Thank you all for the positive feedback. As aways, I appreciate you taking the time.
Tony, you have it exactly, the shouting, the cracking of the whips, the cattle, the smells...wonderful!(Not so much the heat, it is quite cool in the mornings at this time of the year.)
We were up early to get some landscapes in the Weenen district, here in kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa. We first saw a herd that had already been dipped, and then, as we rounded a corner, saw all the other herds waiting their turn.
There was a mixture of the young herdboys - a rite of passage for young rural males - and the older owners. They all carry one or two sticks and a number have dogs, which appeared to be pretty good at keeping the cattle under control.
The majority of the cattle are the hardy African - and now fashionable with "white" farmers - "Nguni"-cattle. There are photographers who sell very expensive prints of Ngunis here.
I have posted a few more pics which might convey the scene better.
iluvmycam - I opened the shadows in Lightroom using the "Shadows" slider.
Thanks again
William