Teri Conroy, I know you’re a really good friend of mine and you’re the nicest person in the TU blog portal, but I don’t want you to read this post right now. Not now. Go give Griffin a bath. Go take Jane-the-dog for a walk. I think Martini’s got some llama beans for you to gather for your business. Someone needs a hand-crafted needle-felted llama toy. And no sneaking to the next page to find out what’s going on. At least not now. ‘Kay?
Okay, now that she’s not looking…
Last June, I visited Teri Conroy’s Wunsapana Farm during her “Open Barn” day. During Open Barn, Teri allows visitors to come to the farm and see the llamas. I visited the farm with my Nikon D700 and my Rolleiflex, and took some pictures of the farm and the llamas and the other animals.
I originally posted the digital photos on my Facebook page, but it took a few days for the pictures from my Rolleiflex to get developed. But when I got them back, there was one picture among the twelve in the roll that stood out.
It was this picture.
This is a llama named Stella. She’s been at Wunsapana Farm for the past five years. Stella is a “special needs” llama, she arrived at Wunsapana from a very bad situation. Stella’s left front leg was broken and never properly reset; her teeth were overgrown and her coat was matted. Teri and her family took Stella in and treated her with the utmost care and compassion.
And when I got this picture, it reminded me of the dedication these animals have to the farm and the farmowners’ dedication to the animals. Here’s Stella, surrounded by dozens of strangers walking around her home turf, and she’s just standing there as dignified as possible.
This is the raw photo; you can see that I used Fuji Astia 100 slide film for this picture. I re-scanned and recropped the picture… and I thought and I thought and I thought…
There’s one more competition this year. And I could use some luck. I’m allowed to enter a picture in the “Animals” section of the Massachusetts Big “E” photo contest.
Stella is an animal.
It’s a picture of an animal.
Hmm…
So while Teri most likely will bring her top llamas for the Big E – most likely Ella and Tank and Lisel…
Whatever you do, don’t tell her…
I’m bringing Stella.
If you know what I mean… 😉
Chuck The Writer 
Good choice Chuck. Stella is a beauty.
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Oh, Chuck. I’ve loved that photo of Stella. She is such a dear and has taught me so much about life since coming here. She’s been here for about five years and sadly, this last year her leg has gotten worse. There is really nothing much I can do but some arthritis meds. When the time comes I can give her pain meds until she gives me the look and I am able to let her go with the dignitiy she has maintained. That may be this year or she may surprise me with a couple-few more. I will do whatever she asks….I am a good listener. Your photo portrays her perfectly, thank you for sharing it. I am sure it will move many at the BIG E and I’m so happy that you’re entering it!
You’re a special guy, Chuck.
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This is awesome. You have single handedly made my day. Please keep us posted on the outcome… I know that I can’t be the only reader that is totally pulling for Stella to win big!!!
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Go Stella! Stella is a winner by all counts in my book!
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🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
Definitely a 5 smile story!
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Hi Chuck,
From what I’ve learned, not all llamas are like many of the ones that live at Wunsapana Farm. It isn’t natural for them to enjoy the physical attention that people typically look to share with pets. They tend to be aloof around people and more content with other llamas. In that way, Stella is more like most llamas.
As a friend of Wunsapana Farm I have been around Stella for over a year now. Your picture is much like the image I have in my mind when I think of her. She stands alone, often shunned by the other llamas, as weak members of the herd would be in the wild. She keeps a watchful eye on you, curious about what you’re doing, but not confident enough to investigate on her own. And even with that broken leg, she’s still majestic in her posture.
Unlike most other llamas at Wunsapana Farm, I don’t give Stella attention, at least not in the way that we think of giving animals attention, like petting or hugging. She wouldn’t let that happen. When I’m around her I will speak softly to her and when I’m at a distance where she seems comfortable, I turn my back towards her. If I stand calmly without any quick movements, I will sometimes look behind me to see her standing inches away. This seems to be all the attention she needs.
Teri could never bring Stella to the Big-E. She’s not what Teri calls a PR (Public Relations) llama. I think it’s wonderful that you are able to bring her in this way. She will avoid all the people and the attention that would stress her out terribly, and yet people can get within inches of her to appreciate her.
Good luck in the contest, great photo.
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Awesome Chuck… SO glad you’re bringing Stella to the show… photo form seems the best way.
Butch, I lovem your observations, and your sensitivity to the llamas.
Teri, Hugs to you and Stella. You are amazing.
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Chuck, your photo is quintessential Stella, and I congratulate you on an awesome job of capturing the grace and dignity with which this sweet creature goes about living her life.
I’ve had the opportunity to spend time with the Wunsapana Farm llamas, and while I’m fond of all of them, none touches me the way Stella does. Her ability to stand “tall and proud” as she deals with the adversity life has sent her way is nothing short of amazing. “Stella” means “star”, and this lovely lady is appropriately named.
As Butch has indicated, you have to show your affection for Stella in a way that’s different from her herd-mates. Sometimes she will come up close to you and just stand close and quiet while you’re doing something, happy just to be close by. My own special “thing” if I’m alone with her, is to sing to her, simple silly little songs that I make up in my head that include frequent repetition of her name. She loves to be sung to enough that she doesn’t even object to my voice. Her perfectly-shaped ears stand right up, a sure sign of interest, and she gives me her special shy look out from under her pretty lashes. Sometimes, if she’s kushed (lying down), I’ll sit on the ground a few feet away from her and sing to her softly for a couple of minutes. It’s an amazing experience, one that gives me a rush that lasts for hours.
I think that Stella’s arrival at Wunsapana Farms was just one of those “meant-to-be” things that happen too infrequently in life. A special llama and a special person came to be together, and the rest is part of the magic that IS Wunsapana Farm.
While I certainly hope that the judges at the Big E photo contest are smart enough to figure out that this is a very special photo, I’m giving you my own personal gold medal on this one! Thank you so much for sharing in advance of the competition.
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Beautiful! Another winner in my book; and another one I’d love to have in print. Chuck is going to be taking all my money soon with all these fantastic pictures – hopefully as prints – and for sale someday.
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Chuck, I was pretty captivated by Stella the first time I saw her too. She’s definitely a special girl. Thanks so much for giving her the spotlight!
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just….beautiful……thanks for sharing this story.
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Chuck- no matter the outcome of the competition- Stella’s photo is definetely a winner, as are you for recognizing her special presence at Wunsapana. Cudos!
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