Our BLM’ers are nothing if not thoughtful (and awesome). … And shy of the camera, I suspect. 🙂
AFTER they’d been in the basin to finish the new-water-catchment project by installing the trough and fencing around the tank/roof structure, Garth Nelson (rangeland management specialist) emailed to say, “Surprise! Happy late birthday!” (Yes, it’s true, in the midst of the tornado-whirlwind, I celebrated a birthday. :))
He went on in his email:
“Daniel and I wanted to surprise you with the trough installation at the catchment. Attached are some pictures for you to enjoy. We filled up the trough about halfway and then left the valve turned off to conserve water for a dryer time. We do have plans for a shade cover but must wait until October to purchase materials. Happy Birthday!!!!!!!”
No girl has ever gotten a better birthday present – unless it was getting to see my folks and brother … or the gift of three beautiful and wild, lovely mustang mares! – than water for said mustangs in a parched desert range that had the great, good fortune of receiving rain not so long ago. 🙂
The tank/roof structure is behind our right shoulder in this view.
Both the trough and the float (the cylindrical thing resting on the water in the trough) are unlike any I’ve ever seen before, but cool, huh? The horses of any given band will be able to spread out along it to drink. The three pipes at right protect the lid to the culvert section to the valve, below ground to protect it from freezing.
Doesn’t Daniel’s shirt match that brilliant Colorado sky perfectly?!
If this BLM thing doesn’t work out for Garth, I’d say he has a future in photography. He definitely seems to have learned the most important rule: The photographer gets to stay out of the pix. 😉
THANK YOU, GARTH AND DANIEL, for finishing ‘er up! And Mike and Jim, who also worked on the project – water for mustangs in the desert. 🙂
Spring Creek Basin Mustangs 
Your BLMers ROCK!
They really do. 🙂
This hard work sure will be appreciated by the wild ones and all of us who love them. Thanks BLM!
SO very HUGELY appreciated, yes!
Wow !! Such a banner year for all in the basin !! BLM is full of wonderful surprises !
Well said. It started with such anxiety … and much of that anxiety has eased, in one way or another. The new water catchment … well, it’s just huge. 🙂 And it’s a great addition to that area of Spring Creek Basin!
What great guys! Happy Birthday,TJ, and many more!
Definitely great guys. 🙂 And thank you!
I can’t imagine a more happy birthday for you,TJ! The gift of family, three new beautiful mustangs, and a new water trough! No one deserves such a bevy of wonderful happy birthday gifts more than you. Happy belated birthday, TJ, and thanks to Garth and Daniel, the best BLM guys on the planet!
And Mike, too! He’s taking a well-deserved vacation with his family. Thanks for the birthday wishes! 🙂
An unbelievable turn of events all pointed in the right direction!!
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We’re so glad to have this project completed. It represents a lot of hard work under hot Disappointment Valley sunshine! And to have water in those tanks already is just incredible. A wonderful, life-giving project. 🙂
Life is full of love for those who send it out, that would be you TJ!!
Thanks, Marytherese. 🙂 My heart is full to overflowing with love!
FANTABULOUS!!! Love the float – looks resilient! I’ve seen so many floats that ‘failed’ over my life time – I’m no expert, but on all fronts mentioned, looks like an ‘expert crew’ on so many, many, many fronts! 😀
Our BLM guys are multi-talented experts, for sure!