Saturday, July 2, 2016

Summer so far

It's too hot!
There. I said it.
Out of the mouth of someone who thinks she's related to the lizard. Lying about on a hot slab of granite in the Dragoons, admiring the mosaic of quartz and feldspar.
Gambel's quail, roadrunners, ocatillo and ironwood blooms are just some of the desert essence that bring me joy.
I absolutely love the desert.
Maybe I'm more comfortable with hot weather when I'm in the desert.
Maybe it's because Wyoming hasn't felt so hot before.
Never mind. It's all good.
Because it's starting to rain!
Good 'ol Green Mountain on the night of a full moon. A prairie moon. A big red moon. Around midnight, sounds like squeals, gulps, grunts and piccolos filled the air. Elk were communicating on both sides of our tent.
Have you ever heard all the different sounds an elk makes? There are more mating calls besides the typical bugling.
It's unbelievable. It's remarkable. I could barely sleep.
One afternoon, we watched as this horse and another galloped laps around Main Meadow. They would stop and whinny, looking all around, whinny some more and then run away. Were they looking for someone? Were they running from something? Someone? They were an impressive couple of rowdy bachelors, for sure.
Wild horses dance on Big Meadow.
I came close to stepping on this nest of eggs. I've been trying to figure out what bird nests on a meadow ground.
We got to spend an afternoon in the same meadow with a stunning group of elk. The horses and elk hung out together. I was thrilled about that.
I've been reading a really good book.
THIS HUMAN SHAPE by Chad Hanson chadhanson.org
Just one more poem before I leave for work.
We had more company! Chad's sister, Jessie, and her five year old daughter came to see us all the way from Minneapolis.
Allie-bug got a lesson in fly fishing and Aunt Squirrel showed her some real live mustangs.
My favorite female author has written a new book. They are essays but it reads like a memoir.
Terry Tempest Wiliams celebrates the national parks with passion and anger, deeply concerned about them disappearing and "why lands matter to the soul of America."
Sadly, sometimes a girl needs a shovel.
I walked home from work one day and heard some extremely loud laughter coming from over our backyard fence. As I poked my head out the gate I witnessed two young boys under our giant cottonwood tree taunting a stick at a squirrel who was clearly injured and distraught. I was shocked at their behavior. I became angry and questioned them in my best mom voice. Apparently the squirrel had fallen from it's nest, broken it's back and was flopping around in convulsions. It was horrible. And they were cruel. I scolded them along with a lesson in compassion and nature.
And then I buried my precious Chaca. My little squirrel friend who knew her name, who came to our back door for almonds, this squirrel who was friends with our cats.
I miss her terribly.
On a happier note, I've been obsessed with watching an online Audubon Osprey nest cam.
The nest is located in the woods of Maine. Every morning it's the first thing I tune in to. It's been fun watching the three babies grow. To see the male bring back something like 20 fish per day to the nest while mama feeds them. Their alert calls and all the happenings at the nest is riveting. It's even on our computer at work. I've got everybody hooked.
Skye taking over the laundry pile.
Guess I don't have to fold clothes after all.
The sun going down over the Red Desert.

Saying goodbye to another summer evening on Green Mountain.

Holding on tightly to the memory. To one more treasured day spent with the wildest horses I know.

Because after this summer, most of them will be taken away. Bands will be split apart. Foals will be separated from their mothers. Stallions will be jammed in a pen together. And it's unessesary.

In an instant they will lose their families and their freedom.

All because of cows. For the profit of ranchers.

And because the BLM won't make an effort to manage them like they're suppose to,

by law.

Some herds have been successfully managed by the use of a birth control vaccine called PZP. With a darting gun, pellets are shot into the haunches of wild mares.

Dart guns instead of helicopters.

"PZP, long used on large zoo animals and wildlife species, has proven a success in controlling horse numbers with BLM-managed herds in the Pryor Mountains of Montana and Little Book Cliffs of Colorado, according to Jay Kirkpatrick, the veterinarian who developed the vaccine in the 1970s."

