This targeted downpour over southeastern Spring Creek Basin and upper-ish Disappointment Valley was by no means the only rain we got in the last couple of days. And it probably wasn’t even the most dramatic. But it sure was cool. 🙂
Depending on the part of the valley, we got anywhere from half an inch to probably at least an inch of rain between Thursday afternoon and Friday evening. Every drop is so very welcome.
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.
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.
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.
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. 🙂
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. 🙂
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!
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!
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. 🙂
By the time I realized the nearly-full moon was rising, it was well up.
Still gorgeous!
(Not bad for cell-phone pix, eh?)
Spring Creek Basin Mustangs 