I was having a photo clear out the other day (my phone is embarrassingly full of reindeer photos) and realised I have taken lots of photos of Cuppa over the past 12 months. Florence, Cuppa’s mum, was my “calving bet” so I think I was particularly invested in her wee boy! For any reader unfamiliar with the herder’s annual calving bets you can read this blog here. So, here’s a collection of photos to see how the little fella has grown up over the past year.
Florence and her new born boy! He was born on the 22nd of May 2024, this was taken a few days later on the 26th.Florence’s calf also on the 26th of May – just look at those “eyebrows”! 10th of June – Cuppa next to his mum a few weeks later and already bigger and bolder. He headed out to free range for the summer the next day.19th of June: I was lucky enough to bump into Florence and Cuppa whilst they were out roaming freely in the hills. They looked so happy up in lovely herd of other cows and calves.This is from the same day as above but just makes me smile – Florence coming over to say hello and Cuppa behind with those distinctive brows!The next picture I have of Cuppa is this one from September the 15th so a jump of 3 months. It’s actually Andi’s photo after Cameron successfully caught him and put him on a halter so they could be walked back into the hill enclosure. What a size difference compared to June! He’s now in his smart summer coat and has grown antlers. Mum Florence is on the left, Lolly is on the right.This is Florence and Cuppa in the hill enclosure on the 3rd of October. Compared to the other calves, Cuppa is one of the smallest of 2024. We believe he had a illness in late summer/early autumn, just before coming back into the hill enclosure from the free range. As you can see he’s cast his antlers already – often a sign of illness. Thankfully with some extra food and Florence by his side he’s rallied around and has grown in to a cheeky confident wee reindeer as you’ll see…13th of December – Cuppa and Florence looking great! Compared to the last photo you can see his winter coat has really grown through… and Florence has broken an antler. 15th of January – After Cuppa attended a couple of Christmas events and with the Christmas holidays over, the pair are now now back out free ranging in the hills and doing really well, he’s never too far from Florence.13th of February – Cuppa and Florence in the sunshine. He’s growing in confidence and cheekiness by the day!26th of February – The pair up high on a ridge before being moved down for the daily Hill Trip. Cuppa clearly wanted a lie-in this morning. 12th of March – Winter is back! Cuppa and Florence on the 7th of April 2025. The pair are often still together but as you’ll see from the photos rather than being rather shy and sticking behind Florence, Cuppa is now much bolder and comes extremely close on the hunt for food.Cuppa on the 25th of April. Cuppa has remained close to Florence’s side for the last 11 months but now he’s almost a year old, they have been separated. Cuppa has joined up with a big herd of male, at our second site in Glenlivet. He’s doing really well and as you can see is beginning to grow another set of antlers. Meanwhile…… Florence is doing well and is having a well-deserved year off from motherhood, which means she’ll be able to spend the vast majority of it free ranging in the hills. Here’s Florence (and her mum Spy behind) on the 29th of April enjoying herself on the free range and beginning to grow a lovely set of new antlers.Cuppa on the 18th of May – a few days before his 1st birthday!
Handsome young man!