We grow wild beneath
the Red Tail’s cry
for company, beside
the dragging sound
of snake bellies
on well-drained dirt.
We fold our petals, sleep
to insistent tree frog songs
as the moon dances
upon the rippling creek,
mumbling constantly
of where it comes from.
And when we bloom,
we draw bugs as lovers
to inspire seed, clusters
of small town colors
beneath the Red Tail’s cry
for company.
Posted in Photographs, Poems 2016, Ranch Journal
Tagged Red Tail, Ridenhour Canyon, seed, tree frogs, white lupine, wild
We, all of you with me,
travel miles of spring saved
by a thunderstorm—Jeffers’
old violence not too old
to beget new values—
blinding splotches of gold,
bright pancake poppies
a squinted eye can’t absorb.
We are rich, wealthy in places
we cannot spend away
from here, yet want to take,
steal with a camera
to share with the poor
punching clocks, chasing dollars
in corrals they have built.
Posted in Photographs, Poems 2016, Ranch Journal
Tagged "The Bloody Sire", Ridenhour Canyon, Robinson Jeffers, wildflowers
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.
Posted in Photographs, Ranch Journal
Tagged Calves, cattle, cows, Paregien Ranch, photographs, rain, rain gauge, Ridenhour Canyon, water, weather, wildflowers
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