Utah Bear

Riding in Tabby Mountain Wildlife Management Area, we were surprised to see bear tracks.  

Bear tracks, rear paws

Bear tracks, front paw

From the size, this was a mature black bear, maybe 5-6 feet long.

Bear trail on left side of photo

The bear followed the same sandy road we traveled.  The line of tracks is on the left side of the photo.

Boss on high alert

Boss hates bears.  When he gets the scent in his nose, he gets hyper alert and nervous.  In this photo, he was testing the air, but he only got really nervous later, when we must have passed close to the bear.  When Boss smells bear up close, he inhales, then blows out in a loud snort.  Only bear or sheep get this reaction from him.  Don't ask me why sheep fall into the same category as bear in his mind.  Fortunately, we did not actually see the bear.  I'm afraid Boss would have done a 180 and left me in the dirt!

On the way home, the sky darkened with storm clouds.  We managed to reach the trailer before more than a few raindrops fell.

On Trails, High and Low

There's nothing Daisy loves better than a spring fishing trip on the Green River.  Look, she caught a trout!

A ride to the top of Split Mountain provides sensational views of the Green River  (about 3000 ft below) running through Dinosaur National Monument.

Craggy peaks loom over the split in the mountain.

Yesterday we rode in Tabby Mountain Wildlife Management Area.  The above photo looks down on Red Creek Reservoir.

The best thing about riding on Tabby is sighting the abundant elk and deer populations.

Yes, that's a golden eagle soaring over a scampering deer herd.

It's tough to get a good photo of a soaring eagle, especially while on horseback, but this time, we got one!  The white in his tail feathers indicates it is a subadult.

Tabby Mountain Wildlife

While riding on Tabby, a herd of perhaps a hundred elk was proceeding us up the mountain.  We weren't trying to follow them, but they seemed to be taking the same path.

Steve took a video of the elk herd while mounted on Boss, which makes the viewing a bit unsteady.  He says in the video that the date is April 28, but it's really taken on March 28. 

You may be able to spot the herd of deer on the near hill.  They, too, were heading away from us.   

When we're not riding, we spend time with the grandkids on the Wasatch front.  Here's Steve with our youngest grandson, enjoying a day at the park.

Spring Training

We see plenty of wildlife on Tabby Mountain WMA (Wildlife Management Area).  The area, about 100 square miles, is gated and closed to vehicular traffic from December 1 to May 1. 

We often see large herds of deer and elk on Tabby.  

Last week we saw a moose nibbling on gambel oak leaf buds.  He was on a hillside only about 100 feet away.  

He saw us but didn't seem to care.  

Ouray Wildlife Refuge is another wide open place to ride.  

The sandhill cranes are back along the Green River.  Between the squawking cranes and the Canada geese, silence is in short supply.

Spring Fever

We've been getting ourselves, Daisy, and the horses in shape with lots of rides in the past few weeks.

Daisy is so excited about getting out on the trails.  She insists on carrying a halter herself as we go out to get the horses.

We went to Tabby Mountain a few times, where Daisy cooled off in potholes wherever she could find them.

A huge old pinon pine attracted Steve's attention.

In the Cedars, Daisy inspected the beaver dam and proclaimed the water fine for swimming.

Steve and Boss paused at a pond to admire reflections.

In Ouray Wildlife Refuge, we saw lots of Canada geese on the Green River, and heard sandhill cranes flying overhead.

A prairie dog peeked out of his hole,

And the wild horse herd that roams the area paused to stare at us.

Sometimes Mischief ponies along, and sometimes he just stays home.  While his compadres are being led out for a training run, Mischief maintains a low profile, hoping no one will notice him hiding out in the shed.  Is that a yawn, or is he laughing at his hard-working buddies?
He's our senior equine at 24, and he enjoys his days off!

Best Friends

Have you seen the "Puppy Love" superbowl ad?  It's sappy and adorable, and way too cute to miss!  If this doesn't make you smile, check your pulse.

Seeing this reminded me of a six week old Daisy interacting with Boss.

 Seven years later, the trust and friendship remains.

Below is a photo of a bald eagle, hanging out in a cottonwood tree near the creek, looking for lunch.  Alas, the creek was frozen, so the fishing was poor. After a few hours, he moved on.  We've seen several bald eagles in the area this year.

Last week, we had a spring-like ride on Tabby Mountain.  

No snow, dry trails, and temps near 50 at 7000 feet.  This week, we're getting much-needed snow.  Back to winter!  Maybe next month the weather will cooperate for a trip to southern Utah.

Spring Sings

We know spring is here when the red-wing blackbirds gather in the reeds along the creek, getting ready to set up their summer nests. 

Robins sing in the top of the aspen trees.  We didn't even see the second bird until we downloaded the photo.

A killdeer struts along the creek, looking for insects or perhaps admiring his handsome reflection.

Cushion cactus

Shooting stars,

and death camas bloom in the desert.

The foothills of Tabby Mountain are turning green,

and blue skies reflect in Birch Spring Pond at 8500 feet.  Mischief runs free while we ride.  He gets his exercise and enjoys a taste of the green grass.

A Winter's Path

In mid-November, we rode along Rabbit Gulch, near Tabby Mountain.  You can see a sandy trail heading toward Tabby in the photo above. 

Pockets of water along the gulch were frozen. 

But the day was sunny and warm enough. 

The first week of December, we celebrated a granddaughter's 3rd birthday.  While we were putting together her new kitchen set, she thought standing in the sink was lots of fun. 

Back at home, a couple of escaped goats attracted a crowd.  The horses were curious and wanted to make friends. 

Snow is predicted, so maybe we'll be cross country skiing soon.
We wish you peace and love during the holidays and always. 

Elk on Tabby Mountain

About a week ago, we rode on Tabby Mountain Wilderness Management Area for the first time this spring.  The gates were still locked to keep vehicles off the roads, but a horse gate is open year round.  In the foreground of the photo above, you can see the brown rails of the horse gate.  It's is too narrow for a 4 wheeler, but wide enough for horse and rider.

We saw one elk bachelor herd,

then another, smaller group.  Both groups were at about 9000 feet, enjoying the first shoots of spring grass. 

The aspen were just leafing out,

as were these currant bushes.

A few bluebells bloomed.

Daisy found a big patch of snow,

and a pond to swim in,

This mallard pair shares Daisy's love of water.