Ram Tough
by Kathy Kelly
Title
Ram Tough
Artist
Kathy Kelly
Medium
Photograph - Photograph
Description
This photograph by Kathy Kelly is of an American Blackbelly Ram. While visiting family in Maine, we had dinner at an excellent restaurant, "Frankie and Johnny's Restaurant, in York. Behind the restaurant, was a barn and this handsome fellow.
The American Blackbelly is a "hair sheep" which means they do not grow wool but have coarse hair instead. This breed originated from crossing Barbados Blackbelly sheep with Mouflon and Rambouillet. Often described as "badger-faced," the American Blackbelly has black markings on the face, belly, legs, chin, chest and inguinal region.
American Blackbelly sheep are often referred to as "barbado" or "barbies." Consequently, they are often confused with the Barbados Blackbelly which are of predominantly West African origin and later imported from Barbados into the U.S.
However, Barbados Blackbelly sheep are polled (hornless), while the American Blackbelly are not. In fact, American Blackbelly rams are known for an impressive rack of horns and mature rams frequently have magnificent curls of 30 inches or more. This rack of horns, combined with a prominent "roman" nose and wide muzzle gives the American Blackbelly rams a noble, masculine appearance. The main body color can vary from light fawn through brown to reddish brown to dark mahogany red.
This piece has been featured in the following FAA groups:
Animal Photography
Pet Photography and Art
Our 4-legged Friends
Images that Excite You
Uploaded
May 15th, 2016
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Viewed 450 Times - Last Visitor from Beverly Hills, CA on 03/23/2024 at 2:14 AM
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Comments (4)
Kathy Kelly
A big thanks to John Bailey for featuring my piece "Ram Tough" on the homepage of "Images That Excite You." I greatly appreciate it!
Kathy Kelly
My thanks to Mariola Bitner for featuring my piece "Ram Tough" on the homepage of "Our 4-Legged Friends." I greatly appreciate it!