Like every year, the Salon de l'agriculture (International Agricultural Show) is taking place in Paris. 3,000 farm animals will live for 2 weeks on almost 150 000 sq meters (1 614 586 sq feet) and... 230 000 kg (507 063 lbs) of straw. It's a trade show but it's open to anyone and especially to the Parisians who can then realize that the beefsteak they had for dinner was once a cow! This show is also a must visit for politicians, especially in this pre-election period : 59% of the French territory and 3,5% of the active population are still dedicated to agriculture.
What a fabulously clear photo Eric! Interesting stats there. Cows look so gentle and somehow knowing, i always think. They can be quite dangerous though. A woman in my area was killed in the last year or so as a cow backed her into a corner, pushed her to the ground then sat on her. Weird isn't it, not what you'd expect, really. Totally unrelated to your stats but i think quite surprising and interesting?
ReplyDeleteActually reading that through it sounds quite cold, obviously it's a tragedy, didn't mean to sound so newsy, cold and factual. It's been a long day!
ReplyDeleteWell, I work with a cow in the same room, and just today I was telling a coworker that it would be a fate worse that death if she sat on me. Now Lynn tells this story. Weird.
ReplyDeleteYes, the above story about the cow and the woman is surprising. Now can you imagine the stories that the cows can tell about us humans?
ReplyDeleteLuggi well at least i'd say now that coincidence has happened, the law of averages probably says it won't ever happen to you! Erm. I hope.
ReplyDeleteThis cute cow seems to be giving you the eye, Eric! I am curious to know what these types of cows are called in French. Are they Holsteins in the US? Or is that just the black & white ones?
ReplyDeleteI spent a wonderful day at this event last year - but your photo is much better than any I took.
ReplyDeleteI like the juxtaposition of the man and the cow as they each look in different directions, each thinking their own thoughts. We can only imagine what the cow may be thinking. The big difference is that perhaps the man is thinking "Un hambuger pour le déjeuner."
ReplyDeleteThis is a great picture! Certainly not what you'd expect to see on a Paris blog ;)
ReplyDeleteI've always thought that cows were kind of cool. If you leave them alone, they leave you alone, even if you are in close proximity, at least that's my experience...
The worse thing that's ever happened to me was that once, as a kid, I was camping in a field and in the morning, when I got out of the tent, I stepped right into a cow pie that wasn't there the night before because a bunch of cows had passed through the area real early that morning. Now, of course, I wasn't wearing shoes ...
Other than that, never had a problem of any cows wanting to corner me, thank goodness. I'm wondering if the cow in Lynn's story maybe was pregnant or sick or something. Usually cows don't behave like that. Not that I'm an expert in cows or anything ... ;)
I love, i simply love cows! They look so defenseless. The cow in Lynn's story must have been a very stressed one, I've never seen a cow doing anything but just being there.
ReplyDeleteThis one seems a little distrustful, were there any politicians near her?!
Udderly fascinating - groan away folks............
ReplyDeleteGreat framing, moooh!
ReplyDeleteSydney also hosts a huge event today, one that will draw thousands of people, but the crowds will be somewhat different to those who visit the Salon de l'Agriculture. Want to know what it's about? Come and have a look!
This reminds me of another photo you showed where there ended up being tons of cow jokes. Can't remember which post, but it was hilarious. I won't go there this time though. It would be milking the subject too far.
ReplyDeleteMooooooooooooooving right along Michael!
ReplyDeleteGroooooooooooooooooooan Nikon! ;)
Fine specimen Eric!
;)
I really don't feel cowed by all these clever comments, but I can't think of anything bovine to relate. She has a lovely face, don't you think?? PS. I am impressed by the 59%--I'll have to check the stats in my own country now.
ReplyDeleteMoo moo to you too, Eric. xx
ReplyDeletePS Did you know that these brown and white cows give strawberry milk? And black cows give coffee milk? And black and white cows give chocolate milk? White cows give white milk! That's what we told our kids when they were little and we saw cows in the countryside. Don't think they really believed us but it set them thinking.
Very funny Mme Benaut! Nowadays you'll have to tell them that they make a tall latté with non-fat milk, extra hot, and cinnamon on top. Man, those cows sure have to keep up with the times don't they?!
ReplyDeleteMichael, the pressure to be updated can drive a cow crazy
ReplyDeleteThis link is just for you !
men's eyes....
ReplyDeletecows' eyes...
we are all looking ....
