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When I lived in Colorado, my favorite place was one my friend and I found up the hill from an abandoned barn in Boulder County. We called it the cow graveyard. I don't have many surviving photos, but I've got some skulls that I took home and cleaned out. We figured this was a kill spot where local ranchers discarded their sick bovine. Weird photo quality in #2 was from a disposable developed at a Walgreens or some shit in circa 2011. I've heard of other places that were similar. Have you been to any? I have such fond memories...
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The #1 rule about poking things with sticks is never use your finger. | |
I really like the second shot. So many bones.
Personally, I've never been/seen anything like this. Your explanation makes sense to me, though. Cool set!
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It's amazing how wide their bones are especially the femurs. Their skulls are fascinating as well.
Never like to see this.
Crap ass animal husbandry; idiot rancher.
Seen them rotting in the sun before and always call the county. It's illegal just everywhere.
Huge health hazard... including anthrax.
Anthrax still kills cattle in the US!
Anthrax is a spore bacteria. The spores can survive for decades in the right conditions. It's a naturally occurring bacteria species found in the soil throughout the world.
Consider the area a biohazard.
http://www.beefres...pic.cfm/anthrax-62
Just when I thought I was out... they pulled me back in.
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I'm surprised those bones were still there if the farm was abandoned. It's been my experience that most animal skeletons are eaten by small mammals within a couple of months, though granted that's in the forests of Wisconsin, not deserts of Colorado. If that many bones are still there than the original number of cattle killed there must have been massive.
"Sorry, I didn't know I'm not supposed to be here," he said, knowing full well he wasn't supposed to be there.
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I've had friends infrequently come across stuff like this along abandoned farms in Northern Ontario before. I never really thought about why, but I think your explanation is probably as good as any.
Posted by Aran
I'm surprised those bones were still there if the farm was abandoned. It's been my experience that most animal skeletons are eaten by small mammals within a couple of months, though granted that's in the forests of Wisconsin, not deserts of Colorado.
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This is correct, the bones are an important source of phosphorous and calcium for many small mammals. Especially since those nutrients can be otherwise rare in nature. Could be a northern thing, but I assume mammals in the deserts of Colorado are just as nutrient deficient as Wisconsin and Ontario.
Here's a lockpick. It might be handy if you, the master of unlocking, take it with you. | |
Posted by Boffo
Could be a northern thing, but I assume mammals in the deserts of Colorado are just as nutrient deficient as Wisconsin and Ontario.
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The cow carcasses I've come across have been way too "fresh". In this desert region not much go after them and they will rot away over the months in the hot sun. Really nasty.
Eventually the health Dept gets them hauled away. One was sitting around for about 6 months, another right by a heavily traveled service road for at least 3 months in the summer.
Vultures and crows are pretty much non-existent here in this local region.
I've found well preserved hog, deer and small mammal skulls as well in the desert that have been there at least a year or two. There are pack rats everywhere but they don't seem to care for them very much. There are some signs of rodent gnawing but not as much as you might expect.
Occasionally Indian burial sites in the dunes are uncovered by the wind. Some of those bodies have been there many hundreds of years and the skeletons are fairly intact. Enough so that the coroner is contacted.
Just when I thought I was out... they pulled me back in.
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Posted by blackhawk
It's amazing how wide their bones are especially the femurs. Their skulls are fascinating as well.
Never like to see this.
Crap ass animal husbandry; idiot rancher.
Seen them rotting in the sun before and always call the county. It's illegal just everywhere.
Huge health hazard... including anthrax.
Anthrax still kills cattle in the US!
Anthrax is a spore bacteria. The spores can survive for decades in the right conditions. It's a naturally occurring bacteria species found in the soil throughout the world.
Consider the area a biohazard.
http://www.beefres...pic.cfm/anthrax-62
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I had no idea it was illegal, wow. I see why it should be.
The #1 rule about poking things with sticks is never use your finger. | |
Posted by Aran
I'm surprised those bones were still there if the farm was abandoned. It's been my experience that most animal skeletons are eaten by small mammals within a couple of months, though granted that's in the forests of Wisconsin, not deserts of Colorado. If that many bones are still there than the original number of cattle killed there must have been massive.
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The farm buildings were abandoned, but it was still grazing land owned by ranchers who move cattle around.
The #1 rule about poking things with sticks is never use your finger. |
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