Calf

I was spoilt for choice with images today, but I've chosen this rather simple image of a red pointed British White calf, because I would be unlikely to be able to repeat it on another day. It is a new member of the Snarlton herd on a farm on the outskirts of Melksham, and was penned off at the side of the road to the farm along with its equally white mother, just a few yards away.

The British White is one of Britain's most historic breeds, descending from the ancient indigenous wild white cattle of Great Britain. The breed originated in Whalley Abbey, Lancashire until in 1765 some of the original white cattle were transported to Norfolk by Mary Assheton, into the Gunton Park herd there. Both herds became almost extinct in the plague in 1860 with only two animals remaining, but from this pair the herd has since been built up again.

I didn't know any of this when I took the picture - isn't Google great?