Hanging out with reindeer

Max went to an end of season ski club fundraiser and won an invitation for an up close visit with reindeer at a small reindeer ranch across the valley from us. They had several adult reindeer and two brand new babies just a week or so old.

When they say up close, they mean it. No fences between you and the animals here! The babies were still learning to eat lichen and the kids were delighted to offer them fistfuls of it, most of which fell to the ground for the bigger animals to clean up.

The adults were bigger than we expected, especially next to the little kids. We had to be a little careful with the moms - particularly the one with the antler - who would do their best to stay between us and the babies, but this nice girl named Olive didn't have a baby and was gentle as could be.

Lola and Charlie came too.

The tiniest baby named Rufus was definitely Kieran's favorite.

Jasper was the most subordinate member of the group and the only adult male. Max gave him a good scratch during a rare moment when he wasn't being chased away by the ladies.

Kieran even took Jasper for a walk before we said goodbye and drove home to warm up with some hot chocolate. Thanks to Running Reindeer Farm for offering such an intimate and relaxed visit with their reindeer.