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A few times a week, after supper, we drive out to the University Experimental Station to watch the animals and look for wildlife. We usually see a lot of mule deer, hawks, marmots, and wild horses roaming around the fields back near the mountain foothills.

The most unusual thing we have seen, (well...unusual for us), is the Llama Mamas. There are several flocks of sheep out there. Each flock has it's own field to graze in and it's own pen to sleep in at night. They even have their own Llama to guard them. Each Llama keeps an eye on the flock it is guarding and is very alert to any strangers coming around. Just after dusk, the Llama Mama goes out and rounds up the sheep by just walking around the perimeter of the flock. All the sheep follow their Llama back to the pen. The Llama walks back and forth in the pen, forcing the sheep into a corner where they all lay down close to each other for the night. The Llama then checks them out, turns towards the road and lays down facing the road with the flock safely asleep behind her.

This was just so amazing to us I had to do some research on it and found the following link about "Guard Llamas" . Apparently they are geldings, but I still call them Llama Mamas. They take their job very seriously.

YouTube has a vidoe of Llamas guarding sheep. It is really interesting how these Llamas care for their "family". Just go to YouTube and type in "Llama guarding sheep".

Last night we went back out to watch the Llama and his flock of sheep. It was just after dusk when we got there. The Llama had gathered all the sheep in the pen for the night. After all the sheep were settled the Llama lay down in front of them watching the road. We drove on to the end of the road looking for deer.

When we drove back by the Llama, he was at the trough getting a drink of water. Every sheep in his flock was line up behind him, in a single line, waiting their turn to drink.

It is just so amazing to watch the strict routine the Llama keeps them under and how the sheep seem to respect and trust their Llama Mama.

Llamas are amazing animals - it is a great gift that you are able to observe them in such a way.

It is an amazing gift. We so enjoy watching them. My mother never cared much for Llamas until she saw how they take care of their "little family". Now she is just so impressed with them and realizes how intelligent they are.

The animal kingdom has so much to offer humans if we'd only "listen"

My husband used to get so peeved at my pet Llama. He would block his path when he was trying to get out to the little calves to check on them. He's just keep walking in the way and blocking the path in front of him. He was very protective. He was not mean or anything, just kind of an annoyance to my husband. My kids used to ride him when they were little. He was a great pet. Very inquisitive. He would want to smell new people's breath, to get to know them. It was quite disconcerting for my friends, as they thought he might bite. His breath smelled like peanuts. He was a goofy guy.

Hi borageflower. Your pet Llama must have been a lot of fun. He sure provided you and your kids with good memories. That is really interesting that he would smell people's breath to get to know them. They are very inquisitive animals and have a natural instinct to protect their adoptive families.

This is so true, Granny. Animals can teach us many things.

My llama would run across the pasture to meet one of my friends. Stop at a dead stop right in front of them and smell their breath. I had to warn them, it's ok, he's not going to attack or run over you. Weirdest thing. He was quite the character. Very loving. and liked attention.

That is so cute! Last night we were out at the farm watching the cattle round up. After tagging the cows the ranch-hands herded them back across the road to the pasture. The Llama who was watching his sheep was not happy about all those cows tromping through his area -- so, he herded all his sheep into the pen and back into one corner. When all the sheep were safely tucked in out of harm's way, the Llama lay down in front of his group and faced the pen gate to make sure no cows wandered in. It was so fascinating to watch the way the Llama protected his "family". The sheep mind him very well.