Big Rain with Big Wind

Since living on the ranch, we've had a few rain storms with extreme wind.  Late yesterday, we had one of those storms.  We watched for close to an hour as the storm rolled toward us.  Once it arrived, the wind blew at 70 mph and we received about .60" of rain.  Good for the ranch!  Scary for us!   After the storm passed, we had an incredible sunset!

Preparing for Branding Week

Over the past few days, we've been ticking off items from our chore list, to prepare for Branding Week.  While I've cleaned the house and cooked, Papa has done road work.  Colter has been out riding, to check on the cows.

Taking Photos with Madilyn

Madilyn came over at 4 this afternoon to take photos with me.  She brought her camera and after checking it over and cleaning the lens, we took lots of photos.  She stayed for dinner with us, and then we took more photos of the sunset.  I enjoyed every moment. 

Mamas and their Calves

There are lots of mama cows and their calves in the pasture nearest our house now.  

Thia mama was hiding behind a bush.

Moving Cows

Papa helped Colter move cows and calves this morning, along with Carly, Madilyn, Colter Lee, Traven, and Justin.  They moved about 50 pairs from the pasture west of our house, to the pasture just to the east.  All this moving about is in anticipation of next week's ranch roundup and branding. 

Happy July 4!

Our porch view of sunset "fireworks."

Green Flying Machine

We get helicopters buzzing about our house on a regular basis, but nothing like this one. We heard a loud buzzing sound as it approached and then he circled our house quite low.  He was looking at us with binoculars.

Roping

I drove the ranger over to Warbonnet to pick up a package yesterday morning.  Colter, Carly, 

and the boys were at the corrals nearby, saddling up to practice roping.  Colter Lee and Traven 

were getting ready for a rodeo last night.  I had my camera and I went with them to the arena.  

Two hours later... I had taken over 900 photos and had a great time!  What fun to watch a 5 year old and 7 year old practice roping with their Dad!   Madilyn got in a little barrel practice too.

Desert Willow

The desert willow tree next to our garage is "abuzz" with butterflies, hummingbirds, bees, and lots more bugs.  Its blossoms are beautiful and obviously are an attraction for lots of creatures.

Pomegranate Bounty

Over the past year, we've had more rain than usual and it has been spread out over months, to give the ranch a "good drink" over and over.  My pomegranate bush in the yard has taken off!  It was frozen to the ground about four years ago and came back to produce a couple of fruits last year.  This year it has dozens!  I just hope the birds don't eat them before they ripen!