Friday, September 24, 2010

COWS IN GENEVA

Geneva is a small canton (282 km² & 460 400 inhabitants), is not situated in the mountains, and might not be the Nr.1 area in Switzerland when it comes to agriculture, but you will nonetheless see farms, dairies and cattle in it's countryside (not much though). As a matter of fact they seem to proliferate...

It is
not an unusual thing to see cows peacefully grazing in the lush green meadows that surround the town of Geneva (less than 3 kilometers away from the city). Even a few minutes away from my home, close the Arve river and amongst the Veyrier vineyards you'll find one of the most beautiful breeds of cow: the Hérens.

This rustic, stocky, very muscular, strong-horned, black (and sometimes brown or dark red) cow with a short and broad head hails from the Val d'Hérens in Valais.
It is primarily raised for meat, but the Hérens females are well-known for their love for fight. Although they are gentle with humans, they show a lively and quite aggressive temperament toward their fellow cows. In spring, the Hérens fight one against another in five weight categories during the "combat des reines" (video here). The winners are sold for high prices. Today cow fights are a major tourist attraction in the Valais.

I really love those cows which's massive body contrasts with their calm and sweet behaviour. They are so majestic, fascinating, magnificent and likeable.

The cows I photographed were great subjects. As I approached the fence and called them, they immediately walked slowly in my direction and asked to get patted. Their sheer colossalness is quite intimidating at first, but you soon forget that detail when you get to caress them and see how affectionate they are...

Cows 5.2 bis

Cows 7.2 bis

Cows 3.1 bis

Cows 2.1 bis

Cows 4 (4)

Cows 6.2 bis

Cows 1.1 bis

47 comments:

  1. We love cows! They are fascinating creatures and we see them all over France. Fab shots as usual. Enjoy these little trips!

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  2. stunning shots,Rosa. I love the first one...

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  3. great blog and great shots!!!
    have a look at
    http://modemuffins.blogspot.com
    XX

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  4. I really like the last shoot! these pics looks like paintings, Rosa! beautiful

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  5. J'aime beaucoup les vaches. Elles sont tranquilles... et tellement jolies dans le paysage! Tes photos sont de véritables tableaux!

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  6. From now on...I'll have to nickname you Ms. DooLittle...the woman whom cows are drawn too.
    Talk about getting up close and personal.
    I, too love cows...I just don't appreciate the perfume they excrete ;o))

    Gorgeous captures!!!

    Ciao for now,
    Claudia

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  7. Beautiful pictures Rosa.

    The cow in the first picture looks annoyed that you are taking its picture without its permission. :)

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  8. They look so sweet. I love the colors of the cows against the green grass.

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  9. I absolutely love these pictures, cows are beautiful creatures.

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  10. Hey Rosa! I love cows. They are so wonderful. Oh, and that middle photo of the two cows is amazing. I sent this to my Mom's work e-mail (smile)...

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  11. They are so cute Rosa, I wish I can have them as a pet :)

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  12. A very well written post with beautiful pictures !

    US Masala

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  13. Your photos are fabulous, as always.

    There are a lot of cows in our area. I find that they are very curious creatures. We stopped to look at them one day and they came to the fence, just as you described. One got so close that I could smell his breath. I don't know what he ate, but he sure could have used a breath mint.
    Sam

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  14. really beautiful photographs :) cows are so cute <3

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  15. Gorgeous shots! the little guy in the second to last photo looks like he's crying!

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  16. Il n'y a que toi pour sublimer des vaches en photos.Magnifiques.
    Bisous.
    Caro

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  17. Now, that's being up close and personal with the bovines. ;)

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  18. usually it's cats, that time cows... why not?

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  19. Nice and generous, I love cows.

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  20. Wonderful shots! I love to see the cows grazing on the meadows and also hear the cowbells in the morning and evening.

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  21. wow! these photos are surely precious! I particularly like the mom-n-kid shot, lovely!

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  22. You truely captured some lovely shots, Rosa!

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  23. I once had the opportunity to visit Geneva, but I didn't go. What was I thinking? It's so lovely-- and gorgeous animals! xo

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  24. et dire qu"on les mange!!pierre

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  25. It's not easy to photograph cows, I have tried several times, never happy with the result. Some of yours are great.

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  26. Amazing photos!!! Growing up on a big ranch really makes you see the beauty in cattle! :)

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  27. The shots are awesome Rosa! Thanks again for taking us to Switzerland in a moment with your blog!

    Cheers!

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  28. The lighting and composition in your photographs are just so appealing here. I find your subject fascinating, in Bourgogne, France they have the Charolais which are white and also beautiful to see in the fields there.

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  29. OOOh des steaks chez Rosa, euhhh non des vaches, pardon, de très belles vaches ! Belle semaine Rosa !

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  30. greats pictures,rosa,congrats!

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  31. Rosa your photos are fabulous. We have a ranch close to Jackson Hole, WY and raise those big animals! They are a lot of work, and require a lot of patience. One day, I will visit your beautiful countryside as well.

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  32. I have seen some Swiss cows with bells in Sass-Fee. Beautiful photos as always.

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  33. wow!amazing shots Rosa!!!u have a wonderful space here!
    tnx 4 visiting me n 4 the lovely comments...

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  34. love your cows and bet they all have names.

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  35. I love switzerland once i visited switzerland for a month to see my husband who was studing there. we visit togather almost all cities and castles. I love the way from montroux to geneve along the geveve lake. My trip was fabulous.

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  36. I love these photos and now I feel even worse for eating meat!

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  37. Meuuuh :) je les aime bien aussi, avec leur regard tendre et leur museau humide.

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  38. those cows do look gentle, but the sheer bulk and the pointy horns would scare me off. What a lovely area you live in though!

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  39. Tes images sont magiques..

    Bo mercredi Rosa xx

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  40. We have cows near us, and I love driving by and noticing a baby taking off running for no apparent reason! I always have to giggle.

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  41. First time here, loving it Rosa, gorgeous pictures and the bread what a beautiful shape you have got it just perfect!

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