On August 18, 2013, unusual high winds left this tree in a tangle of fallen limbs. DCJ file A landmark and reference point as we gather cattle, we sadly wrote it off as a permanent casualty of the weather, but despite the drought and its hopeless state, it perseveres and remains alive.
Weekly Photo Challenge (2): “Inspiration”
I got out early this a.m. to feed the bulls and change my irrigation water, bringing my camera along to take advantage of the early fall light. A few good photographs to draw upon this coming week for the blog. The Sparrow Hawks were busy this morning, but tricky photographing. Automatic focus is a must as I tried to capture this one in hover mode with my 400 mm lens. I couldn’t help but think of our constant commenter and falconer, Richard, as I was photographing, and include these enlarged (and slightly fuzzy) photos for him.
Weekly Photo Challenge (1): “Inspiration”
Posted in Photographs, Ranch Journal
Tagged Kestrel, Sparrow Hawk, weekly-photo-challenge
Posted in Haiku 2015, Photographs
Tagged bumble bee, hubiscus, pollen, weekly-photo-challenge
Posted in Haiku 2015, Photographs, Ranch Journal
Tagged Black-White Face, heterosis, hybrid vigor, weekly-photo-challenge
Posted in Haiku 2015, Photographs, Poems 2015, Ranch Journal
Tagged Drought, fences, grass, grazing, weekly-photo-challenge
Posted in Haiku 2015, Photographs, Poems 2015
Tagged Brand, Fire, iron, weekly-photo-challenge
1.
Never a straight line, we bend
with the channel of the creek
with or without water, jobs
shouting at every turn, begging
for attention. I love it now,
seasoned and with purpose,
place after place to pour my soul,
to get it right. Chances are
my fence repairs will outlast me,
gates will swing, troughs hold water
out of respect for the ground—
for the cattle and those around me.
2.
Never a straight line, cows cut trails
on perfect grades, leave soft dust
to plod tomorrow without thinking,
make beds in shade for generations
they will never know. In the end
it becomes our nature to make
living easier on the uneven,
on the unpredictable and the harsh
that will eventually absorb us.
Chances are, no one will notice,
no applause for our best effort—
only the knowing a job well done.
Posted in Photographs, Poems 2015
Tagged age, doors, Gates, nature, purpose, weekly-photo-challenge, work
drycrikjournal 
