Spring Creek Basin Mustangs

The sun had been behind those clouds as it descended toward the southwestern ridge that outlines Disappointment Valley, and the light was soft and grey. Then the sun descended and lit up our world again – briefly – before it dropped and lit up the clouds above the western horizon.

Better (and more prepared) photographers than I am carry filters for such occasions when the sky is bright and the foreground subject is dark, so balance those darks and lights. … But you’ll have to use a bit of imagination to see Reya as I saw her under that fiery sky.

Our skies have been fairly bland and blue lately, which isn’t awful, really … but we’d like to see a few (OK, a lot) more clouds … especially ones carrying rain. (Isn’t that a frequent refrain on this blog? :))

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Just in case you’ve seen anything on the news about the Spring Creek Fire, it is NOT in or near Spring Creek Basin. It’s well north of here near Parachute, Colorado, which is on I-70 east of Grand Junction.

Colorado Sun coverage of the Spring Creek Fire here.

Inciweb information about the Spring Creek Fire here.

It’s hot. It’s dry. It’s terribly windy. Please be careful out there.

Some guys have all the views.

There’s still some green to be seen out in Spring Creek Basin (most of our wildflowers are done for now/the season), but mostly, after that ol’ blowin’ wind, warmer temperatures and, you know, lack of rain, we’re gettin’ a bit dusty.

Hey, “most of Colorado,” that’s been getting all this rain we in the dry southwestern corner of “Colorado that’s seemingly not recognized by ‘most of Colorado'” keep hearing about … stop being greedy and send some rain-belly clouds our way, eh? Thanks. ‘Ppreciate ya’ll. Mariah and her herdmates would like some damp conditions to freshen up their grass.

Sly Winona thinks she’s hidden as she glides softly through a pocket of trees on the edge of a big “meadow” area. Even as she moseyed out into the sunshine to graze, her stallion moved to mosey her back to the shade. I think his meaning was clear: Hey, take a rest in the shade!

Mr. Hollywood is doing all right. He’s alone but can see other horses as much or as little as he likes. When I found him this day, he was napping in the warm sunshine and gusty wind. He didn’t seem to notice me until I talked to him from across a deep arroyo. It didn’t startle him, but he raised his head and pricked his ears. He was relaxed, hip with the gash cocked comfortably (it’s healing, just a little square of rawness now, the strip of hide gone). I made a circle with him at its heart, talking to him so he wouldn’t have to try to track me with his one good eye.

That he’s able to nap (likely) means his belly was full enough to rest, and I suspect that simply grazing and napping and drinking (he was maybe a quarter of a mile from a pond with water) are his only needs right now.

He’s doing all right.

Sunset on summer solstice glows through Alegre’s fairy braids while the gnats spark like fireflies.

The days are warming up; the wind does NOT keep the gnats at bay. It’s summer for sure. 🙂

The horses are creatures of habit, though grazing time and tea time may not be specifically punctual every day. Still, the ponies do like their siestas … especially when the sun is high and the light is bright and the temp is warm.

Happy first day of summer!

Sundance seems to be saying “not my mares, pal,” to another stallion in his vicinity.

And doesn’t he look handsome in the protection of his family!