Sitting Pretty

Remember five months and six days ago...

...when Wings had her first calf, Sky?

And Ziggy had Zoey a day later?

Wings, Sky, and Zoey today. 

"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" ~Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

Lost Mirror Lake

It's known by some as the Middle Tensleep Creek Trail; others call it the Lost Twin Lakes Trail. After studying the Forest Service map at the trailhead, we set our sights on Mirror Lake, which appeared to lie some two or three miles up the trail. 

We hiked for hours but never found Mirror Lake, which is apparently not as close to the trail as we thought. Even if we return with a guidebook and have more success, we'll always call it Lost Mirror Lake Trail. 

The falls were a delightful surprise. 

A few wildflowers have survived the frosts. Luckily, the mosquitoes and flies have not. 

I'd like to know the name of this Christmas-colored groundcover. 

The Middle Tensleep Creek--I think! 

Summer meets fall. 

This goshawk had earlier flown just over my head. Its size was a bit intimidating!

Pikas can be heard in every boulder field along the trail, but they're not so easily seen. (Can you find it?) Oh, for a zoom lens!

 

"I have never been lost, but I will admit to being confused for several weeks." ~Daniel Boone

Pollmart

A sunflower actually has one- to two-thousand tiny disc flowers, making it a one-stop pollen-mart for bees. 

American Indians are believed to have begun cultivating sunflowers as early as 3000 BC--with the help of their honey-making neighbors, of course. 

"The world was really one bee yard, and the same rules work fine in both places. Don't be afraid....Don't even think about swatting....Above all, send the bees love. Every little thing wants to be loved." ~Sue Monk Kidd

Jungle Book, the Farm Edition

The terrible tiger and peerless panther steal out of the jungle and into a clearing.

Cat-astrophic casualties lie in their wake. 

Even jungle cats take naps.  

"The world is indeed full of peril, and in it there are many dark places; but still there is much that is fair, and though in all lands love is mingled with grief, it grows perhaps the greater." ~J. R. R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings

Floriculture

Sugar was kind enough to weed the alfalfa out of my flowers this morning. 

"There shall be an eternal summer in the grateful heart." ~Celia Thaxter

The Office

Just another morning at the office, feeding cows and irrigating hay with Bodie:

"Men are not so much the keepers of herds as herds are the keepers of men." ~Henry David Thoreau 

Death Canyon Hike

Ominous name and smoky haze (sourced in Canadian wildfires) notwithstanding, the Death Canyon Trail in Grand Teton National Park was pure delight.

"Perhaps the truth depends on a walk around the lake." ~Wallace Stevens

Backlit

Flowers are easy to photograph...

...but flying flowers, not so much. I've been stalking this butterfly all week but can't get close. 

"The Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you." ~Numbers 6:25 (NKJV)

Workhorse

After Sugar moved cows this morning, she graciously helped "mow" some clover on the roadside. Ranch horses have to be versatile, you know. 

"He has showered his kindness on us." ~Ephesians 1:8 (NLT)

Annual Monarch Sighting

One is better than none, and maybe better than dozens, making those few seconds all the more precious. 

"The joy of small that makes life large." ~Ann Voskamp

Fancier

Some four months ago, Fancy arrived here in an old, beat-up station wagon. 

While the calves were on weed patrol yesterday, Fancy hung out atop an antiquated flatbed trailer.  

Someone named Fancy deserves a nicer set of wheels--a convertible, at the very least. 

~~~~

"Too many people overvalue what they are not and undervalue what they are." ~Malcolm S. Forbes

Live a Perfect Day

Finnegan, a sweet friend and a star therapy horse at Rainhorse Equine Assisted Services, has been very sick with a disease which severely affects her breathing. She had to have an emergency tracheotomy and will require surgery soon. 

Prayers are coveted, and a GoFundMe account has been set up to help Rainhorse pay for her surgery and veterinary expenses. Please see http://de.gofund.me/savefinnegan for more information. Thank you so much!

"You can't live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you." ~John Wooden

Paintrock Canyon Hike

This beautiful hiking trail is just over an hour's drive from our place. 

Two of my very most favorite people, Bodie and Anna

A most photogenic catepillar

Coneflower

Rocky Mountain beeplant 

"But in every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks." ~John Muir

Haymakers, Skywatchers, and Beneficiaries

We're so thankful for great haying weather--hot and dry, so there's no mold--for putting up the second cutting of hay! Due to said conditions, however, we hurried to start the irrigation water within minutes of stacking the last bale. 

Afternoon temperatures are in the mid-nineties, but fall is coming. It's a race against time to get the third cutting of hay put up before the first hard frost in September. And now, of course, we'd gladly exchange these clear blue skies for rain clouds!

"Oh, how great is Your goodness, which You have laid up for those who fear You."  ~Psalm 31:19 (NKJV)