Little Tripoli was the first cria (alpaca baby) born on our ranch. His momma is our sweet Tulip, a medium fawn (light brown), and Tuscany is his half-brother. As a young ‘un, Tripoli’s personality is still developing, but one thing is clear: he’s one loud little alpaca.

"MMMMmmmmmMMMMM!!"

Trip and Bravado are the only two alpacas that answer you when you talk to them. Tulip might twitch her ears in your direction and contemplate you vacantly as you talk, but Trip will always respond to anything you say with a little fire engine hum “MMMmmmmMMMM!”

Mom walks into the barn in the morning, greeting all the animals. Heidi the horse always nickers in response, and Boogie (the other horse) may join in. As she gets to the alpacas, she calls, “Where’s my little hummer today?” and Trip responds, “MMMMmmmMMM!”

"Wait now, what do you want me to do? I'm very uncomfortable with this situation."

We weaned Trip very recently, and I’m happy to report that he’s adjusting to being a big boy very well. Tuscaninny is very possessive of fence time with his mom Tulip and he tends to bully the little man if he tries to get any attention from her, but Trip is adjusting. Bravado, who Mom has taken to calling “the Professor”, is teaching Trip manners through a bit of tough love. But Merlin is always good for warm fuzzies, if Trip needs some support. Mom caught the two of them kushing (laying down) in the turnout side by side the other day, as if Trip was trying to pick up some of Merlin’s wizened world-view.

Trip has lovely reddish-brown fiber with a ton of luster. I can’t wait to get my hands on it. He will be sheared for the first time this May, and I will love and hug and squeeze his fiber. I can’t wait to see what he looks like under all that hair, too! Freshly sheared alpacas are silly looking. 😛