Cartogriffi
LightNews LightNews
banner
cartogriffi.bsky.social
Cartogriffi
@cartogriffi.bsky.social
92 followers 110 following 190 posts
Game developer and former social studies teacher. But, I mainly use social media to infrequently post photos of my sheep.

Personal account, the views expressed here are mine alone and do not reflect the views of my employer. (He/Him)
Posts Replies Media Videos
cartogriffi.bsky.social
People call sheep "stupid," but the lambs found a novel way to push between the fence posts and fence to escape their pen yesterday.

One of the lambs, Birch, watched unhappily as I fixed it up. As I went down all the posts, a series of sheep came to investigate my work (or request scritches).
A Shetland lamb is watching me mend a fence. I'm using bailing twine to tightly affix the wire fence to the fence post, and the lamb has her snoot right against the fence while I work. Come spring, we'll replace the twine with some heavy-duty staples. Birch, a Shetland ewe ram, in profile. She has a dark coat with a lighter neck and belly, a pattern called gulmoget. She also has a white head with large eye spots, like a panda, a pattern called yuglet. She is a very pretty sheep with a nice brown coat.
November 28, 2025 at 7:20 PM
cartogriffi.bsky.social
Rut is always a bit dicey.

Here's Parmesan, our top ram. Under all the fluff is 120 pounds of muscle, as well as a testy attitude. ("Testy" being particularly accurate this time of year.)

He's been good to Lyrid, the ewe, even though she isn't currently in estrus.

He's been less good to the gate
Two sheep share a trough. Parmesan (the ram) isn't always great about sharing his food. And since this was taken, we've swapped to two small troughs to ensure Lyrid (the ewe) gets her fill. A large farm gate sits with both halves at awkward angles. It's heavily lashed with blue twine to the fence posts, and to each other. While hard to see, but the gate is no longer attached to either post at the top. Our culprit, Parmesan, stands pensively on the other side. Lyrid, a ewe, stands next to him. She's not currently in estrus, but some of the girls elsewhere are, hence Parmesan's frustrations. Parmesan is a gentle giant. He hasn't taken his frustrations out on Lyrid, or the shepherds. He even request chin scritches from us when we're about. But he does not like the gate.
November 21, 2025 at 7:54 PM
cartogriffi.bsky.social
I really do think that machine learning has potential, but LLM slop isn’t it. I was more impressed with the tech in 2019 than I am now.

The FOMO also doesn't help. In the future we may have flying cars, but I’m not going to drive off a cliff today based on that hype.

Anyway, here're some sheep.
About a dozen Shetland sheep in a variety of colors hang out in their pasture. They're mostly ewes, but a larger whether (castrated ram) is in the foreground. Fall leaves are scattered around their feet.
November 20, 2025 at 9:12 PM
cartogriffi.bsky.social
Neighbors' turkeys came over for a visit.
A rafter of five turkeys stand in an orchard, just on the other side of net fencing. The foreground is empty, just grazed down grass. A rafter of turkeys stand in an orchard, just on the other side of net fencing. On the other side of the fence is a large number of very curious sheep, who just arrived en masse, and are all looking directly at their visitors. This spooked the turkeys a bit, who have turned around and are contemplating returning home. A rafter of five turkeys stand in an orchard, just on the other side of net fencing. On the other side area group of sheep, some of whom are watching the birds, others appear to be conferring about these strange guests. The sheep are familiar with chickens, and these look a lot like chickens, but they are much larger and make very peculiar noises.
November 6, 2025 at 5:15 PM
cartogriffi.bsky.social
Just got my UK passport, I'm officially a dual US/UK citizen.

