Girls

Here’s a current look at Sundance’s girls Raven and Kootenai:

Kootenai

Raven

Pretty, happy, healthy girls.

Where the water is …

… the wild things are:

Raven, Sundance, Skywalker, Kootenai and Mysterium drink at the trickle, which still is trickling. Corona was waiting her turn.

Lots of deer tracks here, too.

Raven at rest

Raven’s hind hooves. Wild, muddy, healthy hooves.

Not weaned yet

Skywalker doesn’t have much longer to nurse before mama Rave starts to wean him in preparation for her new baby. But by the looks of this sweet mama, she’s in no hurry to wean her big baby boy. Love how she seems to be hugging him, content in the late-day light.

This was taken last week. Yesterday, the basin – at least parts of – got about 5 inches of snow. What a relief.

Snow ponies

When first spotted last week, only Raven, Skywalker and Sundance were visible. Kootenai, in her photo in a previous post, is so alert because I had just come over a rise and found her and Mysterium. They were out of sight until I was right above them.

Mama and mini-me – Raven and Skywalker.

Handsome Sundance. He really does have eyes under that gorgeous forelock!

Yes, Mysterium still is nursing.

Raven, Skywalker and Sundance watched Hollywood’s and Comanche’s bands below them on the hill for a while, then followed me to where Koootenai and Mysterium were grazing by themselves. Kootenai is fairly independent and often can be found grazing somewhat separate from the others. They’re never too far away, and young Sundance is a calm and confident stallion to let them wander.

Seeing double

Great big boy, and isn’t it amazing how much he looks like mama? For now!

Happy Thanksgiving!

This year, as every year, I am so thankful for the people in my life. For my family, above all, and for my friends who are like family.

I am grateful for one of the best years of my life and everything that came together that allows me to spend so much time with the mustangs that mean the world to me.

I am grateful for our Spring Creek Basin mustangs, these magical animals that make my heart sing every time I see them.

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.

Be grateful for all the joys in your lives!

Raven & Skywalker

Like mama, like son.

I could post photos of this handsome pair every day! Look how shiny and beautiful Raven is. And that Skywalker is a big boy! His size reminds me of Apollo, but he doesn’t look much like his big brother.

Do you see the far hill in the background? That’s aspen gold. How can it possibly be fall already?! But the season is turning … my favorite!

OK, one more. That Skywalker! Love his expressions!

How about one with stepdaddy Sundance for good measure? And this angle shows mama’s and son’s spots. Can you see better from this side how Skywalker is greying around his spot?

The background from this angle shows where McKenna Peak Wilderness Study Area overlaps Spring Creek Basin Herd Management Area – and we’re standing in part of the herd management area that also is part of the WSA. The big hill is the lower flanks of Brumley Point. Our boundary fence basically comes down that far right side. The WSA continues on eastish and northish (and southish from this vantage). Round Top and north are leftish.

That’s a lot of -ish.

No -ish, ands or buts about it, this boy is straight up CUTE!

Mirror, mirror

Raven and Skywalker.

From a couple of weeks ago now, from a gorgeous evening on a hillside. Mama and her baby boy. Aren’t they divine!

Tolerance (stallion perspective)

I got to watch young Skywalker trying to get stepdaddy Sundance to play recently. And I had to laugh at the way it “ended.”

First “invitation” to play.

Sundance responded half-heartedly, which led to Skywalker baby clacking, and Sundance resumed his grazing. This was the second invitation.

So Sky launches the tried-and-true tactic of babies everywhere: Go for the hocks.

Sundance’s response. Again, half-hearted (there was no actual kicking involved).

But Sky now is wise to papa’s avoidance, and he continues (maybe he recently made acquaintance with Badger at the spring?) until Sundance indulges him.

At which point, baby runs straight to Mama.

I hope this brings a chuckle to your day!