Always handsome, this pair.
Skywalker with big sister Mysterium.
This band has been relatively elusive lately; this photo is from late August. I last saw them last week, way up high above the northwest valley toward Klondike Basin. A couple of Forest Service folks – H and W – brought Pinch and Jammer and Traveler (!), and we rode some fence and fixed some fence. It was a great couple of days, and the mustangs are safer because of it!
I got to watch young Skywalker trying to get stepdaddy Sundance to play recently. And I had to laugh at the way it “ended.”
First “invitation” to play.
Sundance responded half-heartedly, which led to Skywalker baby clacking, and Sundance resumed his grazing. This was the second invitation.
So Sky launches the tried-and-true tactic of babies everywhere: Go for the hocks.
Sundance’s response. Again, half-hearted (there was no actual kicking involved).
But Sky now is wise to papa’s avoidance, and he continues (maybe he recently made acquaintance with Badger at the spring?) until Sundance indulges him.
At which point, baby runs straight to Mama. 🙂
I hope this brings a chuckle to your day!
All the foals are a joy to watch, but that little Skywalker is an extra gem.
They remind me of Apollo and Mysterium playing.
Who, me?
Soon after this, he turned his attention on stepdaddy Sundance. How fun to watch this bright, inquisitive colt!
And here’s the followup pic that prompts the “is she pregnant” question:
I’ve been amazed that Mysterium has still been nursing. My experience with the mares is that they start kicking off their babies about three months or so before they’re due to foal again.
So maybe pregnant … but not by her due date!? Mysterium will be 1 year old on Aug. 21!
Makes ya go hmm.
Terra update to come.
Already under shadow:
The sun had nearly sunk below the hill Sundance’s band was on, casting them into shade. Pretty (dirty) girl Mysterium is looking over at mama Kootenai while stepdaddy Sundance looks up from grazing in the background.
Not so much time to put together long, narrative posts, or even to go through photos from visits. So that’s the reason for the single-photo posts; something in my recent files catches my eye, and I tweak it and share it as a snapshot into the horses’ lives. It is hot and dry, too, and that is draining for humans, if not the horses, who seem to go on, life as usual.
Kinda funny at the same time that it’s a sweet moment between Mysterium and Kootenai. Two faces … and two butts. 🙂
I’m loving Myst’s “beauty spot.” It’s just a little scar, but it’s perfectly placed, eh? She carries it off.
Sundance and Mysterium
What a good stepdaddy he is. 🙂
Kootenai is less than two months from her due date.
And Mysterium is still nursing.
And the baby girl shows no sign of stopping – nor Kootenai of weaning her.
She looks healthy and glowing with good health, doesn’t she?
Am I biased, or is she really as stunning as I think she is? Maybe it’s her color (dun), maybe it’s their shared Sand Wash Basin heritage, but she and Winona (buckskin) remind me quite a bit of each other.
Tell me the little miss isn’t just exquisite! Such refined, pretty faces and kind eyes.
I love Skywalker’s funny little look at “auntie” Kootenai over his shoulder. Raven is grazing just in front of him.
I had the most peaceful visit with this colorful family at sunset. I went out and sat, and Raven calmly and surely grazed her way toward me, and then they were all around. Like a laidback introduction of baby to “society.” So sweet about it.
Grey/Traveler’s family also were in Wildcat Valley; they’ve been hanging out there for weeks now, with water in a rough triangle between the trickle (which is doing well after our work), Wildcat Spring and the main arroyo at the base of the east-west hill.
Kootenai’s due date is a surer thing than our next rain! How weird that is to contemplate.
Thank you to all who have expressed care and concern for those in Southwest Colorado who have been evacuated from their homes and/or are fighting the fires. Most of the smaller, lightning-strike fires have been stopped in their tracks, apparently. The Weber Fire just southeast of Mancos is now estimated at 9,279 acres with 45 percent containment. Unfortunately, a juvenile is a “person of interest” in connection with starting that fire.
When did our baby Mysterium grow up to be such a gorgeous young lady?
Of course, she’s not grown up yet. Her first birthday isn’t till August. She’s even still nursing. But what a stunner.
The thrill of anticipation, surpassed only by the joy of arrival!
With a face like that, it can only be …
Raven’s little blackbird!
Baby and the family. They gifted me with the most gorgeous visit … I can’t begin to tell you how my heart sings just to sit with them in their world, on a hilltop surrounded by hills and valleys and open sky. It’s a place so full of magic, wild life, you can’t help but be touched by world’s grace.
One bit of distressing news: Apollo is missing from the band. I’m hoping he shows up with youngsters Hayden and Tenaz. I haven’t posted pix of them yet, but they’re together.
Sundance, baby’s stepdaddy, snoozing with the band. Kreacher is the colt’s sire; he lost the band to Sundance just before the roundup last fall. Apollo is baby’s full brother, and Mysterium is his half-sister.
One little teeny spot marks him a pinto like mama. I had wondered whether she would eventually pass on her spots … but I’m not sure baby will stay black like her. He’s sort of “faded” in the middle, and I’m guessing he will go grey like daddy.
Showing off more white, preparing to lie down near sister.
Speaking of Mysterium, isn’t she growing up gorgeous?
Do you not love that face?!
And the big mustang walk already. 🙂
Let’s hear it: Awwwwwww!
Welcome to your wild world, little one!
Spring Creek Basin Mustangs 