Little Bay Mare Photography

06/04/2026

I need help!!! I’ve narrowed down this year’s collections to 19 (that was hard enough) now I need you to help me narrow it to THREE!
This is for a photo contest to showcase the ranch lifestyle.
If you would please, like three of the photos or comment which numbers you like in the comment section!

05/31/2026

Post 4: Vaccinator
An important job. From mixing vaccines to administering, you have to know what you’re doing not just hoping you get the “easy” job.
The vaccinator navigates the flow of operations and tries to do the calves in the same order they are drug. If more than one injection is given, they will communicate who gives in which location. They each carry a marker to help keep track of which calves they’ve already done. Periodically, they check their dosage, replace needles, and check vaccine levels. All of this while not poking anyone.
One or two people will stay at the cooler to continue mixing and replacing guns as needed.

05/27/2026

One more collection after this!

Photo collection by Little Bay Mare Photography

05/23/2026

Post 3: Cutters/Castrators
Again, there are a few different methods but I will teach you the one I was taught.
Bring your sharp knife. The cutters watch for bull calves to be drug out then, with one foot on their back leg - so as to not be kicked - they pull the sac toward them and poke down into the end. An incision big enough to slip the testicles out one at a time. Pull the testicle toward you until that blood strand pops then, as close to the sac as possible, cut the other strand. Nothing should be hanging out when you are done.
Keep your sharp knife well protected so no one gets stabbed! My husband makes neck knives for this very purpose - the sheath is easily accessible right around your neck. Still others will simply keep their knife in their hand - one finger running down the back of it so the tip is kept down and away from accidents.
Kids and adults alike will fry the fresh testicles on the branding stove for a quick snack! (You can see their basket in the photo collection.) Most ranches will keep the testicles in cold water to later clean and fry.

05/21/2026

My favorite day ❤️

One more branding to edit and upload and then I’ll have a little photo break until my next branding in June!

Also, huge thank you to Genna Lou McCall for taking my camera at the second group! Some of these shots are from her perspective!

Photo collection by Little Bay Mare Photography

05/18/2026

Post 2: Calf Wrestlers
2 people will work together to flip a calf on their side while the roper drags them out of the pen. To do it well, you have to understand the mechanics of it - not all calves are caught with two feet. In this case, if the roped foot is on your side, do not pull - you get tail. The partner on the rope should sweep the feet up while the partner on the tail pulls to the ground. This motion should knock the calf clear on its side and nicely expose the top front leg for holding.
I was taught that you always assume this is your job until told otherwise. It’s a lot of physical labor but also requires courtesy. The vaccinator will need you to expose the neck so they have room to give shots without poking you. The cutter will need the top back leg held tightly and out of their way so their knife isn’t kicked into anything it shouldn’t be cutting. The branders and ropers will appreciate you being aware of them when you go to let the calf up as well.
When it’s all done, this is only a few minute process before the calf gets to go right back to its mother, minimizing pain and stress.
There are other methods to help wrestlers or eliminate the need for them altogether but I have not personally used those methods.

05/17/2026

Let’s start a series on branding education!
Post 1: Brands
This permanent mark clearly identifies one’s cattle. A brand is typically applied with a hot iron but can also be done through freeze branding.
Most ranches in this area trade help with neighbors to do a large quantity in a day. Neighbors arrive, gather cattle horseback, sort out the cows, then rope and drag calves where they are wrestled down to be branded, vaccinated, and bulls cut. I’ll cover each of those jobs in other posts throughout the week 🙂

05/16/2026

Feel free to share and tag!

Photo collection by Little Bay Mare Photography

05/13/2026

05/11/2026

Churchill Branding
Link with full collection to follow. Another branding Friday!