Seven

15 07 2012

Haven’t posted much of the boy recently, though he’s always around.

This was from a couple of weeks ago:

In Spring Creek Canyon.

And this was from last week:

So elegant in the dark storm light. He was trotting out to meet with Aspen.





Three girls, two sisters

15 07 2012

Babies Temple and Madison with Madi’s sister Juniper.

It’s fun to watch the babies become independent little selves. Juni is a good big sister, always looking out for baby Madi.

Healthy, beautiful girls!





Daddy & daughter

14 07 2012

As much as I love seeing mamas with their babies, there’s something so beautiful about seeing the daddies with their babies.

Comanche with daughter Madison. He’s a tough guy … the softest part of him is his great, big heart. 🙂





Rain: falling, filling

13 07 2012

Aspen against a rainy sky a few nights ago.

The recent rains DID, in fact, put water in some of the ponds. Some went from very shallow to quite a bit fuller. Some went from dry to this:

The Flat Top pond. It (likely) won’t get dug out this year, but it’s good to see it with water again.

The northwest pond, however, should get dug out next week – it’s still dry. Or was; the basin got rain again this afternoon after a dry spell of a few days.

The east-pocket pond has water again. The Sorrel Flats pond has way more water (it was getting pretty shallow). And those are just the ones I’ve looked at, being more concerned with pony doings. What can I say, I get distracted easily. 🙂

I should have – but didn’t – take pix of the first Spring Creek arroyo crossing. No more water flowing, but the rocks the water pushed along was awe-inspiring (as always). Water is a driving force in this “Disappointment Country” – and the lack of it just as much, if not more so.

And I’ll leave ya’ll with this pretty sunset over the La Sal Mountains (to the northwest of the basin, in Utah):

It’s good to have rain. 🙂





Temple

13 07 2012

In honor of a very special lady who needs some prayers and positive energy right now …

Temple

Temple was named for Pati and David Temple, long-time NMA/CO board members, supporters of Spring Creek Basin and all mustangs, and simply wonderful people who contribute so much love and support to their family and friends.

Pati is battling some very serious health issues, and for this strong, determined woman full of grit and grace, I would ask you all to keep her in your thoughts.





Can’t resist

11 07 2012

And really, who can?

The big man himself: Grey/Traveler.

Two of his girls – Alegre and Houdini – and this year’s daughter, Mariah.

And new mama Gaia and baby Cassidy Rain.

Just because they’re all beautiful and I love them so. 🙂





A girl named Mariah

10 07 2012

Girl going grey.

Like mama, daughter!

Side note: Mariah is Terra’s full baby sister.





Gaia & Cassidy Rain

9 07 2012

Mama and daughter from a cloudy evening before the rain. Look at those long baby lashes!

In fact, that night, I walked one of the big arroyos that drain Spring Creek Basin in a section HP and I hadn’t ridden, and it was totally dry. I made my report later: Not a seep to be found. A few nights later, Spring Creek was running with water! Can’t wait to see what moisture awaits the next time I can visit the basin and her beauties!





Chrome’s band

8 07 2012

For a couple of weeks at least, I’ve had photos of Chrome’s band, hoping to have time to tweak and share. They’re usually visible very soon after entering Spring Creek Basin, and many visitors recently are familiar with them. The only pic I think I’ve managed to post is the one of Winona peeking around the tree. But a recent comment asking about Terra’s pregnancy status decided me that I’d better get some pix of these photogenic ponies posted!

As for Terra’s pregnancy status? I truly don’t know. She shouldn’t be. I hope she’s not. She looks pregnant or in very great condition. She has looked like this for months.

Chrome – as usual – was doing his very best impression of a wild stallion. Loved the light on his silver coat and the dark hills in the background.

Curious George – aka Winona – was doing her best to hog the camera.

Darling girl.

‘Nona and Terra grazing.

Oh, but you really want to see the belly, don’t you??

Vertical view.

Horizontal view.

Thoughts? From a different visit, a straight on view:

From about a week ago. Round, but not abnormally so … and certainly not enough – or little enough – or confirm – or deny! – pregnancy.

Let’s talk udders: None to speak of.

Handsome Chrome

Winona – “buckskin and blue”!

Lovely Terra. I don’t know how she can look so much like her mother – but all the best qualities and not the bold Roman outline. Must be where daddy comes in.

Walking into the sunset.

Chrome is NOT the sire if Terra is pregnant. If Terra is pregnant, Terra’s sire is the sire. Not unheard of, but you see why I hope she’s not.





‘Female rain’

7 07 2012

It has been raining – softly and steadily – for about three hours now in Disappointment Valley. The rain ringed Spring Creek Basin all morning and afternoon, then hit the eastern side of the basin around 5:30 p.m.

Heavenly.

Divine.

Something so simple, so wonderful. So longed for. So grateful for.

“Female rain” is this very type of slow, gentle, nurturing rain. “Male rain” is heavy with lightning and thunder and bravado.

I can’t remember whether that’s attributable to the Navajo? But I’ve always loved it. Perfect.

Just think how Spring Creek must be flowing now! 🙂