PopEye joined our herd in 2018 with a purpose, and she has fulfilled that role beautifully. As a fall-calving cow, she welcomes her calves into the world each autumn. Our fall pasture borders a river, and we needed a cow that stood out among our black cattle—just in case they decided to wander across to the neighbor’s side when the water was low. And, well, that’s happened more than once! Now, thanks to PopEye’s unmistakable presence, we always know if it’s our cows across the river or the neighbor’s.

But PopEye isn’t just any cow—she’s got an “in-your-face” personality and isn’t afraid to let everyone know it. She loves her feed, refuses to share, and always manages to be front and center. Her bold attitude, combined with her striking looks, has made her a natural muse for my photography. It’s hard not to snap a picture when she’s posing so perfectly!

As someone who loves color, PopEye holds an extra special place in my heart—especially in a herd dominated by Black Angus. But beyond her looks and attitude, she’s an exceptional mother, raising a strong, healthy calf every year—often one with a splash of color. And that makes her truly one of a kind.