Run, Spring Creek, run!

19 03 2019

Skywalker and S'aka in Spring Creek, in Spring Creek Basin.

You’re about to read something you might not ever read on this blog again:

These mustangs are in Spring Creek.

🙂

Spring Creek actually is flowing in Spring Creek Basin these days, and it’s flowing from snow melt – and rain – and it is providing the horses with more than a flash of drinking water. This is the first time I’ve really known the arroyo that is Spring Creek to run with snow melt. Usually, it flows for a limited time after a significant rain event, and then it’s a dry arroyo again.

This has been an unusual winter in many ways.

Now, our Spring Creek Basin mustangs are enjoying water in Spring Creek, and it’s a beautiful world after all. 🙂

(Spring Creek and its tributary arroyos – many of which also are running or at least trickling with water right now – drain Spring Creek Basin, which really is a large geographic “bowl.” Water drains out of the basin and flows in the Spring Creek arroyo across lower Disappointment Valley to Disappointment Creek, and from there to the Dolores River. Usually, all those arroyos are dry, and Spring *Creek* is a misnomer. The mustangs always are in Spring Creek *Basin* Herd Management Area. They’re rarely in Spring *Creek* because it – and the other arroyos – usually are simply dry washes or ditches or drainages.)





A little of everything

18 03 2019

Killian; Temple Butte

A little snow on the far ridges (like Temple Butte), a little mud on the ponies (and the boots). That’s our Spring Creek Basin. 🙂





Miss Red

17 03 2019

Tesora

Another little bitty pretty in the basin. 🙂





Bright spots

15 03 2019

Maia, Houdini and Alegre

The sun is shining after three days and nights of rain (we didn’t float away, but we sure are soggy!), and these three girls are shining bright in these sweet March days.





The spirit of Spirit

14 03 2019

Spirit

She’s the prettiest shaggy little lady ever. 🙂





We. Are. Grateful.

13 03 2019

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Yeah.

It’s a little bit like that. 🙂





The best of green and blue

12 03 2019

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The little blue “square” in the middle is just east of McKenna Peak Wilderness Study Area (labeled), which is east of and in the eastern part of Spring Creek Basin Herd Management Area.

I’m wearing a smile as big and broad as lower Disappointment Valley. 🙂





Noticed

12 03 2019

Maiku

Maiku, a bachelor following a band, gives another bachelor the stink eye.

Walking out to visit them, I crossed several arroyos – all of which had clear water trickling through the bottoms. Wow. Even this wonderful winter, that’s a remarkable thing here in the desert, and it deserves to be remarked upon!





Promise

11 03 2019

Roller-coaster ridge pond; La Sal Mountains in the background.

Very full pond in Spring Creek Basin.

🙂 <– all smiles –> 🙂





Shades of brown

10 03 2019

Tenaz; Spring Creek canyon

After a full day of rain, rain and more drizzly rain, we are soggy. 🙂

This pic of sleepy Tenaz was taken last month. Access to the basin is difficult lately. In the very best way!