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Caution
Cattle Drive
You don't see that sign too often, but this is Mariposa County and there are lots of cattle so it shouldn't be too much of a surprise.
Driving along Bear
Valley Road returning to Mariposa from Hornitos we came upon the yellow
caution sign sitting by the side
of the road. As we drove on up the road we saw a pickup truck driving slowly and motioning us to slow down. The cattle were coming! Cowboys riding horses ahead of a large heard of Longhorn Cattle rounded the curve in the road. Three border collies were doing their part keeping the cattle on the road and heading forward. We pulled over and I jumped out and started taking photos. I have to admit I was a little cautious. The bull leading the heard was huge. The Longhorns were a subtle rainbow of colors and marking which I have since learned is a trademark of the breed. Just a quick glance at those horns, which can extend from 4 feet to 80 inches tip to tip, would give anybody reason to stay out of their way. A number of calves were trailing along with their mothers. The Texas Longhorn is intelligent and able to resist diseases that other cattle have. The Longhorn can live a long life and cows can have calves until they are 15 to 20 years old. The bulls are just as productive and one bull can service as many as 35 cows. They have good personalities and though they look dangerous they are often tame and gentle.
Linda Gast
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