An Alpaca lost in the desert?

FastDoc · 01-27-2014, 11:10 AM

On the top 10 list of strange things I have seen while off road riding was an alpaca.

Andy and I did some more exploring on the private desert land I have access to and we ran into an alpaca. Perhaps it belongs to a rancher who runs cattle out there in the winter, or maybe it was abandoned? Either way, it's a long way from it's native Andes Mountains. Seemed friendly enough, and likes Nutrigrain bars, as it turns out.

Andy and I had a great ride. We rode all afternoon, got a little lost/turned around a few times, and found a couple of hills he couldn't get up on his KLX. I was glad I brought the YZ. Even with twice the power and 50 pounds less weight I still don't have the skill to keep up with Andy. He is an excellent (ex-pro) rider.

Cool and cloudy, but a great temp for riding hard.

Andy tearing up the sand on his Dunlop 952 shod KLX.

No action shot of me, but my action is much less impressive than Andy's.

Poor placement on my part. Andy was pretty high in the air for this shot. I asked him to do it again. He said, "No way, I'll get killed on this tank" LOL.

Support your local alpaca.

SpudRider · 02-04-2014, 01:50 PM

Thanks for posting the nice photos, Doc.

As usual, you made me think, and do a little bit of research. You saw a llama, not an alpaca. The two animals are closely related, but different species.

http://www.openherd.com/articles/61/...-differences??

As you know, my region of Idaho is all open range. I frequently see llamas on one of my favorite trails.

FastDoc · 02-04-2014, 02:12 PM

I was wondering about that. You are correct, a llama.

Friendly enough creature. What was it doing out there remains a question....

SpudRider · 02-04-2014, 02:29 PM

I would guess that llama was put on the open range, and never rounded up, or he escaped from an enclosure. In either event, he is now free.

FastDoc · 02-04-2014, 02:32 PM

His coat wasn't great but other than that he appeared healthy. There are some cows and a couple horses out there. Maybe he is taken care of by the rancher. I suspect he gets water at their trough. I have never come across any natural water on that property. He probably eats the grain and or hay that is given to the other animals.

I like him. Next time I see him I'll give him another cereal bar.

Weldangrind · 02-05-2014, 12:58 AM

Don't discriminate like that. Horses and cows deserve Nutrigrain bars as well.

SpudRider · 02-05-2014, 01:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

Don't discriminate like that. Horses and cows deserve Nutrigrain bars as well.

I also like cereal bars.

katoranger · 02-05-2014, 07:43 AM

Goats do to.

FastDoc · 02-05-2014, 11:30 AM

Cats not so much, as it turns out.

01-27-2014, 11:10 AM	#1
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	An Alpaca lost in the desert? On the top 10 list of strange things I have seen while off road riding was an alpaca. Andy and I did some more exploring on the private desert land I have access to and we ran into an alpaca. Perhaps it belongs to a rancher who runs cattle out there in the winter, or maybe it was abandoned? Either way, it's a long way from it's native Andes Mountains. Seemed friendly enough, and likes Nutrigrain bars, as it turns out. Andy and I had a great ride. We rode all afternoon, got a little lost/turned around a few times, and found a couple of hills he couldn't get up on his KLX. I was glad I brought the YZ. Even with twice the power and 50 pounds less weight I still don't have the skill to keep up with Andy. He is an excellent (ex-pro) rider. Cool and cloudy, but a great temp for riding hard. Andy tearing up the sand on his Dunlop 952 shod KLX. No action shot of me, but my action is much less impressive than Andy's. Poor placement on my part. Andy was pretty high in the air for this shot. I asked him to do it again. He said, "No way, I'll get killed on this tank" LOL. Support your local alpaca. __________________ Happy to serve.
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02-04-2014, 01:50 PM	#2
SpudRider Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Idaho Posts: 25,054	Thanks for posting the nice photos, Doc. As usual, you made me think, and do a little bit of research. You saw a llama, not an alpaca. The two animals are closely related, but different species. http://www.openherd.com/articles/61/...-differences?? As you know, my region of Idaho is all open range. I frequently see llamas on one of my favorite trails. __________________ Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." Mark Twain 2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3) 2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200) 2005 Honda XR650L 2004 Honda CRF250X 1998 Kawasaki KDX220 Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894
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02-04-2014, 02:12 PM	#3
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	I was wondering about that. You are correct, a llama. Friendly enough creature. What was it doing out there remains a question.... __________________ Happy to serve.
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02-04-2014, 02:29 PM	#4
SpudRider Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Idaho Posts: 25,054	I would guess that llama was put on the open range, and never rounded up, or he escaped from an enclosure. In either event, he is now free. __________________ Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." Mark Twain 2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3) 2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200) 2005 Honda XR650L 2004 Honda CRF250X 1998 Kawasaki KDX220 Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894
	0

02-04-2014, 02:32 PM	#5
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	His coat wasn't great but other than that he appeared healthy. There are some cows and a couple horses out there. Maybe he is taken care of by the rancher. I suspect he gets water at their trough. I have never come across any natural water on that property. He probably eats the grain and or hay that is given to the other animals. I like him. Next time I see him I'll give him another cereal bar. __________________ Happy to serve.
	0

02-05-2014, 12:58 AM	#6
Weldangrind Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sardis, BC, Canada Posts: 25,977	Don't discriminate like that. Horses and cows deserve Nutrigrain bars as well. __________________ Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer
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02-05-2014, 07:43 AM	#8
katoranger Join Date: May 2007 Location: Altamont, Kansas Posts: 15,103	Goats do to. __________________ You meet the nicest people on a Honda Clone.
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02-05-2014, 11:30 AM	#9
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	Cats not so much, as it turns out. __________________ Happy to serve.
	0