Category Archives: Ranch Journal

EARLY SPRING

Posted on February 18, 2015 by John | 5 comments

Goldfields – February 16, 2015

Warm hillsides melting
the Ides of February
in puddles of gold.

WPC(4) — “Symmetry”

5 Comments

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

Tagged Drought, Goldfields, Greasy Creek, haiku, photographs, poetry, weather, weekly-photo-challenge, wildflowers

Journal: February 2015 — Seven Pix

Posted on February 17, 2015 by John | 9 comments

Robbin and I went to the Paregien Ranch Sunday to check the cattle, feed, and rain gauge since the storm on the 7th, 8th and 9th. An 1.43″, which was more than anywhere else on the ranch. We’re still trending warm and dry with wildflowers blooming a month earlier than normal, the poppies above and below in Ridenhour Canyon.

Despite the lush look of spring, there is no rain in the forecast for the rest of the month with temperatures in the mid-70s. We’ll be needing another rain soon or it will be a short grass season. Nevertheless, the cattle are doing well, both cows and calves, taking advantage of early and strong feed.

Looking ahead, we shut the cattle out our new gathering field to give the grass a chance to grow before we wean, which is normally in May — but it may be March or April if it doesn’t rain.

Checking on the Windmill Spring, we were greeted enthusiastically by our independent ‘Little Buddy’ who can be seen helping us cut firewood Here and helping me plumb a trough Here before he was branded and tagged in December.

Though it appears that we’re both having a drink, I was blowing on the overflow pipe to unplug it. Of course, our ‘Little Buddy’ was well aware of the hay in the back of the Kubota.

9 Comments

Posted in Photographs, Ranch Journal

Tagged Calves, cattle, cows, Paregien Ranch, photographs, rain, rain gauge, Ridenhour Canyon, water, weather, wildflowers

Ode to the Crew 2: Six Pix

Posted on February 14, 2015 by John | 3 comments

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.

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.

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.

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,

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

Our thanks to all, especially the several anonymous photographers.

3 Comments

Posted in Photographs, Ranch Journal

Tagged branding, Brent Huntington, Calves, Douglas Thomason, Greasy Creek, neighbors, photographs

Ode to the Crew 1: Six Pix

Posted on February 13, 2015 by John | 9 comments

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

9 Comments

Posted in Photographs, Ranch Journal

Tagged branding, Calves, cows, Greasy Creek, neighbors, photographs, weather

AFTER RAIN

Posted on February 9, 2015 by John | 12 comments

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

WPC(3) — “Scale”

12 Comments

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

Tagged Dry Creek, haiku, photographs, poetry, rain, weather, weekly-photo-challenge

Rain

Posted on February 8, 2015 by John | 9 comments

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

WPC(2) — “Scale”

9 Comments

Posted in Photographs, Ranch Journal

Tagged Dry Creek, photographs, rain, water, weather, weekly-photo-challenge

Ranch Journal: February 6, 2015

Posted on February 6, 2015 by John | 4 comments

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

4 Comments

Posted in Photographs, Ranch Journal

Tagged Drought, Dry Creek, flower-friday, Greasy Creek, Paregien Ranch, photographs, rain, weather, wildflowers

KESTRELS COURTING SPRING

Posted on February 5, 2015 by John | 3 comments

Nothing sudden, poor dry hills
like thin cows show too much bone,
I look away for a spot of green

in shadows of trees, on north slopes
to weigh our hopes: how many days left
before it rains? Bankrupt with years

of debt, of dirt exposed, of dust released,
the old oaks have given-up to start over—
to become earth again, and we

make plans to brand another bunch
like Kestrels courting spring, falling
in a flutter before me yesterday:

fourth of February, seventy-seven degrees.
Nothing sudden, we plod against the obvious
knowing nothing stays the same.

3 Comments

Posted in Poems 2015, Ranch Journal

Tagged birds, Blue Oak, Drought, Dry Creek, Kestrel, poetry, rain, weather, wildlife

RAINDROPS

Posted on February 5, 2015 by John | 3 comments

Following fifty tons
through light showers
across Nevada,

big alfalfa bales
towards our dry
California home,

we focus on raindrops
streaking reality
after a week of poetry

and song, to feel
our poor possibilities
grow by the truckload—

heavy with an endless
emptiness in our bellies
beneath the straps

of seat belts
before another wreck.
We hang on.

3 Comments

Posted in Photographs, Poems 2015, Ranch Journal

Tagged alfalfa hay, Drought, National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, Nevada, photographs, poetry, rain, weather

Six Pix: Great Basin Home

Posted on February 4, 2015 by John | 6 comments

With a leisurely, late start from Elko, we encountered a few midday showers Monday, crossing Nevada’s Great Basin between Carlin and Tonopah, making for some interesting high-speed photos with the point and shoot.