The Shepherd of Saint Baume

                Blacksheep

 

 

Driving along the road I was greeted with a flock of sheep. Like a parade they came with their bells ringing, taking over the entire road leaving me little choice but to pull over and admire them.

 

                Sheep

 

 

Their master, a Shepherd for over thirty years, told me he was bringing his sheep down from the French Alps on foot, and that he would stay in the area (outside in a small cabin) until June 15th. Then when the heat of the Provence becomes to hot to bear he will lead his sheep back into the French Alps.

 

                Lambs

 

The autumn sun warmed my back as the Shepherd and I watched the sheep enjoy their nibbling. Where ever I was going took a back seat. It was if this moment was meant to be… meant as a reminder to enjoy the gift at hand.

 



Comments

18 responses to “The Shepherd of Saint Baume”

  1. One of those savor the moment times! How wonderful to be stopped in your tracks and take moments to enjoy!

  2. What beautiful sheep. Life must be fine in the Alps in the summertime.

  3. Wondrous encounter, beautiful images, Corey!
    I once had a similar encounter, in the Apulia, in the South of Italy. We were driving along narrow roads in the midst of olive groves, when all of a sudden a herd of sheep with their shepherd appeared. The shepherd spoke a dialect that I had never heard before, he had worked with sheep all his live.
    In Burgenland, south of Vienna, cows are still being herded by shepherds in the Neusiedl National Park.

  4. I love it when the old ways still continue today, there is a certain calming rhythm to it all, untouched by time. Love the photos, thank you

  5. Sharon Nicholes

    I’m jumping back to Corey’s question ” what advice would you give your younger self”?
    Lesson learned….. Don’t rush…enjoy the beauty and simple special moments around you.

  6. How wonderful and I even spotted a black sheep.

  7. I love these photos, which is a reminder to stop and enjoy your surroundings. Thank you!

  8. It was. Tradition, culture, life, beauty… autumn!

  9. Less snow! lol. Green wonder because of it!

  10. Beautiful tradition. Also beautiful life!

  11. Yes that is true! It is valued.

  12. …and it wasn’t you, nor I !! lol! You are such a tease!

  13. Yes to take time to see, and breath it in gulps!

  14. I think this moving the herd thing is called transhumance in French. Weird non, trans human? Sounds more like people moving to me!
    Cheers!

  15. lol I thought so too! Though that is the name of moving herds from the Alps to the valley and return:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDS2IpMvkkM

  16. Judith walker

    Just one of the beautiful things that you encounter when exploring the French countryside! Tradition is abounding!

  17. RebeccaNYC

    We know the shepherd in “our” village, he’s an ex motorcycle gang guy…big burley and tattooed! The sweetest man on the planet, he has invited us to hang out the next time he moves his sheep around. This is not to be missed!

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