Last week, CeeCee left the following comment for us:
“With 6 donkeys in the family now, could you do a little tutorial on identifying each one. Obviously, Ells is the only redhead, but I struggle to tell them apart in a group photo. I believe that Buck is red, but much darker. The rest leave me wondering.”
While she was here on Sunday, I asked our friend GK if she would help with the tutorial. She was able to point to the Boyz and Gracie and identify them each by name without batting an eyelash, after all. (I was so impressed!)
Here’s Buck and Nigel:
Buck is definitely red, and is darker than Ellsworth.
Ellsworth is bigger than Buck and his face is much whiter:
Nigel is also unmistakable:
Such a strikingly handsome boy.
And here’s Bernard:
Bernard is short and has shorter hair. Most of the time, Bernard will be next to Ellsworth.
Patrick, however:
Patrick is fluffy all over; his body, face, legs, ears. He has the longest mane of all, and has very cute leg stripes:
By the way, I have to say that it really, really touched me when (out of the blue) GK said she was so happy that Patrick was here at Morning Bray Farm. She’s a young lady who’s so wise for her years.
From a distance, I still sometimes confuse Gracie and Bernard. Here’s Gracie and Buck:
Look at Gracie with GK:
GK was right when she pointed out that Gracie’s nose is more wrinkled than Bernard’s:
Gracie’s taller than Bernard and Patrick too:
It’s all relative. Sometimes, it just takes time to see who’s who. ♥ ♥
January 24, 2012 at 4:48 am
Reblogged this on Ann Novek–With the Sky as the Ceiling and the Heart Outdoors.
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January 24, 2012 at 5:13 am
Great tutorial, Justina! Yes, sometimes it takes time to know who’s who.
All them looks lovely!
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January 24, 2012 at 6:35 am
I feel better knowing even you sometimes mix ’em up. Part of the problem is the way the changing light affects the photos–I’ve seen pictures of Nigel that looked almost like Buck’s coloring, and Bernard’s coat goes through a whole range of shades.
But if you’ve captured their personality, it makes it a bit easier (ie if someone’s got something ridiculous in their mouth, it’s probably Bernard. :D)
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January 24, 2012 at 7:10 am
Flartus,
How right you are. 😀
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January 24, 2012 at 8:02 am
I used to raise Dalmatians and people were often amazed that I could tell them apart. It’s so much more than just the coloration that identifies each animal: it’s how they carry themselves, facial expressions, ear sets, body language and personality. Of course, those can be difficult to identify in photographs.
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January 24, 2012 at 9:25 am
You are absolutely right. When I’m having difficulty determining whether it’s Bernard or Gracie from a distance, I usually just have to wait for one or the other to move… 🙂
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January 24, 2012 at 8:12 am
I will admit, I have in times past, when looking at your blog with GK and Ry made a mis identifiction of Gracie and both of them correct me instantaneouly. I think it has alot to do with heart motive as well……the two are motivated by some serious donkey love. I had someone yesterday say to me that I have made the grands donkeyophiles. Guilty as charged but I didn’t do it alone…..tee hee, I think that the Boyz and Ms. Gracie Belle had alot to do with it as well….and maybe Momma and Daddy Donkey too.
pssssst…..I look at our beautiful girl and how loving she is and I just melt. Oma Linda
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January 24, 2012 at 8:57 am
Don’t forget that Bernard always has a goofy expression on his face. *smile* I could spot Ellsworth in a crowded room. Love that guy.
I remember my first few days at the stable. I wondered how on earth I was going to tell all the chestnut horses apart. I had to get them from a field and put them in their pens, so it was important I knew who was who. It wasn’t long before little traits made identification so obvious.
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January 24, 2012 at 9:09 am
Thanks for the tutorial. I, too, get them confused. Each of them is a beauty, that’s for sure! Is it OK to call the boyz beauties? Oh well…
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January 24, 2012 at 9:26 am
Lilla,
I think it’s perfectly OK. 🙂
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January 24, 2012 at 4:19 pm
I just love having the opportunity to look at all of those sweeties. Love them!
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January 24, 2012 at 4:46 pm
Haha. This reminds me of working at the standardbred farms. 90% of the horses are 15.3hh, bay, with no white markings. You learn to tell them apart by face and body shape and expression. Great post!
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January 25, 2012 at 10:38 am
I don’t have the words to describe how cute they all are. They look too cute to be real. Are you sure they are not stuff animals?! LOL
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January 27, 2012 at 8:19 am
Nigel is very handsome and proud looking but I like patrick the best because he’s fuzzy 🙂
Carol
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