Portrait of Another Old Queen ….

… of the Valais for Jubilee Weekend! 


The Herens is a traditional breed of cattle from Valais, whose cows are famous for their sense of hierarchy and correspondingly feisty temperament: they frequently lock horns. A black coat, muscular body and relatively short legs give them a distinctive appearance (extra for full body portrait). Following their natural instincts, the Herens cows establish a hierarchy within the herd when they ascend to the high pastures in spring. The leader must assert herself throughout the summer if she is to descend from the alpine pastures in autumn as the crowned “queen”. I don’t know how old this lady is but she was quite grey and had a number 1 painted on her side so was definitely the doyenne of the herd! The cows are so happy when they are up in their high mountain pastures again after a long winter indoors. To arrive at this pasture we walked up by the beautiful Viéze river (second extra) where we saw several dippers.

Thanks so much for the many gifts left for yesterday’s Hummingbird hawk moth too.


Have a good long weekend everyone, celebrating whatever you wish to celebrate, no doubt many will be celebrating the Queen’s Jubilee. I shall be back on comments next week, it has been a very busy time recently!