Happy Thanksgiving!

22 11 2012

This year, as every year, I am so thankful for the people in my life. For my family, above all, and for my friends who are like family.

I am grateful for one of the best years of my life and everything that came together that allows me to spend so much time with the mustangs that mean the world to me.

I am grateful for our Spring Creek Basin mustangs, these magical animals that make my heart sing every time I see them.

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.

Be grateful for all the joys in your lives!





Water babies

21 11 2012

Finding water is serious business for wild horses. But there’s always time for a little fun!

See Killian (yearling) and Cassidy Rain (6 months old) drinking in an arroyo.

See Killian and Cassidy Rain play!

See Killian and Cassidy Rain, beautiful babies!





On the run to water

20 11 2012

Evening drink time:

Gaia, Cassidy Rain, Killian and Roja run down a slope to join Storm at a water seep in an arroyo!

Love the rich colors of their fuzzy coats in diffuse sunset light.

It’s so dry – still. Seeing them drink was a welcome sight. Ranchers are hauling water to their cattle that still are on the range (not Spring Creek Basin but in nearby areas). All rain and/or snow dances welcome!





Corona

19 11 2012

Raven’s little girl has finally filled out some in the fall of her third year.

She was sticking close to Mariah; she’s a good auntie to Mariah and Maia. While she still could be mistaken for a “grey” from a distance, up close, her coat has more color.

She is the daughter of Sand Wash Basin’s fabulous Corona (hence her name). Mama Raven came to Spring Creek Basin in 2008 with Mona and Kootenai.





Maia

18 11 2012

This little girl looks a lot like daddy Bounce, with the same coloring as big brother Whisper. She’ll eventually turn as grey as mama Alegre.

Not-quite-black beauty in a small package. 🙂





Lovely ladies

17 11 2012

Grey/Traveler’s mares:

Wise Houdini

Elegant Alegre

Both grey, both beautiful. Houdini is likely 15+, and Alegre probably is around 8 years old.





Grey’s grey girls

16 11 2012

Don’t let the babies’ shades fool you – they’re all grey!

Mariah reminds me a lot of Gemma (a big sister who was adopted last year). Beautiful and bold. Maia is much more shy. A lot of her daddy (Bounce) in her.

Lovely last light on lovely girls.





Mama + daughter

16 11 2012

= Gorgeous!

Houdini and Mariah at sunset with the La Sal Mountains in the background.

Hunting season (the fourth and last) is almost over. The horses have been more scarce and difficult to find this year than any I can remember. Grey/Traveler’s band was back in Poco’s territory. There’s water to the north in the east-pocket and Sorrel Flats ponds, and there’s water to the south in the roller-coaster-ridge pond (and Hollywood’s and Comanche’s bands and Seven, Aspen, Hayden, Tenaz and Apollo were in that vicinity). And there’s water in the arroyos – including where Storm’s band drank before sassy Cassidy Rain strutted her stuff!





Saaaaaaaaaa-ssy!

15 11 2012

Baby got ‘tude! 🙂

Miss Cassidy Rain is one sassy filly!

When I first saw them, from quite a distance, Cassidy was a dark shape at the feet of … stepdaddy Storm! Roja and Killian were grazing some distance away from them, and mama Gaia was really far away. Anyone watching would have thought Storm was Cassidy’s mother. But no, this young stepdaddy was protecting his baby stepdaughter, watching over her as she napped so mama could graze. Does that melt your heart or what? And that’s what daddies do. Just another wild day in the basin.





Super sparkle

15 11 2012

Going back a couple of weeks for a look at Kestrel’s and Comanche’s baby girl:

Madison. Fuzzy, muddy girl! Love her rich red bay. No need for white when you’re this gorgeous!