The light was bright and harsh when I took this of Comanche, but I love the graceful sweep of his tail as he follows Kestrel and the girls (Madison and Juniper), who were following Hollywood’s band away from the trickle.
I almost never pass up an opportunity to photograph this handsome mister. He always looks fabulous!
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. 🙂
Comanche’s band sticks pretty close to Hollywood’s band. The stallions zealously guard their mares – and if the mares get out of line, they send them back! Interesting to watch. Duke and Seven also are with the band most of the time, and this day, Kreacher’s little band (he got Roja and Killian) also was nearby and drank from a different part of the canyon.
Kestrel and Madison, taking the high ground as Kreacher’s band pushed in behind them.
While it’s totally human of me, I’m so glad to see Kestrel and Comanche and the girls reunited.
Juniper shows off her mad mountain goat skillz on the side of Spring Creek Canyon.
It doesn’t look like much, but yes, there’s water.
Comanche stretches his big trot on his way to catching up with his family after warning Kreacher’s not to get too close.
Adios!
Kestrel’s family is reunited.
Juniper looking, mama Kestrel and baby Madison grazing, daddy Comanche in the back.
Kestrel crossed a good part of the basin and got away from David to reunite her family. Never underestimate the power of a mare.
Still close to Hollywood’s band.
Comanche’s band in the foreground, Hollywood’s band in the background. Baby Temple is lying on the ground in front of Piedra.
A book could be written about why they do what they do (I’m sure it’s out there).
Comanche’s band is fine … sans Comanche. Comanche has taken to hanging with Hollywood, and David has added Kestrel, Juniper and Madison to his family, which previously included just Shadow. No pix yet (of David and his new band) because of distance.
Calling.
Sunset light
He didn’t leave his band unscathed, but why did he leave?
Duke is still hanging out with Kreacher, who has taken an interest in Aspen’s band, which includes a former mare of his: Mona. Storm also still is following the band, but Bounce gave up on them and is enjoying his own company.
Whew. It must be spring. 🙂
What won’t the boys do to impress the ladies? Duke in the background, Piedra at right, and Juniper, Kestrel and her newest daughter.
Comanche keeping Duke at bay.
Duke running one way …
Comanche trotting back to his girls!
Oh, handsome!
Thank you to the rain dancers among you! We got rain today. Not a lot, not much, drops you could count in the dry, dry dirt. But rain. Oh, the scent of rain-on-the-air. And more in the forecast. Dance away!
Kestrel’s baby has unfurled her wings!
Lovely little!
Still a bit wobbly on those long legs, and can you even stand the cuteness of those curled little ears?
And check the ‘tude! It’s tempered, though, by ultimate sweetness.
The little bay girl has not a speck of white. She might stay bay? Her teeny little fetlocks are black. She still may go grey, like daddy.
Isn’t she just the most exquisite little thing? Do you see the kindness in her eyes? Mirrored in her mother’s eyes?
Another beautiful addition to our Spring Creek Basin family.
This beautiful buckskin girl is getting close, too.
Kestrel, looking at Comanche, with her almost-yearling daughter, Juniper. I love that spattering of dark dapples on Kes.
Stunning Comanche, gorgeous in any light. Keeping watch over his girls. He is the sire of Juniper and Kestrel’s baby-to-come.
It won’t be much longer now … baby season!
I saw Shadow the other day. She’s the first due (just before the middle of April), but she’s not very wide. And yes, she is back with David!
Piedra is due after the middle of April. She has had two colts and a filly, all by Hollywood, who also is this foal’s sire.
Kestrel is due before the middle of May. She has had two fillies, one by Mouse and one by Comanche (seen in the background). This year’s foal’s sire is Comanche.
Raven also is due before the middle of May. She has had a filly (by Corona in her native Sand Wash Basin) and a colt, by Kreacher, who also is the sire of this year’s foal. She (and Kootenai) are both in Sundance’s band now.
Alegre is due right around the middle of May. She has had two fillies and a colt (and lost one foal). Gaia’s sire is unknown, but Bounce is the sire of the other two and this year’s foal. She is with Grey/Traveler now.
Houdini is due around the middle of April. She is one of three mares who has had surviving foals each year since at least 2007. Two different sires: Junior (rounded up in 2007) and Grey/Traveler, who also is the sire of this year’s foal. (She also had been with Grey in the early 2000s.) All her foals since 2007 have been fillies.
OK, so a couple more than a coupla bellies! Not all, though. These are just the most recent pix I have of girls due!
Comanche
Kestrel and Juniper
Peeking ponies looking gorgeous on a perfect spring morning!
Spring Creek Basin Mustangs 