Sweet summer time

20 06 2024

Today is the summer solstice!

According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac (linked above), “In the Northern Hemisphere, the June solstice (aka summer solstice) occurs when the Sun travels along its northernmost path in the sky. This marks the astronomical start of summer in the northern half of the globe. (In the Southern Hemisphere, it’s the opposite: the June solstice marks the astronomical start of winter when the Sun is at its lowest point in the sky.)

“This solstice marks the official beginning of summer in the Northern Hemisphere, occurring when Earth arrives at the point in its orbit where the North Pole is at its maximum tilt (about 23.5 degrees) toward the Sun, resulting in the longest day and shortest night of the calendar year. (By longest “day,” we mean the longest period of sunlight hours.) On the day of the June solstice, the Northern Hemisphere receives sunlight at the most direct angle of the year.”

The pic of the nearly-full moon rising over Spring Creek Basin landmarks McKenna Peak, Temple Butte, submarine ridge and Brumley Point was taken last night.

What is THAT crazy little alien-looking bee on these prickly pear cacti? There were two of them, and they were busily busy in the depths of these lovely blooms along a road in the basin.





Bittersweet

18 06 2024

Every sighting of Hollywood is a good one – and it had been a while since I’d seen him last – but I will admit that it’s hard seeing him so thin. He’s following a band, which is a relief. He’s not challenging; it seems he’s simply interested in the company.





More besties

9 06 2024

Another pair of besties – and for a very long time, at least since Kestrel was just a wee weanling. Piedra has been with her or in a neighboring band for many, many years.





Wrapped

6 06 2024

Is it just me, or is Master Odin growing up ever so handsome?!

He already has all his aunties wrapped around his hooves; it’s only a matter of time for some other lucky filly. 🙂





Late moon rising

3 06 2024

The full moon rose more than a week ago … in fact, almost two weeks ago by the time you read this post.

The satellite dish for my Internet got bumped or knocked or yanked three-plus weeks ago, and I’m waiting for the less-than-“lightning-fast” approach to getting it realigned (and upgraded – might as well, eh?). So the past few weeks of posts have been scheduled well ahead of time at a couple of regional libraries. Other than the delay in my replies to comments, I hope there’s been no lag or delay on readers’ ends in getting the posts or seeing the beautiful mustangs featured.

With any hope, by the time you read this, I will be that much closer to having convenient Internet at my house once again.

This (above) was such a beautiful evening that I thought, even though it’s very late, it’s worth being seen. That’s Shane and Odin in the pic, moseying to catch up with the rest of the band. The sun had already set, and I was getting nervous about the walk back to the Jeep in the potential dark (it IS snake season now, after all). But the moon DID finally rise, and at least some of the horses were fairly cooperative about walking through the scene – as opposed to grazing behind greasewood. 🙂





Making it look easy

28 05 2024

Skywalker also is one who doesn’t like to expend any more energy than necessary. 🙂 He saves his energy for when it’s really necessary, like showing interest in a pretty young filly. He’s a champion napper!





Reluctant handsome

11 05 2024

As eye-catching as he is, Corazon isn’t really the modeling type. Here, I caught him napping in a scenic location. I call that a win!





Lovely light and a pinto pony

25 04 2024

Wily Chipeta tried her best to skunk me on this pic.

The view and the *light* on the view (McKenna Peak and Temple Butte) was SO pretty that I sat down in a shallow little drainage and waited for the band to mosey their way down the little slope they were on, right through that view.

Chipeta, of course, was the very last, after most everybody had grazed their way through with heads down and semi-hidden by the grass. Just as she went through my viewfinder – and I had to hold the camera vertical to get all the view within the frame – she picked up her pace, and I thought for sure I’d have a blurry mess. … But nope; gotcha, beauty. 🙂





Nothin’ but blue

22 04 2024

By the time I realized the nearly-full moon was rising, it was well up.

Still gorgeous!

(Not bad for cell-phone pix, eh?)





Pretty, classic

15 04 2024

It might seem that Rowan is monopolizing the photo opportunities among the members of Buckeye’s band, but in truth, her current feature on the blog is because, of all the horses, she’s the only one who looked up for a few seconds while I had that classic Spring Creek Basin skyline in my viewfinder! The horses are most definitely chasing the green, which – I know – is hardly visible unless you look closely. But it’s coming on. … And with any hope, the rain in today’s forecast will help greatly! (All prayers, wishes, hopes, dances, jigs and crossed fingers appreciated!)