A typical Aussie shearing shed conjures up mental pictures of dust and haze, crumpled Akubra-clad bronze-skinned shearers clicking away in pools of sweat to the non-musical drone of heat and buzzing flies mixed with the yelp of the property dog, under an aged shed of flapping tin and weathered boards.
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But this week The Canberra Times was invited to a more modern form of shearing day, held annually at Sutton's Alpaca Magic property.
GALLERY: Lots of great photos of alpaca shearing The owner and mother-figure Glynda Bluhm, who wears an alpaca-wool hat she spun and crocheted herself, bought her first alpaca in 1997 and now has hundreds of alpacas, llamas and their cross-breed llapaca.
What is the difference between an alpaca and a llama? She is asked this very often, her standard reply is ''about 100 kilos'', but she hastens to add, ''and a whole lot of affection''. The llamas are much bigger but much cuddlier, and on cue Llanina toddles up and nuzzles into her neck for a smooch. The alpacas are also very gentle and inquisitive but more cautious than their larger cousins. ''They're the furry version of dolphins and whales, everybody loves them.''
Glynda hires expert shearer Ian Elkins and his knowledgeable leading hand Bruce Patterson, and in true shearer form they lend their dry wit to their day of honest hard work. You can't throw a 2m-tall beast between your legs like a sheep so lifting these unwilling 200kg animals on to a waist-high table is a tactical process. A team headed by Glynda and as many as five veterinary uni students help the men with their not-so-delicate task.
Once the animal is hoisted up on to the stainless-steel table, kicking, and sometimes squealing and spitting, it is shackled by its front and back legs for its own safety, not to mention the shearing team. Like a toddler at the dentist it can feel frightened. So someone pats its head and others hold it still.
While the process is under way the opportunity to cut the toenails of their soft-padded feet and inject anti-worm vaccines is taken. Pampering complete.
The temporarily stunned creatures stand sheepish and embarrassed in the pens checking each other out. Apparently mother (hembra) and baby (cria) sometimes have trouble identifying each other after shearing day.
The day will yield about 10 bales of wool of varying colours, always high quality. Alpaca wool is sold for about $35 a kilogram, compared to superfine merino wool which brings about $8-10 per kilogram.
Glynda opens her farm to her customers to return and take advantage of Ian and his shearing team while he is there. She also gives lessons on spinning, crocheting and felting the yarns. All part of the ''Magic'' service.
