A Little of This, A Little of That ...

We got a little springtime snowfall, which is not unusual for this time of year here in SW Colorado. The temperature dropped enough to grace us with a couple inches and I suppose that by this afternoon it'll be gone.   

Photos this morning ... from new-to-me birds, rusty bull snaps, and even a couple things in between ....

 

And it's yet another good day!

Our Sunday morning here in Mancos

First thing this morning I got all the animals fed, and then Toma took Maggie for her "short" walk.  After we had everybody temporarily satisfied, Toma and I headed out for a walk around our neighbor block.  It takes about an hour and fifteen minutes without stopping, but this morning I was packing the camera, so it took a bit longer.   

   
You just never know what you are going to run into on this little outing.  This morning we encountered a mama fox.  It was clear that she didn't want us to come too close to the entrance to her den.  I'm sure that she has kits, although we haven't seen them yet.  Anyway, this is her attempt to lead us away from the den. 

 I guess you could say that she's a "very foxy mama"!

I love this walk.  You can walk the block and see more animals than you do people or vehicles.  Actually the only vehicle that we had to move out of the way for was an ATV and the ranch hand driving it.  The animals are more elusive. 

 Like these deer for instance.... 

 Can you find them in the brush?

The family critters were all very glad to see us when we got home.  Especially Maggie.  Friday we finally learned that Maggie has a bladder tumor.  It is so very difficult to leave her at home now when we need to go for a real walk.  I think that this life-passage is probably harder for us than it is for her, but I'm not really sure.  She still has that Border Collie willingness, but her poor old body just can't do it anymore.  So every day we still go for Maggie-walks,  going only as far and as fast as she can manage.  We have always had a dog in tow on our hikes or horse back rides.  It's very strange, this walking without a dog!

Thirteen year old Maggie loving "doing her thing".

The horse and the mule got their one-hour-turnout.  I had mowed the small pasture yesterday, and we are still carefully watching their protein intake. 

 Rhett 22 and Polly 25 chowing down on spring grass.

Here is photo proof of the difference between "who" loves to eat? and "who" eats to live?  I call them in with a little grain. 
Guess who comes a-running?

  .... and so ends another good morning in Mancos.

Spring Turnout

With these older guys I have learned to make gradual changes in their feed and daily routines. Unfortunately they get very little exercise and in this area the green grass comes on fast in the spring.   So they get "slowly" reintroduced to their pasture each year when the snow melts off here in the valley.  

Spring in this area is a mixed bag of high wind, sunny days, snow flurries, very cold nights, and it can all change drastically from one day to the next.  Today was a beautiful day with sunshine and warmer temperatures.  Here are a few snaps of my two lazy guys enjoying about an hour on the small pasture this morning.  It is amazing how quickly this old brown dead grass turns to lush green protein.... way too much protein for these two characters.

Spring is springing......

May of last year ... too much green grass!

Are You An April Fool?

WHAT has BIG, Long Ears,

Sweet, Brown Eyes,

Absolutely LOVES Carrots,

AND is here to wish you a

HAPPY EASTER?


  

Did you guess...

  POLLY?