If you're interested in reading more about this, here is a link:

http://www.wildhorsepreservation.org/media/blm-will-dart-horses-attempt-control-fertility

It's very interesting, a better solution and extremely important, especially right now.

We must get involved. We've got to be vocal!

I'm so happy to tell you that I will be going to Montana to take part in a three day class to become certified to dart wild horses. I will do whatever I can for the good of America's mustangs. A friend told me it's my destiny.

I believe she's right.

 

19 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. I know! You should have been there! It was the perfect evening...that and then the Strawberry moon. Good golly, it was stunning.

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  2. I've never seen more beautiful horse pics than yours, ever. Period. Oh moonlight is sculpture said Hawthorn I think! Blessed experience. Hey, the eggs,,, are there killdeer maybe? Burrowing owl? Thee may be very dumb guesses. Chaca,,, you must feel like I did when Fearless came to an end. I understand fully. The friendships between animals and humans is such a magnificent experience. Pure. I am so sorry sweet Prairie Sister. Your summer is looking as beautiful as thou in that pic! Love! Hm, must take a peak at that poetry book by this Chad fella. Your arms are looking strong and free! ;)

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    1. Maybe an owl...I will find out.
      You're right, the relationships we can have with wild animals is so special! That really affected me, seeing helpless Chaca in such a way. Oh, I cried for hours.
      My hand is still in a splint. I get it off on the 22nd. At this point, I'm SO mad that I tried to go riding that day!!! Ruined everything.
      I miss riding my bicycle...among other things.
      Have fun sailing!! Sounds delightful.

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  3. So much in this post - from happiness to sorrow. And lots of amazing photos of a good life. Sorry it's so hot there. We're having low to mid 80s, but are due for a cool down Monday.

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    1. I know...so much going on. I just don't have enough time to post frequently.
      So, a big batch all at once! Ugh.
      It's cooled down some. It was just a few excruciating melt down days, that's all.
      For the most part, I'm loving going barefoot and taking my coffee outside in the cool mornings.
      I need to write a letter while I'm out there! I will...

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  4. Splendor & Travail. Life is so full...brimming with all the happenings...some we feel as good, beautiful, and deserving of our appreciation. Others we interpret as bad, ugly, and bringing about sadness. I feel ya. Some time ago you made me aware of the issue with the wild horses and I sent a letter off to voice my support of them and practices that can enable them to remain on the land with less molestation from us. Those darn cows. Have you seen the film Cowspiracy? I've 99.9% stopped eating beef cause it's a terribly inefficient means of food production. The raising of cattle is wreaking havoc on the environment all over the planet. This from a Texas girl who grew up with a cattle raising family. Love cows...but I think the evidence supports that we could do a better job of our custodianship of the earth by not using them as a food source. I can give up beef but I cannot live without the forests, prairies, wild creatures, etc... Best wishes Lynn.

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    1. Sandra. I cannot thank you enough for your words here!!
      Man, I love what you say. Yes. YES. The cattle industry is absolutely the culprit on the earth! I wish more people new how much damage it does.
      That movie, Cowspiracy, it should be mandatory viewing in grade schools.
      Thank you thank you for writing a letter to the BLM about the mistreatment, mismanagement of our mustangs. Letters do help...but, sadly, we need more people to go out to see them living their lives in the wild, to fall in love with them and then they will want to protect them. Right?
      I'm happy you get it. I'm happy to see you here today, Sandra.
      Also, I like your bone paintings! :)

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  5. Ah, Lynn-- your summer is looking rich and full! I am stricken by the loss of Chaca. Those unique relationships are one of a kind and to be treasured. She knew you came to her aid at the end. I lost my two old kitties in June. I knew when the first one went that the other would not be far behind. I didn't guess it would be two weeks, though. Sadness has a way of permeating through the daily routine until you find your way through to acceptance. I have moments, but I'm not there yet. Sara has been out of commission following knee surgery a month ago, so this summer has been one of doing what needs to get done and little more. Still trying to figure out when I'll get back to California. Daughter Jill goes on Tuesday for three weeks-- she's going to tackle a to-do list for her grandparents while she keeps them company. Your photos are delightful, especially that moon shot! I'll have to get Chad's new book and look to see if the library has the new TTW book. I wish you much success and satisfaction with the darting class. The BLM is a disappointment-- private gain over being stewards of the land and its resources. I haven't eaten red meat in 20 years, and it was the unethical treatment of animals that prompted it. Don't miss it one bit.
    Your clever cropping of the selfie coming out the door begs the question: Did you get your cast off? Are you healed and well and hands-free?! I sure hope so. I also hope you're still planning on coming down this way during the summer. I could certainly use some Lynn-and-Chad time for my spirit!
    xoxo

