Hollywood is usually one of the specific horses I look for in Spring Creek Basin to help show off the white goodness when we get snow because his color is so RICH and divine. The clouds had come over by the time I found him and his family, but he still stands out like a particularly bright spot in an otherwise mostly-monochrome landscape. He may not have the “beard” some of the horses grow in winter, but you can see how wonderfully thick is his velvet coat!
Temple was soaking in the rays during a little nap while her family grazed around her.
The temp was cold (around freezing?). The snow was crisp. The day was gorgeous! Just like the mustangs. 🙂
Mother Nature blanketed Spring Creek Basin with at least a couple of inches of snow! The amount varies a bit, but I’d guess there’s an average of at least 2 inches of the golden white stuff covering the range. It came in on a fairly warm wind, and the snow was nice and wet. Now, our temps are going to drop significantly, with highs in the 30s – much more seasonal for Colorado in December than the 40s and 50s we’d been enjoying lately.
Mostly, the horses seemed to be sheltering in out-of-the-way places, and I didn’t see many bands, but Cassidy Rain and her family were happy to visit briefly (well, maybe *I* was the one happy to visit?). 🙂
Now, let me take you on a little tour around Spring Creek Basin, seen under a pristine cover of fresh snow:
From near the original water catchment looking northwest over the rimrocks above Spring Creek canyon over northern/northwestern Disappointment Valley. Utah’s La Sal Mountains are usually visible along the horizon in the distance … but it was still snowing over them while the clouds over us were breaking and giving us that brilliant Colorado sunshine.
Our newest water catchment got a good dose of snow to start melting and filling the tanks!
From the north(ish) part of the basin, looking southeast toward McKenna Peak and Temple Butte. Look at all that pillowy white frozen goodness!
Approaching the basin’s east pocket: Juniper and her family – and the rest of us – got our snowy wish. 🙂
As I was heading out of the basin, just as the sun was sinking into a cloud bank above the valley’s southern ridges, I stopped on rollercoaster ridge to photograph a wild little snowburst over western Disappointment Valley beyond Spring Creek Basin – from a single crazy cloud! And yes, in the foreground is a pond, still – still! – nearly full to the brim.
Despite the coming frigid temps, I think we’re all pretty happy about the snowfall. 🙂
With any luck at all – and a bit of nudging from Ms. Ma Nature – Juniper will be standing on a blanket of snow and looking at a white-draped McKenna Peak this morning. The forecast is strong, and though we keep getting these little half-inch dustings, we are hopeful!
Is it just me, or does Buckeye look a little chunky this winter?
I do love a hefty mustang!
I nearly passed below Cassidy Rain and her family without seeing them before I happened to look up and, well, DID see them – on a ridge above the road. After a quick upward hike, I was rewarded with a dramatic background behind them.
Do you love her expression? It seems a bit like “well, since you’ve found us, now what are you going to do about it?”
Make sure all the folks at home see your lovely self, beauty girl. Just that. 🙂
Two doses of Sundance in two days!
We got a little dose of snow again – why are these first winter doses so small?! – and he kindly highlighted the remnants in eastern Spring Creek Basin. After a big forecast buildup, the snow was a mere *skiff*, but the moisture is, as always, appreciated. Sundance, also, is always appreciated. 🙂
Sundance, in addition to being (of course) uber handsome, has this really great way of serving to enhance and highlight the scenery of Spring Creek Basin. …
Partly, I think, it’s because he and his band are usually in the farther eastern reaches of the basin, which allows the opportunity to look out over some of the amazing scenery of the basin!
Partly, of course, it’s because he is Mr. Handsome, and he just DOES enhance any scenery he’s in. 🙂
P.S. Added bonus in the second pic: If you click on it to enlarge it, you might be able to see the new water catchment – in the basin’s northwest valley, in the very far distance – directly under Sundance’s lower lip. I didn’t even realize it when I took the pic; it wasn’t until I was processing the image that I saw it!
Sometimes, there’s just no impressing the girls, boys, no matter the energy you put into your greetings. 🙂
Rowan and Dundee have a faint glow of subdued light after the sun had set behind Filly Peak. They’re so pretty in any light!
Spring Creek Basin Mustangs 