The mustangs don’t know what day it is, which is to say that they don’t attach any particular significance to one day over any other. We humans do that.
Christmas was beautiful. 🙂
We had a drizzle in the morning, and by the time I went out to look for mustangs, the ground was dry, the light was fabulous, and the mustangs were dry and enjoying the warm south wind (the temp might have hit 60 again?).
Our very own peace on our own little patch of this beautiful planet. Truly. 🙂
However you celebrate the winter/Christmas/Hanukkah season, with those who are important to you and enrich your lives in all the best ways, from our herd to yours, we wish you peace, joy and love!
Terra framed by Alegre. 🙂
Merry Christmas Eve!
The day before solstice was cloudy and grey, but in the middle, there was black and white: Corazon! 🙂
Dust on winter solstice? Sure. Because we haven’t had a drop of moisture since the very beginning of the month.
High temp of at least 64F (second day in the 60s after a week in the 50s)? Sure, let’s pretend it’s autumn. And it has been warm enough – and windy lately – that most mud is mostly dry. (See that white spot at far left, though? That’s a patch of snow.)
It’s hard to deny how beautiful the weather has been. … It’s impossible to not start the usual worry about how a terrible (dry) winter will lead to an awful growing season.
Yesterday (see above, Aiyanna following the band down to water on a dusty trail) was winter solstice, the beginning of winter (and now lengthening days), “a promise that the light always returns,” I heard recently. Can we amend that to the start of the season when the snow replenishes the soil and vegetation in anticipation of the coming year?
Please, please, PLEASE, Santa, Mother Nature and Old Man Winter, bring us snow this winter!
Let it snow, let it snow, LET IT SNOW! 🙂
We don’t have snow. Mud is drying. Temp was at least 61F recently. Wind hails from the warm south. Rain is forecast for Christmas (in Colorado!?!?).
We have water.
Ah, the little (big) important things. 🙂
Happy winter solstice!
The elk surprised me running around a hill as I toodled up the road. I stopped immediately, but they were not in the mood to also stop, and they kept going. These are probably the first elk I’ve seen since before the main rifle seasons. I’m happy they’re here … though unhappy that I disturbed their peace!
Sunrise in Disappointment Valley highlighting mule deer (I’m so glad to see the bucks back!) in the greasewood and chamisa (rabbitbrush) and willows and cottonwoods along Disappointment Creek, looking toward Spring Creek Basin. It was a drive-by shot, and I couldn’t actually see what I was shooting on my phone’s screen, but the light was so beautiful highlighting the pretty and handsome does and bucks, I literally pointed and pressed the button.
Spring Creek Basin isn’t large (though it can seem so). Mostly, I see all but the most elusive mustangs fairly regularly. But when I don’t see the regulars in places where I’m used to seeing them, a change of location – looking and going – is a must.
Which led to my first visit with Buckeye’s band (and Rowan, pictured) this week since I returned from my Thanksgiving getaway.
Happy. 🙂
During the hunting seasons (basically starting the first of September and running across or nearly to (and in some cases past) Thanksgiving in Colorado), the wild antlered critters make scarce. I don’t know the numbers, but the traffic and human population of Disappointment Valley increases wildly (sorry) during that time – and not in a good way for the peace of most of us. And when the peace returns, so do the regular sightings.
One little girl is a little more bold than her sisters and aunties. 🙂
*Collective sigh of relief*
These are the first pix I’ve taken since returning to the basin since the snow has (mostly) melted. The roads range from completely dry in sections to stretches of snow-bordered bogginess. Ponies are foraging mostly far from roads, which is perfectly good and fine. Signs are holding up well!
Spring Creek Basin Mustangs 