Here's a photo of my dog to celebrate.
Ginger, a brown corgi/husky mix stares expectedly up at the camera. She's unaware of the delightful little rainbow cast across her forehead. Why does my human friend keep taking photos of me, she wonders?
October 31, 2025 at 11:01 PM
cartogriffi.bsky.social
Lambs do love their mobile shelter.
A large green arched shelter, about 5 feet wide and 8 wide. It's a sunny day, and most of the sheep are packed in under to enjoy the shade, except for two. Robin is a pale adult sheep happily chewing cud just outside the shelter, and Willow, a little black happily standing on top of the shelter. Foreground is a collection of hungry ewes happily munching on a bale of hay we've plopped in their pasture. We generally don't put hay on the ground, but were in a bit of a rush and didn't have time to move one of our portable hay feeders over. In the background is one of our green arched sheep shelters, about 5 feet wide and 8 wide. Deegan, a brown wether lamb, is playing on top. He's had his full of dinner and headed to his favorite spot. A large green arched shelter, about 5 feet wide and 8 wide. A large green arched shelter, about 5 feet wide and 8 wide. Three lambs are up on top! Splash, a black lamb with a large white spot on her forehead. Willow a dark brown lamb Deegan, a brown wether - currently facing away from the camera. Down below, two adult ewes look up at the antics.
October 20, 2025 at 3:43 PM
cartogriffi.bsky.social
Signs the rams are in rut: noses swell a bit and get horizontal wrinkles, general testy behavior (pun intended), and purple spots on their heads.

That last one isn't natural, it's antiseptic Blu-Kote spray (basically, gentian violet). These dunderheads have hurt themselves repeatedly headbutting.
Parmesan, a large Shetland ram, faces the camera. He has widespread horn and a face with large irregular black and white patches. He has a dark purple spot under his right horn, and another in between his eyes. A trickle of purple has run down this latter one, onto his nose. We didn't expect the Blu-Kote to run so much. It's not ideal to get it in their nose or mouth, so we'll be more careful dabbing in the future. Usually we use a spray, but couldn't here as it was so close to his eyes. Parmesan looks a bit tired. He hasn't entered rut, just some of the younger rams, and he's clearly sick of their antics. Fancy Pants is a Shetland Ram hanging out near a fence, which casts a shadow across his face. He has a "badger face" pattern, with a brown muzzle and darker lines running up past his eyes, but an otherwise tan coat. He has a dark purple spot under his left horn. Burnsides, a similarly colored ram with larger horns, is just behind him. It's hard to see, but if you zoom in you can see faint horizontal wrinkles on their snouts. Three Shetland rams eat at a large trough on the left, while two more are slightly further back on the right. The ram nearest the camera is Scalloway, who is looking up from eating. He has a dark purple spot in between his eyes, which has trickled down his snout slight. A second purple dot is under his right horn. There's a purple streak across his horn, he must have flicked his head to cause it to splatter upwards. Scalloway appears to be one of our primary instigators right now, which is unfortunately on brand for him. He was a lovely lamb, but would prefer to rank higher in the ram flock.
August 10, 2025 at 2:38 AM
cartogriffi.bsky.social
Cheers Tom, you were magnificent.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=frAE...
Tom Lehrer - We Will All Go Together When We Go
YouTube video by The Tom Lehrer Wisdom Channel
www.youtube.com
July 28, 2025 at 2:04 AM
cartogriffi.bsky.social
Survived the latest round of ZeniMax layoffs, but lost so many friends.
A two panel snapshot from Watchmen by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. It features an exchange between Bernard, a newspaper vendor, and Walter, a the doomsday picketer. Some context first. The last time they saw each other, Walter was picking up his daily papers. Bernard jokingly asked how the end of the world was going, and Walter was convinced it would be that day. Then, he reminded Bernard to hold his papers tomorrow. Later that day, the superhero who provided the foundation of the USA's military defense left Earth after being accused of giving people cancer. Back to the screenshot, Walter is picking up his papers and Bernard asks "How about you? I see the world didn't end yesterday." And Walter simply replies. "Are you sure?"
July 2, 2025 at 4:31 PM
cartogriffi.bsky.social
Yesterday the little rams were most most curious about the big rams, and vice versa.
Two groups of rams are separated by a gate. One one side are six adults, on the other two lambs. Cole, a moorit (brown) lamb is sniffing, and being sniffed by, Burnsides, a mioget (buttery tan) adult. Deegan, Cole's brother, had been up against the gate as well, but has decided to wander off and check out the fresh grass instead.
July 1, 2025 at 3:44 AM
cartogriffi.bsky.social
I'll hand it to my son, "two ratsnakes interrupted me" is a pretty good excuse to stop cleaning the chicken coop.

