For the first few days they were here, Fergus and Nigel were terrified of the water tubs we have in the corral and pasture. Naturally, we were concerned about them taking in enough water. Fergus was much more bold about drinking from the tubs and from what I could tell, Nigel was only drinking when Fergus was drinking, which also worried me. Yesterday, I saw Nigel drinking with Bernard, which brought joy to my heart.
Of course, I was excited to get more pink donkey tongue pictures.
Morning Bray Farm 
May 5, 2010 at 5:28 am
He was just waiting for you to install a fresh water stream in his pasture! 🙂
Love the wet muzzie shots. Your boys are soo cute.
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May 5, 2010 at 6:16 pm
C,
Thank you! We think they’re pretty cute too.
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May 5, 2010 at 6:17 am
Aaawww, the pinky tongue:))) Does it ever happen to them to leave the tip of the tongue just like it’s in the last photo? My cat often sleeps with just the tip outside, like she forgot to withdraw it…
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May 5, 2010 at 6:20 pm
Sandra,
No, they generally don’t leave their tongues sticking out other than while they’re drinking. I’ll bet your cat looks just adorable with her tongue sticking out.
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May 5, 2010 at 7:37 am
Nigel has such a beautiful face. I’m sure that he will get used to the water bowl in a short time.
Um, right. They are equines, not cats. I guess they don’t use “water bowls.” Sorry.
He’ll get used to the tub. 🙂
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May 5, 2010 at 6:23 pm
Cathy,
You say potato, I say potatoe (my grandmother used to sing that song all the time)… You say bowl, we say tub… 🙂 We have bowls here too. 😉
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May 5, 2010 at 7:38 am
I guess the new boys have warmed up the clicking of the camera? How funny about their tongues. There must be some scientific explanation.
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May 5, 2010 at 6:24 pm
CeeCee,
They have indeed warmed up to the clicking of the camera. I like Carson’s explanation from the other day:
So here’s my theory on the sticking the tongue out after they drink thing. Alan and George do this ALL them time. I think it’s a survival thing – they slurp up all the water they can fit in their mouths, hold it in with their tongue, then stand up to look around for predators while they swallow it.
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May 5, 2010 at 7:40 am
Good job on getting the tongue shots! Glad to hear the boys are adapting so well. It won’t be long before, like Ellsworth, they’ll know they’ve reached heaven on earth.
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May 5, 2010 at 6:25 pm
Nancy,
Thank you! Hope you’re having a good week.
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May 5, 2010 at 9:13 am
Aren’t donks funny when it comes to their water? There some who will drink out of anything. But there are two that are ‘nervous’ about a new container( which is not a new container at all, just a trough that I have moved). One stretches his neck so far, touches the water with his upper lip, jumps away, does it again, then very anxiously drinks.
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May 5, 2010 at 6:28 pm
Cindy,
They are! I love hearing about your donks… I learn so much from your comments. One thing I didn’t mention in this post is that before Fergus and Nigel arrived, the tub in the corral was right next to the barn because that’s where the spigot is. Fergus and Nigel wouldn’t even think about going to the tub while it was there. But yes, the whole thing of stretching the neck, jumping away, etc., sounds so very familiar. It’s so nice to know that there are others with the same quirks! 🙂
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May 5, 2010 at 9:20 am
So funny what freaks our animals out, isn’t it. I’m glad to hear they’re getting more familiar with the place. It looks like Ellesworth & Bernard are excellent hosts.
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May 5, 2010 at 6:29 pm
Carolynn,
Bernard and Ellsworth are indeed excellent hosts to their new brothers. I hope you’re doing well!
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May 5, 2010 at 12:08 pm
I am amazed how quickly the boys are settling in!
A quiet (so I don’t startle him!) cheer for Nigel, for being so brave!
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May 5, 2010 at 6:30 pm
Thanks Vicki! I said that very quietly… 😉
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May 5, 2010 at 1:38 pm
I have one that has been here 8 years, and still has to sneek up on the water tub. Same tub and in the same place every year ! She also will wait for another to start to drink then push in and drink with it. Must have had alligators in the tubs where she came from! LOL .
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May 5, 2010 at 6:33 pm
Mel,
Ditto to you what I said to Cindy. Thanks so much for your comments… they really do help. Sounds like your girl’s mannerisms are very similar to Nigel’s. How fascinating! Okay, seriously… I had the same thought on the alligators while watching Fergus and Nigel… too funny. I think they are that way because they’re so smart.
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May 6, 2010 at 5:02 pm
I love those pink tongues!! I’m so glad those boys are settling in so well. They are pretty cute, that’s for sure!
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May 7, 2010 at 10:06 pm
Oh my gosh, I love those little pink tongues peeking out after they drink. My horses do the same thing and the first time I saw it I laughed and laughed and laughed 😛 Easily amused I suppose!
What a brave little burro Nigel is becoming! I’ll bet your heart just melted when you saw him drinking from the Big Scary Burro Eating Water Tub 😀
Hmmm…it just occurred to me that the new burros sort of have Seeing Eye Donkeys to help them get used to all of these new things 🙂
Hugs to all of them!
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