Tag Archives: Dry Creek

Snow on Dry Creek

Posted on February 10, 2019 by | 3 comments

 

 

Light dusting this afternoon down to 2,500′ on Dry Creek. Exceeding the forecast, just shy of an inch of rain overnight and this morning. It’s wet out there.

 

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THE UNDRESSING

Posted on December 27, 2018 by | 2 comments

 

 

Crawling between the cobbles,
the creek begins to run again
lifting a discarded cover of leaves

into fragile rafts downstream
in the prolonged undressing
awaiting a freeze. White flesh

shows on some, bare limbs
reaching outward like flashers
in open russet trench coats

having shed their blush of crimson
weeks ago—slow and deliberate
provocations for hundreds of years

here, of frolicking sycamores, naked
nymphs dancing across the creek
when no one is looking.

 

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Posted in Photographs, Poems 2018

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Cattleman of the Year

Posted on October 21, 2017 by | 8 comments

 

 

At the Fall Banquet of the Tulare County Cattlemen’s Association last night, our dear neighbor Jody Fuller (2nd from the right) was awarded Cattleman of the Year. Usually a poorly kept secret, she was totally surprised. In an insightful and humorous presentation, Craig Ainley (far right) highlighted Jody’s history and accomplishments on Dry Creek. In addition to a beautiful belt buckle, she received commendations from County Supervisor Mike Ennis and Clarissa Henderson (far left), representing Congressman Devin Nunes.

Our “Thank You” for a wonderful dinner and evening provided by all the usual suspects, both in front and behind the scenes.

 

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So Far, So Good

Posted on July 10, 2017 by | 15 comments

 

 

Last Friday, I underwent knee replacement surgery. I was able to walk with a walker by Saturday. Rehabilitation will undoubtedly be slow and posts to the blog may be less frequent.

 

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ANOTHER BRANDING

Posted on March 10, 2017 by | 1 comment

 

 

Silt and sediment have settled
with the senses, clear water calm
in the canyon, low whispers

of the Solstice among the cobbles,
the easy pulse of our lifeblood
returns the churned edges

of the creek to house-hunting
killdeer pairs, not quite ready
to commit to gravelly real estate,

not quite sure of the shoreline
as we gather for another branding:
little bunch of big calves, slow

dance of old people and horses,
buck and bawl of calves before
the fiery altar of yesteryear.

 

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Posted in Photographs, Poems 2017

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IN SYCAMORELAND

Posted on March 2, 2017 by | 2 comments

 

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Winter’s long-entangled dance
carefree of leaves for centuries
beckons partners of the flesh—

a mood rooted in this ground
of fortitude that rules the air
we breathe, the space between

the touch of branches. Slow
gather of cattle among them—
graceful rhythm for a branding.

 

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Posted in Photographs, Poems 2017, Ranch Journal

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MY SYCAMORE GIRLS

Posted on February 24, 2017 by | 2 comments

 

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Each appendage strives for grace
angling its long reach for the light
dressed within summer green

canopies that shade the pools
along the creek. But some trees
drink too much, consume

more weight than limbs can hold
before snapping like rifle shots
that echo in the canyon.

Gray chorus line of winter nymphs
locking hands, dancing naked
at a distance, up close show

the scars of younger appetites
for growth, blueprints for bigness
that challenged gravity—yet

decomposed broken bones
leave open holes for nests
to incubate a clan of Wood Ducks.

 

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Posted in Photographs, Poems 2017

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DAYLIGHT

Posted on February 11, 2017 by | 10 comments

 

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Clouds cling low,
I tend the fire:
stir red coals—dry
branch of manzanita
alongside oak,
crack of air
to the woodstove—

play solitaire
and wait for words
that hide behind
naked sycamores
along the creek
too deep to cross,

the flood of news
too much
for pleasant poetry.

 

10 Comments

Posted in Photographs, Poems 2017, Ranch Journal

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Just Back from Elko

Posted on February 7, 2017 by | 4 comments

 

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Dry Creek – 1,675 cfs @ 4:00 p.m.

Dry Creek – 2,520 cfs @ 5:00 p.m.

Dry Creek – 2,951 cfs @ 6:00 p.m.

 

Upstream

 

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Across Dry Creek

Posted on February 2, 2017 by | 1 comment

 

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I thought it appropriate to offer a ‘before and after’ photo of the same hillside that’s on the cover of my ‘Best of the Dry Years’ (at the top of the column on the right) taken in September 2013. There was no improvement in feed conditions until the spring of 2016.

 

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