The black (or gray) ratsnake is one of the largest native snakes in North America. Thankfully, they're also pretty chill.
A black ratsnake, over four feet long and shiny black. It's stretched across the roof of our chicken coop, coils alternating on either side of the peak. According to Wikipedia, Pantherophis alleghaniensis are good climbers - as this attests! A black ratsnake, over four feet long and shiny black. It's on the side of a chicken coop, the lid of the egg boxes is up and locked, and the snake is spread across it, looking down. It's neck is a tight squiggle, while the rest of it is stretched out long. Making it's way down from the roof, this proved to be a useful shelf. A black ratsnake, over four feet long and shiny black. Previously it was facing the front of the coop, but it turned arouns and is now crawling down the side of the chicken coop into the furthest nesting box. It's empty, as my son had been cleaning out the coop. The snake would methodically check out all four boxes before venturing back inside. A black ratsnake, over four feet long and shiny black. It's inside our chicken coop, and much of the snack is straight up the back wall, with the remainder loosely zigzagged on the ground to provide stability. It's always impressive when snakes raise so much of their body off the ground, especially given how large this snake is. Sure, it's leaning against a wall, but it still takes strength to lift up like that.
May 13, 2025 at 2:00 AM
cartogriffi.bsky.social
All eight lambs enjoying the sun. Details on all of them in the Alt Text.
Cole and Deegan are moorit (brown) ram lambs. Cole is a gulmoget, which means he has a lighter underside, socks, and "tears" in front of his eyes. He already has horn nubs. His brother's head is covered in white speckles, and his horns aren't sticking out yet. They're following behind their mother, who is largely off frame. They're part of a maternal line based on children's books. Their mother is Ms. Frizzle, and their older half-sister is Dorothy Ann, one of the children in the Magic Schoolbus. We considered naming these boys after other kids, but instead went with creators Bruce Degen and Joanna Cole. Bruce Degen passed away a few months ago, and my wife had met him when she was younger. Cole and Deegan were the first two lambs born this year, nearly two weeks before the rest, so they're noticeably larger than the rest. Alongside them is Splash, a smaller black ewe lamb with some fancy white splotches on her head. Seen here is a white blaze on her forehead. Not seen is a white patch encircling her black left ear. Splash is holding a small piece of straw in her mouth, and looks pretty silly. More info about Splash is in the alt text of the photo of her sister Midnight. Midnight is a black ewe lamb with interesting white spots on her forehead. She has one small spot between her eyes, and two large, curved stripes which sort of make a circle between her ears. It looks rather like a halo. It's hard to get a good shot of her forehead, as she is a bit flighty. She is the black lamb more minutes after midnight. We did not end up naming her [Mister Black], as previously joked here on Bluesky. Her sister is Splash. Their mother is Nori, who is all black, but has greyed in a pattern called islet. They have two older half-sisters, Tobiko and Maki. Although Maki now lives on a farm in Pennsylvania. This maternal line is named for food. Midnight is an exception, although I do like Midnight Milky Way chocolate bars. Her sister, Splash, was named for a splash of cream added to dark coffee. Birch is a white and black sheep who represents two patterns. She is a gulmoget, which means she has a light underside and socks. She is also a yuglet, which is a light head and large spots around the eyes. While it cannot be seen well here, gulmogets also have small white "tears" in front of their eyes, which Birch has within her dark spots. Birch also has a black muzzle. She is standing next to her mother, Quercus. Also a black sheep and a gulmoget, although Quercus underbelly is grey, and her socks are brown. In the background is Birch's sister, Willow, who is entirely black. She has proven difficult to take photos of. While Birch keeps running up to us for cuddles, Willow is comparatively shy, and is often maneuvers to be inconspicuously behind her mother when the farmers are about. This maternal line is named for trees. Quercus is the genus of the oak trees. We also considered Betula (Birch) and Salix (Willow). Alice and Cheshire are moorit (brown) lambs. Cheshire is a ram with large white splotches across his face. Alice is solid brown. Alice is seen from the side, largely in shadow. Cheshire is staring at the camera, with light across his back. They are part of a maternal line named for children's books. Their mother is Matilda, also a solid moorit. They have an older half-sister, Mrs. Frisby, also a solid moorit. Alice was born with a distended belly, likely a hernia. She was eating and walking just fine, so the vet told us this was low risk and she might grow out of it. Thankfully, it appears to already be reducing.
May 3, 2025 at 5:20 AM
cartogriffi.bsky.social
I keep trying to take photos of the lambs, and I keep getting distracted by this one running up to me an asking for cuddles.

