The elk surprised me running around a hill as I toodled up the road. I stopped immediately, but they were not in the mood to also stop, and they kept going. These are probably the first elk I’ve seen since before the main rifle seasons. I’m happy they’re here … though unhappy that I disturbed their peace!
Sunrise in Disappointment Valley highlighting mule deer (I’m so glad to see the bucks back!) in the greasewood and chamisa (rabbitbrush) and willows and cottonwoods along Disappointment Creek, looking toward Spring Creek Basin. It was a drive-by shot, and I couldn’t actually see what I was shooting on my phone’s screen, but the light was so beautiful highlighting the pretty and handsome does and bucks, I literally pointed and pressed the button.
Spring Creek Basin isn’t large (though it can seem so). Mostly, I see all but the most elusive mustangs fairly regularly. But when I don’t see the regulars in places where I’m used to seeing them, a change of location – looking and going – is a must.
Which led to my first visit with Buckeye’s band (and Rowan, pictured) this week since I returned from my Thanksgiving getaway.
Happy. 🙂
During the hunting seasons (basically starting the first of September and running across or nearly to (and in some cases past) Thanksgiving in Colorado), the wild antlered critters make scarce. I don’t know the numbers, but the traffic and human population of Disappointment Valley increases wildly (sorry) during that time – and not in a good way for the peace of most of us. And when the peace returns, so do the regular sightings.
One little girl is a little more bold than her sisters and aunties. 🙂
*Collective sigh of relief*
These are the first pix I’ve taken since returning to the basin since the snow has (mostly) melted. The roads range from completely dry in sections to stretches of snow-bordered bogginess. Ponies are foraging mostly far from roads, which is perfectly good and fine. Signs are holding up well!
Today is the 10th anniversary of the passing of Dr. Jay Kirkpatrick, beloved fertility-control advocate (and so much more) for wild horses and burros (many species of wildlife, actually). I remember that when I got the news in an email from a friend, though it was December, I thought it was some kind of cruel April Fool’s joke.
I met Dr. Jay in August 2010, when I showed up at the Science and Conservation Center in Billings, Montana, for a PZP training course. I also remember that it took me a long time to work up the courage to follow the advice of a couple of friends and contact him; he was a rock star to me. Legendary. Untouchable. Unapproachable!
Except that neither of those last two words was true.
I finally worked up the gumption to email him … and sign up for training – BEFORE we got approval to implement a PZP program in Spring Creek Basin. I tentatively approached the lab, on the grounds of ZooMontana, the day before the class officially started, to see what I was getting myself into. When Jay appeared, I didn’t ask for an autograph (!), I asked if I could give him a hug. I still remember that, while he laughed, he indulged me. … Wow, I miss him.
Jay was one of the friendliest, most down-to-earth people I’ve ever met, all the more amazing because he was also one of the very most obviously crazy-intelligent people I’ve ever met (to this day). He had this way of making everyone welcome and like you were IN ON IT with him, even as he explained his “why wouldn’t you do it this way” philosophy surrounding better management … some of which you might never quite have thought of but was so wonderfully simple – and, according to his same philosophy, attainable.
Dr. Jay was one of the best, most inspiring, most humble, most committed and dedicated people I’ve ever known, and I feel so blessed to have known him, even briefly. He trained me not only to mix and dart with PZP, the *why* behind doing it, the keeping of records (back at a time when it was particularly challenging for us in Spring Creek Basin) but also the importance of having optimism and a plan … and persevering.
I got to know him for five years, and he encouraged me through the sometimes rocky start of Spring Creek Basin’s PZP program. Even now, 14 years and only one roundup later (in 2011, when we started our PZP program), I think of him quite a lot. He’s one of the three (at least) angels watching over Spring Creek Basin, and I hope he’s proud of what we’ve accomplished here.
Friends Celeste Carlisle and Kayla Grams, along with Melissa Esser (whom I haven’t yet met but already greatly respect) visited Rocky Mountain National Park during their trip to Colorado for the Pathways 2025 Human Dimensions of Wildlife conference. Celeste wrote this blog post for Return to Freedom.
Dramatic near-sunset lighting on Piedra with our most dramatic background. 🙂
We’re still snow-free. Still have lots of mud!
The light (and shadow) loves this stout little golden boy, Odin. 🙂
Going back almost exactly a month for this one from a gorgeous, peaceful evening in Spring Creek Basin. The mercury is edging up into the 50s, making it seem more like spring (or fall? leap ahead or remember the days of “yore”?) than winter. So for this morning, an evening pic that recalls soft, warm light and a trip to water for the ponies.
Because of the mud (baby, it’s muddy out there … !!!), I haven’t been into Spring Creek Basin for a few days. The freeze-thaw cycle keeps the ground pretty muddy during the day, and I don’t want to leave ruts (or risk getting stuck) let alone having to stomp around with the weight of the world (what is that in mud per boot … hm … ?) on my boots. 🙂 So this pic of Winona is from about a month ago, pre-snow. Currently, there’s not much snow on the lower levels, but there’s some still clinging to the sides of ridges and in shady (north-facing) places. Grateful for the moisture, in any form!
Who needs a nap?
🙂
Spring Creek Basin Mustangs 