April 20, 2009

The Wild Life on Tabby Mountain


Tabby Mountain Wildlife Management Area always provides an excellent ride. The gates are closed to vehicular traffic until May, but the horse gate is always open.
The temperature was in the sixties at the trailhead, 6800 feet. Wildlife was out in force.

We saw deer,

elk (enlarge photo above and you'll see him against the sky, midway up the slope),

and bluebirds.
The horses had a refreshing drink at a mountain spring.

Snow covered the trail at 8300 feet.

By traveling off trail in sunnier areas, we were able to reach an 8800 foot ridgetop for amazing views.
Our GPS profile shows we traveled 18 miles with 3100 feet elevation gain and loss in 4.5 hrs.

Back at the trailer, Daisy enjoyed a well-deserved rest in the shade.
For pictures from fascinating worlds around the globe, click here.

35 comments:

  1. That's some amazing captures there...
    Loved the camels

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  2. Oh, can I go riding with you? What a fablous place to ride.

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  3. Excellent photos, i especially love the one of the horses drinking the water.

    Have a great week!
    Guy
    Regina In Pictures

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  4. may we join you on your next ride?
    oh how lovely your ride was to tabby mountain.
    enjoy your photos so very much.

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  5. Oh that is some place. There's a lot of deer.

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  6. Looks like a wonderful place. Your skies are always wonderful complements to the magical landscape.

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  7. What a magnificent place Tabby Mountain is. I have never heard of it. It looks like you had an inspiring ride on those horses. What a great way to spend a day! Wonderful photojournalism.

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  8. How beautiful! Everytime I visit your blog I just want to pack the kids in the car and drive to the middle of nowhere to check things out!

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  9. You do live in an amazing place, a backdrop to another world to me, a very spacious one.

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  10. What a great ride! The downside of using our ATV's is that we scare off the wildlife but it's still fun. Gotta love our wide open spaces. Excellent post, even better now that you have an audience who can appreciate the awe inspiring scenery and horsemanship you guys capture. (I still think you need to publish your story about the Great Horse Escape!)

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  11. That is a great place. Beautiful Shots.
    Have a great week.
    Visit That’s My World Tuesday

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  12. Wow 3100 feet in that amount of time. Beautiful scenery along the way too. Thanks for taking us along.

    Nebraska Birding

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  13. I love your posts and what a beautiful part of the country you live in. All of these shots are so wonderful. I almost feel like I was on the ride with you. I wish I was.

    I don't live too far from the North Carolina Mountains (I'm in the central part of NC) and have always spent a lot of time exploring my state's mountains but I feel deprived in that I've never been to the western part of the U.S. unless you count San Francisco where my brother lives. I would like to go to Utah and Montana in particular although I wish I'd gone when I was younger and did more hiking as well as some horseback riding. I'm only 51 but a lot worse for the wear, ha.

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  14. Wow you live in an amazing place! That first photo is spectacular.

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  15. How interesting life can be outside our own picture frame! Thank you for these beautiful natural wonders you posted for us. Too much to appreciatelife with.

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  16. Beautiful and picturesque mountains. Love those horses.

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  17. Janie, another great ride. Do you get to go out every day? So warm for 6300'. And you got lucky getting up over 8000'. I love those views.

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  18. Great, thanks for taking us along on your ride. What an adventure.

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  19. Wow, wow, and WOW! I just love these excursions!

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  20. Talk about purple mountains majesty! Another great trip. Your blog inspires me to learn to ride a horse and head out for the open range. (Somehow I don't see that happening any time soon ...)

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  21. what beautiful landscape shots...the colours are so subtle and pretty..

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  22. Tabby Mountain is beautiful. The reflection of the horses drinking is one of my favorites. The view from the top was amazing!

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  23. Your photos are amazing once more.
    The view from up there must be heavenly.

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  24. What an awesome place you live with wonderful scenery and places to ride and LOVE the watering hole!

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  25. Horses are such wonderful creatures, they not only carry oe around, but also give one an elevated view of the countryside. Beutiful trail ride with glorious views, wildlife and elevations. Great photos as well. Just great to come along with you.

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  26. I like the photos of the horses drinking. I have to confess to being a complete mcdonalds fiend - couldn't live without it! ;)

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  27. Feast for the eye and soul! Thank you for sharing. Happy Tuesday.

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  28. thanks for the short trip. i love the second to the last photo. a great scenery.

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  29. Janie, more than once I've gotten teary-eyed looking at your photos and reading your commentary. Is that weird or what?! But it's all good...your blog is very moving. :o)

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  30. Beautiful piccies of a stunning area of natural beauty.

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  31. You have an unfair advantage (wink) you live in the most beautiful place on earth and have so much to photograph. All your shots are gorgeous.

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  32. Beautiful photos. I enjoyed them enlarged. The animals do blend into their surroundings.

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  33. Great day!! It's so fun to get out and enjoy the change of seasons.

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  34. Another beautiful set of Photos. Lots of deer

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