For the Love of Highlands
11th January 2021
Bubbles With Her Daughter
I have to go back almost 35 years for my first memory of Highland cattle. Back then, as a youngster, I spent a lot of my time on and around farms. While having a cup of tea one day with a local farmer, I was browsing through farmers weekly, like you do, and I came across a fantastic picture of a Highland cow. Little did I know that this was to be the start of my passion and interest with this cattle breed. Still, it was to be quite a few years later that I met one up close and personal.
Leap forward another 15 years, and I found myself in the Lake District on the side of a mountain photographing a beautiful Highland cow and her calf. I literally came across them by accident, no forward planning on my behalf. I ended up spending hours photographing them in the lovely late afternoon light. From this moment onwards I was totally hooked by these friendly hairy beasties.
Fast forward again another fifteen or so years, and I'm in the very privileged position that I have friends who breed and show Highland cattle at the highest level. So I now get to spend countless hours with some of the best looking Highlands in the country. Some have even been supreme champions.
I have worked with them so much now that they literally see me as one of the herd, which is great as they ignore me and go about their daily business. All good photographers know and understand that this is when you get your most engaging images showing your subjects real character.
Why this great love for Highland cattle? Well, they are so different from any other breed that I have worked with. They have the most amazing horns and oversized shaggy hairy coats. They all have their own personalities and temperaments, just like us humans, both good and bad. Highlands usually have quite a docile nature, but you still need to be careful, especially when the females have calves. The bulls are a totally different kettle of fish and you should always be cautious around them. A 1 ton bull with 4ft horns can do a lot of damage, either accidentally or intentionally.
So here I stand today in a wet muddy field in the pouring rain following my passion. I have over 50 Highland cattle looking at me as if I'm bloody mad, maybe I am.... who cares. I wish it would stop raining for a change but I guess you can't have everything in life, and I still get a great buzz working with these fantastic animals whatever the weather.
A cautionary note: I have worked with cattle from the smallest calves to the biggest bulls for most of my life. They are not pets and should always be treated with the greatest respect. Many of my images are taken close up and personal with the cattle, however these animals have known me a long time and trust me, but I still never trust them fully.
It will be a sorrowful day when I can't get out to photograph those amazing Highland cows in the pouring rain.
To see more of my Highland cow images please visit https://www.peterrhoadesphotography.co.uk/highland-cow-gallery
As always please don’t hesitate to contact me if your require further information or just have a question to ask.