One of our sights from the “count”:
Kestrel, baby and big sister Juniper.
I forgot to say that in addition to our weed inventory, we saw all but two of the horses! The pintos – like last year – even made a surprise appearance into the northern part of the basin, so were seen by both groups.
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.
Juniper and Kestrel, standing just off the road.
Earlier, racing to catch up to Comanche, who was grazing on the other side of the road.
Comanche
Kestrel and Juniper
Peeking ponies looking gorgeous on a perfect spring morning!
Comanche
Juniper
Juni sauntered up alongside Daddy where he was grazing and “tickled” him till he paid attention to her.
So patient. 🙂
So, so, so like her daddy.
Handsome daddy Comanche will meet his second baby this spring. Mama Kestrel is due in May.
What do you think he’s saying?
Nice teeth, pal. 🙂
Like daddy, like daughter! (Take care of those pearly whites, Juniper!)
Mama Kestrel was her usual calm self. Who do you suppose is there in the background? Clue: How many grey horses do you count?
Seems like forever since I’ve been in to see the ponies. I’ve missed them. It felt *good* to sit on the hill with the setting sun shining on us, horses grazing, birds wheeling, pronghorn watchful. Wonderfully simple and natural and normal. Wonderful and beautiful.
The horses had a few other visitors. People soaking up springtime and mustang magic.
Comanche is devoted to Kestrel. He won her quietly, after she had Winona last spring. She was with Mahogany at the time, with Sundance with Aspen and Comanche trailing. While Sundance focused on Mahogany and Aspen focused on them, Comanche smoothly established himself as protector of Kestrel and her new filly. And protect them he did, even after the family grew this spring to include Juniper. Winona ended up with Grey/Traveler right before the roundup … I’d love to know how that happened.
For quite a while – even before the roundup – they’ve been hanging close to Hollywood and Piedra. One of the most interesting dynamics going.
Comanche and his baby girl, Juniper.
Mama Kestrel and her baby girl.
Juni is close to her first birthday.
Mama carrying the next generation – will it be a brother or a sister for Juniper?
Handsome daddy. 🙂
A long view of Sundance’s band (“near”) and Kreacher and Duke. Apollo and Raven are the two dark horses at near left, then Sundance, Kootenai and Mysterium at right. Straight back “above” Sundance is Duke, and just down the slope – left – from Duke is Kreacher; he’s hard to see, grey against snow. The Spring Creek arroyo is between them.
Much nearer – Juniper. Fuzzy, furry, wooly little bear cub! How cute is she?!
Mama Kestrel … and not too far away, snow spilling over the eastern ridges – unnamed promontory and McKenna Peak.
Last view of the day, looking in the opposite direction from above – west – snow falling in clouds beyond Spring Creek Canyon.
Spring Creek Basin Mustangs 