The ages of Herdwicks.

My first "walk to the bins" shot for a long time.  Not a spectacular shot but it gives me plenty to comment on.

Unlike other sheep Herdwicks change colour as they age.  You will see the lambs are black with the faces just starting to turn white.  The yow               ( cumbrian for ewe) top left is about a couple of years old and the other yow maybe 4 or 5 years old.  I don't know why they haven't been sheared but both yows are showing signs of shedding their fleece.  Most sheep species have a natural "rise" as the wool begins a new seasons growth.  This creates a weak spot between the old fleece and the new and left alone the fleece fibres break at the weak point and the fleece eventually all falls away.