Tag: goats

How Much Can 1,000 Goats Eat?

Friday, July 27, 2018   930 am, 75 degrees

goats, Fair Oaks Bridge, Bannister Park, American RiverMore than 1,000 goats crowd a field overrun with dry weeds and grass alongside the access road to the American River Parkway near Jim’s Bridge. Sacramento County employees brought 1,000 goats in trailers. Men are busy installing the wired fence enclosure as I pass by. Goats will munch on weeds for the next 10 days. Today they look bewildered. “What are we doing here?” Most of them have not started eating yet.

 

rafts, American River, Bannister Park, Fair Oaks, water, play, fun, recreationWhen I arrive minutes later at Jim’s Bridge, nearly 100 rafters are waiting. Their rafts ready to launch for a day of fun on the river and shooting water cannons.

rafts, American River, water, fun, play, summer, Fair Oaks, Jim's Bridge

 

 

 

 

Six Canada Geese are gathered near the boat ramp by Fair Oaks Bridge for a morning meeting. Shortly after I arrive, they rise out of the water and fly away.  I will watch to identify their movements next time I stand closer and discover how they lift themselves out of the water and take flight.

Goats are Back!

Friday, June 12, 2020   7:30 am  64 degrees

goats, American River, Fair Oaks Bridge, weeds
Look closely for the brown goat in the back climbing the tree to find more to munch.

A cool and beautiful walk along the river this morning.

Goats returned to eat the weeds along the American River Parkway. I first saw them on a Friday afternoon  behind a series of fences alongside the bike trail nearby Bannister Park that leads to the American River.  Hundreds of them crowded in a very small space! They stay for a week and move on.

Second week they were eating weeds on top of Fair Oaks Bluff. Goats pictured in the photo are eating weeds alongside Bridge Street. Today the owner was loading all of them back into their trailer on their way to the next meal.

Fair Oaks Bridge is covered with dark berries falling from trees growing on each side of the bridge. The bridge looks like it has freckles.  My walk ended with roosters calling good morning, searching for friendship or food – not sure which?

The video below shows the goats roaming the area nearby Bannister Park. Watch for the dog directing the goats and one goat stopping to watch me.