Moooo

[RSL]

The actual title of this one is "Florida Back Roads #20."

[BobDavid]

The actual title of this one is "Florida Back Roads #20."

Nice photo.

[Two23]

I'm not familiar with that breed of cattle.  Are they Aubracs by chance?


Kent in SD

[RSL]

Hi Kent,

I’m afraid I don’t know enough about cows to be able to answer your question properly, but I can tell you this: Thirty or so years ago when I started spending winters in Florida we had a variety of white, very bony cow here that looked to me like some of the cows I used to see in Southeast Asia. Those Florida white cows are gone now, but I see genetic remnants of them in the cows in this picture.

I was cruising some back roads around Leesburg yesterday when I ran across these guys. It was about 95 degrees and 80 or so percent relative humidity, so every cow that could get there was in the shade – including these. I drove past them, slammed on the brakes and backed up for the shot. I’m glad I did.

I came close to posting this in Street Showcase since I shot it from the street (or in this case, road) and that seems to be what LuLa posters believe defines street, but I decided it was futile to get into that argument again.

[Two23]

Living in South Dakota, (and owning a farm in Missouri), I can't help but pay attention to things like crops and cattle.  When I see something I don't know I usually look into it.  Researching your critters it seems there is more than meets the eye!  They appear to be a unique breed called "Florida Cracker Cattle."  I'm not making this up.  They are a mixed breed with its origins in cattle brought by Spaniards hundreds of years ago!  No wonder I couldn't identify them.  So now you know.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florida_Cracker_cattle


Kent in SD

[Rob C]

Living in South Dakota, (and owning a farm in Missouri), I can't help but pay attention to things like crops and cattle.  When I see something I don't know I usually look into it.  Researching your critters it seems there is more than meets the eye!  They appear to be a unique breed called "Florida Cracker Cattle."  I'm not making this up.  They are a mixed breed with its origins in cattle brought by Spaniards hundreds of years ago!  No wonder I couldn't identify them.  So now you know.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florida_Cracker_cattle


Kent in SD

On the assumption that those pesky sailors had them along for the ride as food - then it seems they were thin (as per Russ' description of the first ones he saw in Florida) enough to escape detection down in the hold. Which shows you that people shouldn't mess with genetics.

I had bistec for lunch today, in my Frenchman's place, and had to leave some: he was just too generous. I hate sending back a not clean plate; always afraid it may offend.

Why does life become more complicated rather than simple when you get to know people well over the years?

[RSL]

Thanks again, Kent. Yeah, the white, skinny cattle were known as “Cracker cows.” I’m assuming you know the background of the word “cracker.” It refers to early Florida cowboys who cracked their whips rounding up the cattle. We also have the cracker house, a wooden structure with a tin roof. Here’s an example, though this one's more elaborate (and trashed) than some.

And Rob, I know too well about “too generous.” My wife and I sometimes order a single meal at a restaurant and split it. No problem doing that in an area like this where people are “aging” and don’t have big appetites.