~There's something about riding a horse that gives me freedom of spirit.~
~Robin Pearl 1880~
Participating this week in:
This wet, cool spring has been good on our electric bill as far as pumping irrigation water (we only irrigated 5 days since May 11), but it's been hard to get a really good growth. We came to a point where we had to decide whether to irrigate or cut it...last week we decided to have Hay Man Rudy cut it on Thursday of this week.
As soon as the dew had dried, which wasn't until mid afternoon, the beautiful sound of tractor and swather engines filled the air echoing off the rim rock.
 |
| Hay Man Rudy doin' what he loves to do! |
 |
| Beautiful green rows of fresh cut alfalfa...destined for a dairy in the Willamette Valley. |
 |
| Dueling swathers...we hire our neighbors, a husband and wife team, to cut, rake and bale. For the amount of acres we grow, it's much more cost effective for us to contract it out. |
This week, I took a couple of rides with Colt up on our hill. I hadn't been up there since last fall...it's absolutely gorgeous up there...the grass and flowers are abundant and the critters are quite happy!
 |
| The Welcoming Committee...more commonly known as The Wild Bunch; two previously wild horses and two burros. |
 |
| Brego the Kiger Mustang rushes up to Colt and I to say Howdy! |
 |
| The happy lil' herd. This spring grass sure has put some growth on our calves! It seems like they were just born a few weeks ago, but it's been almost three months! |
 |
| Goof. Doesn't he look purdy with yellow and purple flowers? He seems to be enjoying his work/vacation with our Cowgirls. But, neither Annabelle or Ellie Mae have come into cycle yet. Goof looks bored ;~) |
 |
| Spring flowers are in full bloom. There are a lot of Indian Paint Brush in bloom too. |
 |
| Colt enjoys our outings up on the hill. |
 |
| Cindy Sue gets lost in the tall grass. In the 5 years we've been here, this is the best spring grass we've had. |
 |
| Bella Jo of course is in her element...she ran a coyote off for us too. Gotta protect lil' Cindy Sue. |
 |
| I think I'd enjoy being a horse or a cow up on our hill...how 'bout you?!? |
Enjoy your Friday and your weekend! Head on over to SkyWatch Friday and FarmGirl Friday and see what everyone's up to!
Very cool!
ReplyDeleteI bet the smell of that fresh cut hay was wonderful!
That's the kind of ride that makes all the world right.... a good horse to ride, happy critters, a beautiful view, and nature bursting forth in all its glory.
ReplyDeleteJust glorious.
ReplyDeleteNice, nice! What a beautiful world you are in! My daughter loves horses and she couldn't get enough of your photos! Thanks for sharing! :)
ReplyDeleteI hope you can visit and see my MARVELOUS MOON captures and be amazed yourself! Have a great weekend!
Soooo pretty where you live. This is the perfect time of year.
ReplyDeleteWell, that pretty much answers my question from yesterday. My gosh it's beautiful over there! As usual your pictures are terrific. Goof definitately looks happy, lucky guy!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous photos! Those mustangs are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThe "hill" is beautiful! Calves are growing quickly and poor Goof the girls don't like him .. yet
ReplyDeleteSure looking good there! Its been pretty wet and cold here too, and we are thinking of cutting hay but probly wont be for another week or so.
ReplyDeleteLookin't REAL good!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed seeing about the alfalfa and your ride. :)
ReplyDeleteJust lovely. All of it.
ReplyDeleteHowdy from central Washington, where we've got grass up the wazoo, too.
ReplyDeleteI don't think my horses have ever been this pudgy in the springtime...I know it's not good for them, but Mother Nature hasn't listened to my requests for some hot weather.
Really nice photos--I've lived in the desert for a long time but it's taken me about as long to appreciate the beauty of it. Spring has got to be the best season of all out here.
I'd say livin up there would be a bit of alright.That Alfalfa looks like I want to eat it.....I can smell that from here ummmm ummmmm good!.
ReplyDelete