. Look forward to meeting you next week IRL at Shetland Wool Week. Happy knitting, Heidi Cohen (aka KnittedYarns)

    Reply
  33. rockandwool Avatar
    rockandwool

    flippin’ amaZing —

    thanks for taking us with you!

    Reply
  34. Cristi Avatar
    Cristi

    Most of my friends are mystified at my fascination and love of goats. So great to know there is a whole group of you with the same (good) taste out there! Thank you for the wonderful photos!

    Reply
  35. Betty Green Avatar
    Betty Green

    I too, love wild goats. These photos blew me away.

    Reply
  36. Celeste Avatar
    Celeste

    Wow, what great luck to see and photograph these goats! I am a huge goat fan, have had them for years, they have so much personality and make great hiking companions. Now I’m inspired to finally finish my Goat Mitts which are 85 percent done and languishing. Love your pictures!

    Reply
  37. Heidi Avatar
    Heidi

    Very nice indeed!

    Reply
  38. Geraldine Avatar
    Geraldine

    Wow! The way the goats’ coats wave to compliment the movement in the rocks is great. Great photos.

    Reply
  39. thecrazysheeplady Avatar
    thecrazysheeplady

    Gorgeous!

    Reply

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