We've had a wonderful spring weather week here in Eastern Oregon. Slowly things are starting to green up, but it's still in the mid 20's in the mornings with a skiff of ice on the water troughs.
I've been getting Colt legged up...starting slowly. He runs out of air pretty quickly, so we haven't worked real hard...just taking it easy.
We've been ponying Brego with us most days for a long trot to the far end of the property on the flat. Yesterday, I decided to take a small loop up on the hill behind the house. I just took Colt...but of course all 4 dogs couldn't wait to go too!
This is my first time riding up on the hill since last fall. I was thrilled with what I saw!
The first spring flowers are all in bloom!
I don't know what they are, but they're
the only flowers so far and are mighty pretty!
Old Abby insisted that she had to go too.
She had a great time...
but she's paying for it today...she's awfully stiff 'n
sore...it's just a lil' more than her joint supplement
can deal with.
Look at all the gorgeous green bunch grass
coming up...there's going to be more than enough
feed up here for the cows, horses and burros!
I saw three Bald Eagles circling around overhead
as I started to loop back. They wouldn't cooperate
by getting in the same photo. But, I at least got
one. Sitting on a wiggly horse, zooming in, and
the bird moving all at the same
time presented a small challenge for me!
As we started to head back, Colt got jiggy on me which he really has never done before. I decided that he must need a little more riding if he was feeling so good, so we headed toward the top of the hill...another 400 feet up in elevation.
We had to stop for a couple of breathers, but he was very happy to be out and about...so was I. It felt so good to be back in the saddle and enjoying the sights and sounds of spring.
Here we've made it up to a flat spot between the
two highest points of the hill. The cows and
sometimes deer like to bed down here. There's
a lil' low spot that gets them out of the wind
and bask in the sunshine.
The rolls of wire in the photo are from
an old fence that was replaced on the south property line
which parts of got drug (somehow) almost a 1/4 mile
to this spot. We rolled up a bunch of wire when we
first moved here. One of these days, we're going
to have to pack it all down the hill.
Ah...just about to the top!
And what a view!
Steens Mountain in all her glory!
Looking back at the way we came...
Cindy Sue's in there too...the tiny lil' girl
blends in well with all the sage brush!
But, that lil' dog runs with the big dogs...
she's not one to be left on the porch!
This is one of my favorite photos of the day.
Bella Jo is just in her element. I like
how Riddle Mountain in the
background is washed out.
Colt did good...he was definitely tired and sweaty
when we got back to the barn. But, I
don't think he'd have wanted it any other way.
Enjoy your first days of Spring...I hope you get to ride your pony or just get outside in some sunshine!
Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you had a great first ride and your country is just breathtaking.
I love that photo of BellaJo with Riddle Mountain in the background. wow! That would be a great enlargement and framed photo. Along with that last one of Colt's beautiful head.
ReplyDeleteLucky you to get out and have some great riding with your pony. The yellow flowers are so cute! They remind me of the kind my grandfather would tell meto put under my chin, and if my chin glowed yellow, I supposedly liked boys. lol! lol! I think they were called buttercups?
Have no idea if yours are the same flower, because those buttercups were from back East in Maryland where I grew up.
We have bunch grass here, too. And I'm hoping with all thise snow we keep getting (got more last night!) everything will be green and the grass will grow tall!
~Lisa
I do believe those yellow flowers are buttercups. They are quite hardy here in the East. We try to get rid of them because they are poison.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful area you live in -- I've been to Oregon once and we went to an area by Three Sisters Mountain... it is very beautiful! Your pics turned out great -- many which would be wonderful enlarged!
ReplyDeleteThose are certainly buttercups. Our old wives tale was to hold it under your chin and if it reflected gold - you liked butter. Go figure.
ReplyDeleteThat ride looked like so much fun! I'm an arena baby, I couldn't imagine riding my spooky gelding out by myself, but it must've been so peaceful, a great way to ring in the equinox.
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ReplyDeleteI err…hit publish a few too many times.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I really miss your area of the country....especially when it's springtime and you get to ride outdoors. We rode in the arena last night. Although it's getting above freezing in the daytime, there's still a foot of snow on the ground.
ReplyDeleteLovely ride, and you sure had nice weather for it. You have some scenic country there; it reminds me of parts of Alberta.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your pictures of the "Other Side" of Oregon!! I especially like the view of Steens and Bella Jo's majestic pose.
ReplyDeleteWe have trees of all kinds blooming on the "Other Other Side" of Oregon spewing forth pollen. I think your little yellow flowers are just about perfect.
What a great outing you had, with some of the best scenery in the world!
What a great way to bring on Spring! You all look like you had such a nice day!!! It is so good to see you back in the saddle... Colt's saddle.
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous post, great pictures and great scenery! I always try to guess what a horse is thinking when they glance into the prairie like that, you've got so much space there!
ReplyDeleteYou must feel so free, and so must your animals.
:)
The scenery is spectacular! I love a good trail ride and it sounds like everyone had a good time.
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