It's when the dog runs along the back of the sheep to get them moving in the right direction. It's pretty cool to watch. Here's a youtube video, about a minute in that will show you.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iD7thx6LarY

Wow! That is amazing. I wonder if they do that in the UK . Has anyone seen it ? Brilliant!

I've never seen it done here, certainly didn't feature on "one man and his dog".

If it did happen here we'd have to rename that programme "one man and his dog on sheepback".

(For the sake of the uninitiated... there is a television programme here called "One Man and His Dog" and yes, it is about sheepfarmers and their dogs penning a flock of sheep - and that's all it's about, which shepherd and which dog is best. It's much more exciting than watching paint dry, honest. )

I remember that day Howie. I was behind you, looking the other way, & this is the photo I took:-

They have shown that program over here on PBS (Public Broadcasting Corporation). The dogs sure do like to work hard. I think I saw it as a lead in to the show about a modern Scottish Lord and his troubles keeping the Estate/Manor together. The show changed most of the cast after the second or third season (Mac-something's Glen?). He was enamored of a local schoolteacher/councilwoman. I enjoyed the breath-taking scenery of the show. Every bit of conversation was backed by breath-takers. One episode I recall centered around an ancient escape tunnel from the castle, accessed from the dungeons.

RE: The train track images. Are you two trying to tell us you use trainspotting as a vice?

Mehaul, I think you are thinking of Monarch of the Glen. There was some stunning scenery in that I agree.

That clip of "backing" is amazing! Chip will get the hang of it, no doubt!
Prudence is a cutie, mehaul, and I loved your reminiscences about Fenway. It's a place I hope to visit one day.

As for trainspotting, just so you don't think those two fellows have the hobby to themselves, here's a train headed for Ottawa and Montreal, whilst I was waiting for one on the other line to take me to Toronto.

Back to my local garden series

Martin, good to see someone has my back so I don't get run over

Copago, thanks for the explanation and the youtube clip. Wow, that is incredible.

Another from shearing ...

No worries,
In that clip the sheep have quite short wool which is harder for the dogs to run along. In that photo of Chip the sheep are full wool so lots of wool to grip when the dogs get up on top. When sheep are freshly shorn they are quite oily from the lanolin in the wool so dogs tend to just slip off the side which can be a bit funny.

Christinap, that was it, spot on, as is said by some.

I feel like an FBI pixel master, finding the face of the culprit in the shiny door knob from a surveillance file. This is a 1/6th enlargement of the zoom zoom of Prudence done in Paint by selecting, copying, pasting and resizing (bringing this to about 1/10th x 1/6th x 1/6th = 1/360th!). With Paint I was able to circle a spot on her nose. you can see me as the vertical darkness. The photo was taken in front of a south facing white house in bright sunlight. The horizontal blackness in that damp nose spot is the shadow of the porch overhang. Poor Prudence was looking into a blinding scene and that is why I am shown in such a dark shadow, there was a lot of photon source behind me. I think any more attempts at enlarg, er, zooming, will lose the definition to discern the hairs on that cute snout. even now, I feel it is close enough to feel the wetness of one of her wet tongue kisses.

Otherwise the sheep will have a chip on their shoulders....

I always enjoyed watching One Man and His Dog, it always impressed me how much control the shepherd had over his dogs, and how much control the dog had over the sheep!

I enjoyed watching Monarch of the Glenn, too!

Susie and her new best friend Inky on our walk this morning

Copago, do they do that naturally or are they taught?

Looking up Lake Tekapo towards the mountains, it was late summer so very little snow.

Stunning!

Wow, Howie! Great photo1!
Susie and Inky look like they could get up to some trouble!

The dogs do have an instinct for it but have to be taught ... although I know an old trainer who says it's the people that have to be taught!

Early this morning ...

The new car park by Wembley Stadium, which ironically is half the size of the old one but far more scenic...

Howie, your photo brings back many (pleasant) memories for me. Do you also have a photo showing the Church of the Good Shepherd on a small promontory of land at the edge of the lake? If so could you please post it. It was at this site (just outside the church and looking up at the mountains across the water), that I proposed to my wife. Fortunately she said 'yes!'.

Yes I do Mike, that will be posted in a few days or maybe tomorrow as it brings back a special moment for you.

I can't believe we are so early in the month, everyone has posted such a fantastic collection already.



Lovely! Very romantic! You smooth operator...


Copago, I keep meaning to say that all your beautiful photos over the last couple of months have been so interesting! Thank you.





(Got that peacock butterfly I was chasing)