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    1. We will not let the summer pass us by without a day trip to Maggie's, I mean, Janet's farm!!
      Looks like August might be the best shot, for now. We'll see.
      (Lots of new developments we want to run by you, as well.) hmmm.... ;)
      I know you've had to hold down the fort, the barn, the care taking of everybody and everything! Seriously, I would have come out there to help with the chores but this f!@!?! splint on my hand! Yes! It's STILL ON MY HAND. Fooled you, didn't I?
      I love how so many people don't eat red meat! I had no idea, but am not surprised that you and Julie and Sandra and I are non-cow eaters!! Yay!
      One hamburger means one less wild horse! Well, that's how I look at it, anyway. ;)
      Miss you!

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  6. I'm in the desert. It's HOT. So hot I can hardly breathe. The Green Mountains look like heaven! I can just imagine you up there among the pines, nothing but the walls of the tent between you and the elk. With the mustangs and the full moon, it all seems just about perfect.
    And I am so sorry about little Chaca. At least she knew your love in her short time on earth.

    But....good for you! Training to dart the wild horses. You are their protector. (In our household NO ONE--even the dogs--eats beef. We will not contribute to the problem.)
    Keep up the good fight!
    xx

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    1. Sagey, it really is pretty much perfect up on Green Mountain. If I could camp there permanently, I would. (Darn job) ;)
      Yep, I am so bummed about Chaca. You remember, a couple of years ago, I found Chukker (her husband) dead in the street in front of our house. (Darn cars) I buried him in the backyard, too!
      I cannot get so attached to the wild things...it only ends up breaking my heart to pieces.
      It must be so stifling for you, that heat in NM. Hopefully you'll be leaving the dust behind you on that good dirt road that takes you to your Mesa, your heart. :)

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  7. Green Mountain looks like heaven. What a perfect spot to be for the full prairie moon. The elk and the horses and night sounds...love your descriptions:-)
    Sorry to hear about your little Chaca. The squirrels around my home are not so loved. My yard looks like a set from Tremors and my beautiful succulents and herbs are constantly dug up or chewed up. Chaca lived a good life with you Lynn-)
    Congrats on becoming a horse-darter! I know they will be in good hands with you around and it is definitely your calling! Just wonderful news!
    I am hooked on the Explore.org cams. I sit and watch the Katmai Bears at Brooks Falls and the Orcas up in B.C. Those cams can become addicting:-)
    Hugs Lynn!
    Sheree

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    Replies
    1. Why am I not surprised that you, too, are watching the Explore Cams! When the Katmai Bears show up at the river, omg! One day I watched as one experienced bruin had no trouble catching salmon while another bear tried and tried but to no avail. He kept looking over his shoulder at his buddy enjoying his feast. Haha. Great and addicting entertainment.
      I imagine you are mesmerized at those Orcas, too. :)

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  8. i'm just now getting back to being able to sit at the computer and read blogs,
    and i see what i've missed!!

    so good to see these photos....good to see your smiling [reading!!] face!!!!

    xO

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  9. It has not been too hot here in Germany this summer, thankfully. That moon picture is absolutely amazing! And I too wonder what bird those eggs belong to?

    I wish you a wonderful start to the week :)

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  10. Your summer looks enviable! It's been cool and rainy here all summer. So funny to think that last year we were absolutely melting here, and just the other day I had to put on wool slippers and a sweater and break out the space heaters.

    I'm so excited for you to go to Montana for the class!

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