Corazon, lookin’ all wild-stallion-like against the big, blue, Colorado sky.
We’ve had a couple of 30-plus-degree days, so some melting has been happening. That said, we still have a fair bit of snow on the ground, AND we have snow in tomorrow’s forecast! Doesn’t get much better than that. 🙂
Temple grazes through the snow (still!) in the divine late light. Spring Creek canyon is in the background.
Nearly two weeks after our big Christmas snowfall, we (still!) have snow on the ground!
Ol’ Aspen gives me the sideways stinkeye. He cracks me up. 🙂
The last big day that I was out with the mustangs, the sun was pretty bright. This time of year, it stays fairly low in the southern sky, but you still get some glare.
The horses were in an area of dried sunflower stalks when Comanche went after his lieutenant, who had the temerity to get too close to one of his mares (!). I was up the hill above where they ran and ended up shooting in the direction of the sun.
I love his action and the lines in the background, so when I was going through photos, it occurred to me that this one might work in black and white. The scene is a bit “busy,” and I’m not sure whether that works for it or not.
For contrast, here’s the same image in color:
Well, I know which one I like better. I’m a see’er-in-color, after all. 🙂
Every now and then, it’s fun to take a different look at the familiar.
Each one different, unique, loved, welcomed.
Yes, things are more difficult in the winter, but we in the world of drought welcome all the winter moisture for the hopeful and hoped-for summer relief.
They grab these big mouthfuls of snakeweed and mouth them around a few moments, then drop them and go for another bite. … I can’t figure out why.
But, for a few moments, they all look like they’ve picked a big bouquet of dried flowers, which is kinda cute. 🙂
The first day of the new year crawled in quietly. We had a little snow and only a little sunshine (unlike this image of Winona from a few days ago). We’ll take the snow and the softly seeping moisture!
It’s here! 2020!
Much of our current technology makes our lives easier or better, but the things most lacking in technology still might be the ones that bring us the most peace and happiness. Spending time in the natural world, on trails, not roads, with mustangs, not on social media, brings me the most peace and happiness.
When I scrolled down through the blog posts from the last year, it became apparent that I tend to repeat a few basic words:
Beauty.
Moisture.
Gratitude.
Beauty = It surrounds me. It lifts me. It is a constant in my life. From the mustangs themselves to this little paradise in southwestern Colorado, beauty permeates my life.
Moisture = We always seem to need it … and more of it. 🙂 When we’re lacking it, we worry. When we receive it, we’re grateful.
Gratitude = The most important aspect of appreciating all that surrounds us in this life, the challenges as well as the blessings.
There’s a lot going on in the world today. Many headlines are negative and, in some cases, downright terrifying. There tends to be a feeling of dismay, of crushing hopelessness, the thought that any one of us can’t do anything against the onslaught of doom.
And yet light shines. Possibly – probably – in more places than we realize. For all the negative headlines, there are stories that don’t make headlines, that go unnoticed except by the people involved.
We have a pretty good story going here in Spring Creek Basin. Our partnership with BLM has resulted in a mustang herd that is well-managed and cherished.
Our horses are beautiful. We have moisture.
We are grateful.
Here’s to more of the same in 2020. 🙂
How did the end of the year get here?
Don’t answer that. (Cuz it’s kinda obvious!)
“Where did the year go?” seems to be the leading question at this time of year, every year.
We can learn a lot from the mustangs, living in the moment, whether it’s dry and dusty or glistening white with welcome moisture. Humans are made to worry about the future, seemingly.
Looking to the past, our work and commitment has put the management of Spring Creek Basin’s mustang herd in rarefied air; it’s good. Our horses are healthy. Our range is healthy. Our partnership with our BLM herd manager and other local BLM’ers is strong. We’ve worked hard for all of those blessings.
Looking to the future, our goals are the same: Healthy horses, healthy range, healthy partnership.
Because of our past work, our future – *their* future – looks good.
To all of you who follow this blog and these mustangs, thank you for your support of our wild ones. Sharing them with the world is a blessing I treasure.
When our lives depend on moisture that falls frozen in the winter, to be hoarded for the heat and dry of summer, this kind of view tends to make us giddy with happiness … with relief.
At the end of a full day of glittering snow falling, falling on our land, the sun blazed through a clear blue sky as long yesterday as it was hidden the day before. Temperatures were cold – and the beauty, divine.
As the calendar year rushes toward its close, I wish for you all joy in the beauty of your world, wherever you may be.
Spring Creek Basin Mustangs 