(Although for this video, I made the request.)
Lamb cuddles
YouTube video by Andrew @ Half Channer Croft
youtu.be
May 1, 2025 at 2:43 AM
cartogriffi.bsky.social
Crazy lamb antics from a few days ago. They've now been let out into pasture, so I'll hopefully have some photos of these goobers soon. youtu.be/DowORHsIxFE
Lamb Jam '25
YouTube video by Andrew @ Half Channer Croft
youtu.be
April 24, 2025 at 6:52 PM
cartogriffi.bsky.social
Late night lambing may not be fun, but at least it's super easy to name an all black lamb born around 12:05am.
April 21, 2025 at 5:54 AM
cartogriffi.bsky.social
2025 lambing season is upon us! Ms. Frizzle had twin ram lambs on the 10th, and they've been happily scampering around with her since. We have three more very expectant mothers due any day now. For the next three month, this account will primarily be posting photos of lambs.
Two moorit (brown) Shetland ram lambs hang out next to their mother, who is eating from a trough. The darker one, closer to the camera, has a white speckled head. The other is a gulmoget (light underbelly) and is licking his nose after nursing. Two moorit (brown) Shetland ram lambs hang out next to their mother. In the foreground is a darker lamb with a white speckled head. The spots are mainly around his ears and forehead. He has been photographed mid-baa. His brother is behind him, a slightly lighter and richer brown. Two moorit (brown) Shetland ram lambs hang out next to their mother. In the foreground is the lighter of the two rams. He is a gulmoget, which means he has a light underbelly. This extends up his neck, including white around his throat and mouth. He also has lighter socks up to his knees, and small chevrons near his ears. This little lamb is standing up, and inquisitive about being photographed - or perhaps the photographer. His darker brother is behind him, and his mother is checking them both out. Two moorit (brown) Shetland ram lambs hang out next to their mother, enjoying the fresh grass. One of the other adult ewes, Nyssa, is checking them out. She is also moorit, but a much lighter color, as she's older. These two little lambs will lighten in time as well.
April 19, 2025 at 2:44 AM
cartogriffi.bsky.social
Our sheep in full fleece.
A group of Shetland sheep rams lounging in the sun. They are in full fleece, in various colors. The closest is baa-ing. Jett, a Shetland ewe, sits in a barn lot. Her fleece is white and very fluffy. She has large black spots around her eyes, a pattern called yuglet. Several Shetland rams in full fleece, all in a barn stall. The barn door is closed. The largest ram, Parmesan, is lying down. Several others are milling about, one of whom is looking at the camera. A large group of Shetland ewes all in a barn stall. Most are facing forward, some looking at the camera. Several are against the stall gate, looking out.
March 21, 2025 at 4:36 AM
cartogriffi.bsky.social
Just a few photos of our silly sheep taken in the past few weeks. They certainly appreciate our recent snow.
Collection of Shetland ewes in a wide variety of colors out in an autumn field. Most are staring straight at the camera. Three Shetland rams at a hay bale. To the left, one is mid munch. In the middle, the smallest has jumped on top of the bale. And on the right, one is distracted by off camera antics. Two young Shetland rams in a light snow. A collection of larger rams is in the background. Several Shetland ewes just inside the barn. There's been a heavy snowfall and the outside is entirely blanketed, with the ewes all partially covered as well.
January 15, 2025 at 3:18 AM