Cows Everywhere!

Over the past month, we see cows all over the ranch, and sometimes new calves.  Yesterday afternoon, I looked out from the living room and saw a new calf, by itself, on the next ridge over.  Papa and I got out binoculars and watched for fifteen minutes and then I got on Bob to drive up the hill to see if I could find the mother cow.  Seems she had gone over another ridge to get a drink of water.  About half an hour later, she came back to her calf.  The little calf was laying in high grass, 

so the mother didn't see her right away.  Once the calf saw the mother, she stood up and bounded 

toward the mother.  It was the sweetest thing!  Seeing so many cows on the ranch is an amazing benefit of living on a working cattle ranch!

Prolific Prickly Pear

We have one prickly pear growing by our garage.  It is quite prolific this year, with one pad producing 22 flower buds!  I took a photo five days ago, before any buds opened, and again today with lots of flowers.  Gorgeous!

 

Carly's Birthday Party

Carly celebrated her birthday yesterday with a barbecue at their house.  Her parents came from 

Cave Creek and more family and friends joined for burgers and more.  Papa and I were happy 

to be part of the celebration.  Happy Birthday, Carly!

Saguaro Blooms

I associate May with saguaro blooms in the Sonoran desert and this year has not disappointed.  I was in Tucson yesterday and took these photos.  I have written about them here and here in years past.  The blooms are delicate and beautiful.  Their seed pods must be candy to the birds. 

Cowboy Gather in Early Morning

With Colter not able to get on a horse for several more weeks, we have been fortunate to have his Dad, Granddad, brother Tayrell, sister Savannah and hubby Will (visiting from Texas), and Colter Lee, up early to move cattle from one pasture to another.  They arrived early, just after the sun came over the mountain.  They wasted no time, and they were off!

Cholla Blooms

Cholla are blooming across the desert this month.  These hot pink blooms are covering a cholla near our Rock House.  Cholla are covered with barbed thorns and aren't particularly a sought after plant to have around.  They redeem themselves with their beautiful blooms in spring. 

Papa's Birthday

We celebrated Papa's 68th birthday yesterday!  Mary came to Tucson yesterday morning to spend the day with us.  We enjoyed a delicious lunch at Tanque Verde Ranch.  We then drove over to the University of Arizona campus to see a photography exhibit at the Arizona State Museum.  After a siesta at home, we had tapas and sangria at Casa Vicente for dinner.  Throughout the day, Papa enjoyed calls from all our children and some of the grandchildren (Emily and Greta).  A good day!

Papa and I are still enjoying the memories we made in April, in France with our family. 

Blooming Prickly Pear

Thousands of prickly pear cactus are covered with yellow blooms all across the ranch.  The blooms are delicate, bright, and incredibly beautiful!

Colts on Neighbor Ranch

Our nearest ranch neighbors raise horses and they have several new colts this spring. They are adorable!

Ranger Travel

Colter is getting out on the ranch a bit more, with Carly driving their Ranger.  The whole family came by late yesterday afternoon, after checking on new calves.  We were glad to see Colter up and out a bit.  Broken legs take time to heal.