Category Archives: Photographs

CORRALS

Posted on February 15, 2015 by | 6 comments

 

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Our square creations
become places for the wild
to relax and roost.

 

 

WPC(2) — “Symmetry”

 

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SYMMETRY

Posted on February 14, 2015 by | 3 comments

 

May 18, 2014

May 18, 2014

 

A crop of fat calves
just weaned from relieved mothers
like peas in a pod.

 

 

WPC(1) — “Symmetry”

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Ode to the Crew 2: Six Pix

Posted on February 14, 2015 by | 3 comments

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Branding calves is an acquired art, not to be confused with the timed rodeo event of team roping. The idea is to get the calf to the fire while making it as easy on the calf, horses and ground crew (in that order) as possible. Douglas Thomason above times the rhythm of his loop for a long distance shot, catching the calf before it knows it’s caught, half the job done with no stress and little fuss.

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Though the camaraderie is an essential part of trading labor, the branding pen is not a place for recreation. Robbin and I appreciate the care our neighbors take with our calves, as this 450 pound bull calf above would bring about $1,100 in town today. We hope that by June that he’ll be a 650 steer and bring in the vicinity of $2.50/lb. An injured calf, or ones overstressed and susceptible to sickness can become expensive.

 

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Followers of branding pictures on this blog will recognize many familiar faces. On the ground, everyone has a job to do, an orderly process of vaccinations, castration, branding, dehorning, earmarking, tagging and recording–in the branding pen, it can become a dynamic dance.

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Yet in the midst of it all, there are moments that might be forgotten if not captured in a photograph, whether a daughter recently returned home having a moment with her father,

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or a Brent Huntington wiping sweat and smoke from his eyes.

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Our thanks to all, especially the several anonymous photographers.

 

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Ode to the Crew 1: Six Pix

Posted on February 13, 2015 by | 9 comments

We set the ‘point and shoot’ on the branding table, the following were shot by several different people.
 

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There is no easy tribute to good neighbors necessary in the branding pen, whether horseback or on the ground. Trading labor is part of our culture, and the work’s not done until everyone’s calves are branded and vaccinated. Towards the tail end of the branding season, our last bunch of calves were big, which makes Robbin and I happy of course, but it also means harder and more dangerous work for everyone.

 

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Our gather to brand in Greasy began Sunday, over a week ago, interrupted by welcome rain that kept us from finishing the process until last Tuesday — some cows and calves had spent eleven days in out Gathering Field waiting for yesterday. Additionally, wood had to be cut for the branding and cook fires, and the weeds in the corral, nearly two-foot tall, had to be addressed with a weed-eater before we were ready.

 

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It was a long day, shirtsleeves weather, warm in the mid-70s.

 

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Always some exciting moments, even though everyone tries to be respectful and gentle with the calves, some were a handful, pushing 500 pounds.

 

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Calm and steady, we have acquired an efficient routine of ropers and ground crew. Divided into two groups of ropers so arms and horses have time to rest between bunches, there’s always time to visit.

 

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AFTER RAIN

Posted on February 9, 2015 by | 12 comments

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Sun sets on the sighs
that cling to wet hills grinning
color into clouds.

 

 

WPC(3) — “Scale”

 

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Posted in Haiku 2015, Photographs, Poems 2015, Ranch Journal

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OF GODS AND GODDESSES

Posted on February 8, 2015 by | 3 comments

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In her nearly ninety years,
Nora Montgomery couldn’t remember
hillsides as solid with poppies

as the golden spring of 1978
after two years drought,
cows calving in dust.

Slopes alive, fences leaked
lovers and photographers
from all over—

a glorious reward
for enduring a dry nightmare
early in my career,

the foundation
of a young man’s confidence,
the religion he lived by.

 

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Rain

Posted on February 8, 2015 by | 9 comments
4:00 p.m., February 7, 2015

4:00 p.m., February 7, 2015

 

 

WPC(2) — “Scale”

 

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WAITING TO BLOOM

Posted on February 7, 2015 by | 6 comments

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In the darkness, I listen to a light strum
upon the roof, visualize the size
of raindrops, calculate the hours

necessary to quench the earth’s thirst
for a week or two before going back
to dream of hillsides too wet to climb,

cattle fat come May – nothing I can do,
but hope and pray for some release.
Sucked dry, we still hold on to a chance

for a verdant spring, grass bellyhigh
and sprinkled with wild colors
from all the old seeds waiting to bloom.

 

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LONE PINE, CA

Posted on February 7, 2015 by | 6 comments

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This close to heaven,
just below the timberline
pine trees climb and wait.

 

 

WPC(1) — “Scale”

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Ranch Journal: February 6, 2015

Posted on February 6, 2015 by | 4 comments

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The wildflowers were trying to bloom before we left for Elko on January 24th, primarily the ubiquitous Fiddleneck and Shepherd’s Purse, but yesterday as Robbin and I went to the Paregien Ranch, we could add Foothill Poppies, Purple Lupine, White-veined Mallow, Popcorn Flowers, Scorpionweed among others—all 30 days earlier than normal that may indicate an early, and perhaps short, spring, especially with record breaking temperatures in the high-70s the past two days.

As we enter what appears to be our fourth drought year with only 5.47” of rain to date, it could be worse. Last year at this time we had only accumulated 1.6”, a year in which we had to feed hay from August through March with a total rainfall for the season of 7.78”. Our 9-year average, including the last three dry years, is 14.36”.

Fortunately, some rain is predicted for this evening and Saturday that may linger into Sunday. Our south slopes have been stressed for the past three years, showing mostly brown with no cover of old feed to hold moisture or offer protection for the new grasses.

Additionally, there is little snow in the Sierras to supply surface water demands from Valley farmers. Water storage in flood control and irrigation facilities is at an all-time low. Half-way through our rainy season, it’s too late for any snow the Sierras might receive to freeze, thus we have lost any time-released benefits farmers might ordinarily enjoy, leaving us more susceptible to spring floods if the Sierras get any amount of snow for the remainder of the season.

No matter how you look at it, it doesn’t look good.

 

Fiddleneck wilting - 2/5/2015

Fiddleneck wilting – 2/5/2015

 

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