Time with Horses this Afternoon

Papa and I took the Ranger up the next ridge from the house, this afternoon to look for agave.  Our horses were grazing in the creek and ran behind the Ranger to the corral. 

Whitewater Draw

"Many people visit Whitewater Draw each winter to experience the memorable sights and sounds of more than 20,000 sandhill cranes. These birds spend the night standing in Whitewater Draw’s shallow waters to evade predators, and then fly out each morning to feed and socialize in the surrounding area. They return to Whitewater Draw in the afternoon and evening. The number of wintering sandhill cranes in the area has increased dramatically since the 1950s, probably in response to the abundant food (primarily corn) available in harvested grain fields. This area is now the best sandhill crane-viewing site in Arizona.  In addition to sandhill cranes, Whitewater Draw’s waters attract many kinds of ducks, geese, herons, egrets, shorebirds, gulls and terns."

We visited Whitewater Draw yesterday, arriving just after 11, after reading on a birding forum that the sandhill cranes return each day between 11 and 1, after feeding in cornfields up and down the Sulphur Springs Valley.  The birds returned to Whitewater Draw like clockwork.  It was amazing to watch!

Flowers for Valentine's Week

Our Boys and Girls Club kids brought a bouquet of flowers to me on Tuesday evening, delivered by Meybelyn.  I'm thoroughly enjoying these beautiful flowers.  Thank you!

DALE Bag in Process

Papa gave me an IOU for a new DALE Bag for Christmas.  After looking at various handbag sites, I chose a design that I liked and we redesigned it a bit.  Papa has been working on it the past few days. 

Watching from the Outside In

A small herd of deer were in the house yard yesterday morning at sunrise.  Some were curious and came within a few feet of our porch.  They watched Papa and me for several minutes, before moving slowly around the house. 

Papa's Horses

Oscar, Pablo, and Doc often hang out near our house.  It seems they are hopeful for some attention from Papa.  They were waiting for us as we returned from a hike. 

Fairchild Dam

Yesterday morning, Papa and I hiked to Fairchild Dam.  It is holding water behind the dam, with water flowing through numerous cracks.  Along the way, we spotted a shallow cave that we explored on the way back. It was a beautiful day and we had a nice hike!

Salt

Colter drove his horse trailer to our house yesterday afternoon.  He rode one horse while leading a second horse carrying salt.  They rode to the top of Bald Ridge to leave salt for the cows.  "Cows need salt every day of the year.  For lactating cows and nursing calves, calcium from salt is critical for building strong bones and teeth, milk production, a regular heart beat, blood clotting, muscle movement and nervous system function."

Afternoon Shadows

Papa and I returned to the ranch yesterday afternoon, after spending Tuesday in Tucson for our weekly volunteer at the Boys and Girls Club.  We went on a hike into the Buck Knob pasture around 4 and noticed our shadows as we walked back. 

Sunday Clouds and Sunset

We've had beautiful weather over the past few days.  Clouds moved in as predicted yesterday afternoon, yielding a magnificent sunset.  We had high winds and snow overnight.  We woke up to no power, but all was restored after sunrise.