A Brilliant Solution...

...to the problem of tall grass, steep slopes sand the beginning of fire season. These goats (Grazin' Goats) appear in various parks around the area every year at about this time. The goatherd lives in a small caravan at the bottom of the trail and erects portable electric fences around strategic areas. The fences keep the goats in and passing dogs and people out. The goats do a better job than mowers and weed whackers, especially on steep terrain. There are probably about a hundred goats in this herd and here are a few of them behaving like, well goats. I particularly like the one standing on the highest thing around which is something they like to do. This lot were on the Spike Walk right next to the meadow. It's been quite a while since we've been up there.

There was quite an interesting article on the preparations being made for the Conclave coming up next week in the  Vatican, including the rows of long tables and chairs and the installation of the stove in which the ballots will be burned and the smoke will be white when a new pope is elected. Some predict that it will be short because agreement has already been reached. Others say that because Francis chose Cardinals from many non-European countries, they will need to spend time getting to know each other. Perhaps they are already doing that. Francis was an environmentalist, and had enough solar panels erected outside Rome to power the Vatican. His 2015 encyclical, 'Laudato Si' inspired  many  heads of state to adopt agressive conservation efforts. It is to be hoped that the next Pope will be as enlightened, for he may be helping to decide the fate of the planet.
 
He made the spiritual and moral case for protecting our Sister, Mother Earth, who sustains and governs us but now cries out to us because of the harm we have inflicted on her by our irresponsible use and abuse of the goods with which God has endowed her.
-Pope Francis