In the sprawling metropolis of Los Angeles, where we battle Carmageddon traffic and traipse from parking garages to offices ablaze with the glow of computer lights, it’s nice to spend some time outdoors gazing at goats.  No, not for channeling psychic powers.  In fact, for channeling nothing more than relaxation. 

In the middle of downtown Los Angeles, on a hillside at 4th and Hill streets, a herd of Boer goats -- males, females and juveniles with tiny nubs of horns on their heads -- has been hard at work the past few days on brush clearance.   The low-tech, non-motorized, green approach to field clearance has the added bonus of providing an antidote for stress that doesn’t require a trip to the beach, the mountains  or even the zoo.  All it takes is a climb up the steps alongside Angels Flight (a mini-workout!) on Hill Street to find Upper Angels Knoll, a grassy little park overlooking the goats.

Office workers as well as parents with children wander the park, communing with the fairly docile goats  and handing over more grass for them to munch on.  Alas, the goats won’t be there for long, seeing as they’re so efficient at mowing.  They’ll move on to their next gig.  But maybe Los Angeles should do this more often.  We have pop-up stores, temporary clubs and food trucks that cruise from one location to another.  Why can’t we have roaming petting zoos around the city?  There’s a thought to graze on.

Find more photos after the jump.

ALSO:

Science and salmon

L.A. zoo: Protect the animals

HumaneWatch.org responds to The Times' editorial board

Do we have to choose between clean energy and the animals?

Watching animals on the screen reveals more about ourselves

--Carla Hall