In Alberta they always say "wait five minutes" and the weather will change. We awoke to wet snow and hoar frost in the wee hours of the morning. Five minutes or so later, the meltdown began and those glorious ocean-wide skies teased and delighted us with their ever-changing moods of reflection and light. Some rambling pics of the day - and bit of girl power was on hand when dealing with our ever-present predators. These girls have been doing this for years and their suaveness is always handy on a ranch.
Miss Ash with her herd among the ocean-wide skies
The Lulu B's lapping up the moisture after the morning frost
glorious lighting near the end of the day on the north side of the pasture
our west side of the quarter rich in fall bloom
Miss Ash says "ok one more pic boss........ gotta go now since I detect coyotes to keep at bay off the herd and the land!"
And off Miss Asherah goes doing one of her favourite ranch chores, yet again - thanks Miss easy breezy cover girl!
And Miss Cybelle is always on hand for backup when they return. She will hold her ground and stay out all night when the coyotes are a bit more persistent at times. Thanks "Bibs". Cattle fencing does not keep off the predators, so a good stockdog is always handy!
Our early October sunset at 7ish pm on the ranch - I love October sunsets because the purple in the skies seems to become the most intense
And for any one interested in music CLICK HERE for the 'Crew's" fav band of all time the "Style Council" singing "my ever changing moods"
This morning we awoke to a beautiful April sunrise. Later the coyotes came. I had an early morning cup of java outside on the deck while the crew chased the predators off their kingdom.
Just had to add this pic from the past of Maccabee silhouetted against a morning sunrise
Coyote Patrol
The coyotes were hunting mice and had their heads buried in the snow. "Cybelle" was the first of the crew to drive the coyotes off her territory. I tried to get a clearer pic but she moved way too fast for my shutter speed and all my pics were blotches and blurs. So, below is an artistic shot of Cybelle in her fast and furious predator mode:-) She has been just as effective as Macc, who used to drive off the coyotes in a heartbeat.
I managed to get a clearer shot of one coyote just before "the Crew" took off to escort the intruders off their boundary.
Below Miss "Cybelle" keeps her eyes peeled on her kingdom for more predators to drive off, while I have a second cup of java :-) This is her classic sentry position - such a good crew member!
“Through the mirror of my mind
Time after time
I see reflections of you and me”
Diana Ross - Reflections lyrics
Me & my "Macc"
"Here's Looking At you Kid! - Macc always took the time to stop and smile for the camera:-)
Ok I won’t print the rest of the song lyrics because they
don’t apply. But lately, as spring approaches I think of the many memories that
yes, seem to be reflected in my mind. Although, with the huge dumping of snow
today I feel like I should get out the Christmas decorations again. Our
tracking class had to be cancelled today due to the weather, and no herding until
next Sunday.
Tomorrow marks the birthday of my soulmate who passed in
2009 . A friend of mine said don’t focus on the birthdays, but celebrate your
soulmate whenever you feel like it. I feel like I already do this since
the adventures with our Canaan Crew and
our dream out west continues and helps remind me of our direction together. I
have lost the Three Best Men in my life in too short a time. My soulmate "Larry", my beautiful father "Patrick" last May, and my dear heart Canaan boy “Maccabee”’ in Nov.There have been many rough patches, as we all have, but as my mother says " What doesn't kill you makes you stronger":-)
Today, I will take the time to reflect, and tomorrow I will do something fun to celebrate my three best guys - maybe a snow shoe hike with the Canaan Crew, since we have lots of powder in the pasture!
Larry with crew members "Macc" & "Cybelle"
Just a sweet and quiet moment with Larry and our awesome crew gal "Cybelle". Larry just Loved her working spirit and zestfulness toward life!
Larry loved Ash who was our third crew member. He did not get to spend a lot of time with her before he passed - but got to introduce her to her first "driving lessons", and watched her shine as a young dog working cattle. Larry would be so proud of "her work ethic" in stockdog work and tracking!
My Boys! Larry and Macc - they were an amazing team in all they did!
I will miss his "smiley" face
"Reflections" from A Journal I started in October 2011:
"Weeks
after you had left us, your boy Maccabeefound your missing left shoe in the
pasture where the accident took place. I placed it in the hall closest with the
dented one that I brought home from the hospital. That night, as I fed the
fire, the hall closest seemed to crackle. I watched as Macc sniffed and scratched intently at the door. My first thought was that he must be detecting those damn field mice who I had caught storing birdseed in my gum boots on occasion. I opened the door to allow Macc to investigate. It was both a beautiful and heart wrenching spectacle as he dug and lifted out your shoes one by one. He placed them silently down beside him; chin resting gently over the tips to cover up the grass stains that you left behind.I always marveled at your big strong feet and regret that I never took the time to sketch them.”
I will miss his awesome work on stock
"Call of the Wild" - Our Maccabee
Macc escorting the coyotes off his land - he especially loved this job:-)
And some Pics of Macc's boy "Rook " in keeping with my day of "reflection" - I am glad I kept "Rook" back as I was wanting to keep a son of Macc from a litter. Rook seems to be following
in the paw prints of his sire as a great boy with lots of working potential -
As I always say "many miles before we sleep", as we continue onward
with the adventures ahead with me and the crew!
Macc's son "Rook" out this morning on our new dumping of snow - he and my Ash seem to be my "pointer Canaans" -when they sense a rodent beneath the snow they "point" first then go in for the kill:-) Who needs cats when I have Canaans:-)
Youngster Rook working his first cow at ll months - his daddy Macc would be proud:-)
Just had to include this puppy pic of Macc's handsome son "Rook"
“Dogs are often what we make them: They may have their own traits and personalities, but in the end, they are "Mirrors" of our own lives – living, breathing testaments to our strengths and frustrations, our families and our pasts. They have a remarkable gift for entering our lives at particulair times and weaving themselves in. It is one of their most endearing traits, a key part of their impressive adaptability."– Jon Katz (Author)
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