:))
nice shot!
have the nice weekend.
jing
Michael, I love your warped humor, it is so like mine. Do you think it is a result of the many years in Miramar? I love how you insist that "you are not going there" and then "you do". LOL Shall I "Tirer une vache?" or what? Saw a very funny movie last night called "Les Faux-voyantes" with Ariele Dombascle where she and another famous French actress are taught to milk cows by a wild French farm lady. I love TV5.
ReplyDeleteJohnny, somehow I think I really missed your visit and humour. Yes, I think the water in S. Florida has something to do with it.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, you know more about French films and music than I ever will. How DO you keep up with it all?
Off to see your link now Monica.
Excellent Monica! I love how the cow has a man's voice yet the udder of a mudder (mother)!
ReplyDeleteMichael,
ReplyDeleteI love French films. Though, I must admit the French humor sometimes is beyond my appreciation. I was a fan of Danielle Darieux (sp) and Micheline Presle when I was a teenager. I had to travel miles to the art cinema in Cleveland to see the films.
Back to the cows: Dave and I told Eric about the "Battailles de Reines" in the Alps and Switzerland which we attended while vacationing in Morzine. We had a glorious time mingling with the locals and feasting on real French country food. A cow fight opposed to a bullfight is quite impressive and less gory.
I would expect in Kentucky you would be less into French culture and more into cow-tipping.... lol
ReplyDeleteI love these animals, they are so cute!
ReplyDeleteI recall the cow jokes, catalyzed by cow sculptures around Paris (which I saw also in Madison, Wisconsin, USA for some odd reason). I remember everyone was getting a bit PUNchy by the end of the day.
ReplyDeleteAbout this photo: I wonder what the cafe sign says. It is a cafe for the cows or for the people? Is it serving beef? What an insult to the cows, if so. Think they know?
The cows are in line, the people are in line. The cow is tagged, the man has a tag. The cow's bridle aligns with the man's necktie--they're all very spiffy, n'est-ce pas? Who is watching whom? Remember "Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy": it turns out the white rats have been experimenting on us all this time...
ReplyDeleteGood point about the mudder Michael
ReplyDeleteWe can always COWNT on you for a good joke ;-)
And Jeff, I believe the guy is thinking, "Sheesh...(or Pffft in French), I could be out having a beer with my mates instead of standing around here in a bunch of straw smelling cow manure!"
ReplyDeleteAnd the cow is thinking, "Sheesh (or Mooft in cow French), I could be out chewing some cud with my mates in the Auvergne instead of standing around here smelling all of these politicians!"
Lovely photo Eric.
ReplyDeleteSounds like the Royal Winter Fair held in Toronto in November. It's also massive!
Yeah, I'm sure they both have a beef, and a low opinion to voice. Surely their neigh-bors are braying about something else, as well.
ReplyDeleteAnd all the monkeys aren't in the zoo
everyday you see quite a few
so you see it's all up to you,
you could be better than you are
you could be swinging on a star.
(music ends, applause...)
http://bataille-reines.ifrance.com/ Try this website if you want to see hundreds of photos of Les Batailles. I just live in Kentucky...that is about all we have in common with Kentucky. I won't go there (what Northern Ohioans think of said state). We saw "Carmen" last night at the Opera House. It was awesome. Don Jose was sung by a native from South Africa. Paris and Lexington are both tres internationale. N'est Pas? By the way, we heard a trio of authentic Alp horn players at the fete. They were good but were literally covered in a brown cow product which wasn't chocolate milk. Ricola where are you? By the way #2: where is Haxo? I miss him!
ReplyDeleteMy friend in Harrisburg reports that there was a 800 lb. sculpture of Benjamin Franklin & the Liberty Bell at the PA Farm Show this year. After the fair, it was converted to bio-diesel fuel.
ReplyDeleteI think it's time for the cow to jump over the moon. Eclipse tonight, in Europe?
ReplyDeleteIt's very late and I cannot see any moon exlipse from where I am. But if you look at the portal you'll see it on many daily photo blogs. Really nice.
ReplyDeleteYou're right of course! It is a popular theme.
ReplyDeleteLouis la Vache appreciates you giving one of his cousins top billing on your blog. He was quite moooooved by your thoughtfulness and won't be cowed by any snappy retorts from anyone, and that's no bull! :-)
ReplyDeletethis cow is totally giving you the eye!
ReplyDeleteIf I am repeating myself, forgive me. In my experience, cows are excellednt judges of character; she must have been rightly a victim.
ReplyDelete