The cows of Bavaria Pictures The cows of Bavaria Alpine cattle herders escort cows down into the valley during the annual Viehscheid cattle drive near Bad Hindelang, Germany, Sept. The herders lead the cattle up into the Bavarian Alps in May or June to spend the summer grazing on alpine meadows and lead them back down to farms in the valley in September. If all the animals survive the summer then the herders place a flower wreath around the lead cow for the descent. Credit: Lennart Preiss/Getty Images