Peafowl Showoffs

What do you call a group of peafowl? 
An "ostentation" or a "pride", according to the San Diego Zoo.  Makes sense, given their reputation for vanity. 

The pair hanging out on a hay bale in our neighbor's barn seem more worried about warmth than ostentation, but that's probably because the temperature was no more than 10 F when the photo was taken.

Remember the escaped goats that attracted equine attention a few weeks ago?  Here they are, appropriately contained.  No more Houdini acts for them!

The first calves are already on the ground. 

We're warming up around here, but not in any great hurry.  We've had some crystal clear days since the last storm blew through. 

Daisy loves going out to chase rabbits or sniff for rodents, no matter the weather. 
I've spent most of January digitalizing 40 years worth of photos using one very slow scanner.  Steve has been busy planning rides.  Only a few more weeks and we'll be back to riding weather.

Meanwhile, we're chilling and dreaming of warm sunny days on the trail.

Snow Boss

Here's how our Snow Boss looked this morning when big flakes were falling fast.  A few minutes later, he ran off bucking and snorting.  The horses actually seem to enjoy the snow and cold.  They rarely bother getting in their barn. 
It's been very cold around here.  For the next week, highs will be in the single digits, lows about negative 20 F.  Brrr. 

We went cross country skiing last week on a sunny day at a little higher altitude. 

With an inversion (cold air sinks to the lowest point) going on in the Uinta Basin, the higher elevations are actually warmer. 

Mostly, we've been chilling, just like the starlings perched among the icicles on the apple tree,

or the finches hanging out near the feeder. 

Sometimes the starlings crouch on the horses' backs, gathering a little warmth from thick fur and body heat. 

Pheasant have taken up residence along our creek this year.  A colorful male makes the rounds beneath the bird feeder each morning, pecking at fallen seeds.  Wisely, he stays outside Daisy's dog fence.  No point in tempting fate.   

Snow Trails

We spent the holidays with family, enjoying plenty of Utah snow.  All the critters enjoyed a chilly romp.

Our daughter and son-in-law braved the trails carrying a couple of adventurers-in-training. 

One son and daughter-in-law headed out on cross country skis. 

Back at home, a couple of kiddos practiced their driving skills. 

One did some early morning shopping.
We played games, made gingerbread sleighs, went sledding, shared gifts, and generally had a fine time. 
I hope everyone enjoyed the holidays as much as we did. 
Happy New Year to all! 

Winter Rides

December didn't shut down our riding completely. 

Early in the month, we had a few sunny days, like the one pictured above on Wolf Mountain.

The snow isn't deep yet, but the temperatures are dropping.  Still, we were comfortable enough riding in Ouray National Wildlife Refuge on December 9th.

Yesterday we rode in Sand Wash, on dirt roads north of Highway 40.  The thermometer read 23 degrees F.  No sun.  Light wind.  Cold! 
Unless we have a warming trend before the big snow that could come any day now, we're hanging up the saddles for 2011.  We had a good run, 910 miles since we started the riding season in February with forays to Canyonlands. 

For the next few weeks, we'll be hanging around the old homestead.  (Fortunately, our homestead has a roof and central heating, unlike this abandoned cabin.)

Still Snowy

On this date in 2009 (and most years), the snow was almost gone in the pasture:This year, we still have 6 inches of compacted snow:

No riding yet.  Looks like we'll have to trek down to southern Utah to jump start the spring season.

Best Insulation

With wind chill, the morning's temperature is well below zero, but Boss stays warm and cozy in his dun brown horsehair coat, just furry enough, with a black line down the back, black accent around the eyes, black stockings and subtle zebra stripes on the legs.  A quirky lopsided star on his forehead completes the ensemble.  This handsome coat is designed by C.*, and amazingly suited to all conditions. 
As you can see, the coat provides so much insulation that Boss's body heat does not melt the snow on his back.  The coat is cleverly devised so that Boss himself can adapt his coat's thickness to seasonal conditions, simply by growing more horsehair, or shedding the extra.  Who could imagine a more ingenious and convenient strategy?     
* C. = Creator.  C. also goes by numerous other names, depending on one's beliefs, culture or linguistic preference.

Good morning, Moon!

She glows like ghostly embers of the night, even as dawn's rosy fingers lure her to the horizon, and out of sight.

Grass is Always Greener

Can the forage really be so much sweeter on the other side of the fence?

Apparently so.

Snow Vacation

The lazy days of winter are excellent for communing with neighbors,

relaxing indoors,

or catching some warm morning rays,

That's what we're up to around here.  What are your favorite January thrills and chills?

Something Wintry This Way Comes

The dark and light contrast on the Wasatch Mountains warned of inclement weather last Sunday, but some of us still enjoyed looking up:

The next day brought alternating drizzle and sun. The mountains sported a confectioner's sugar dusting on top, yet the Salt Lake Valley remained green:

By Wednesday morning, we had snow! 

Variety is the Spice

Most of December, all of January, and most of February is cross country skiing time around here. The weather is too cold and the snow too deep for trail riding, so the horses get a rest.

By early March, we'll start riding at lower elevations (around 4500 feet) in the desert, pinyon-juniper country.

By July/August, we'll move up to 11-12,000 feet in the Uinta Mountains.

From wildflowers through the changing aspens, we'll make the most of high country rides.

Then, as winter moves in up high, we'll again enjoy lower altitude rides...

until the snow falls in the desert once again.
We're lucky to have such diversity, all within an hour's drive of our house. And all of it under cover of the big, beautiful western sky.

To see more skies all over the world, go to Skywatch Friday.

Pastoral Fairyland

Lacy frost on the grass of summer past:

The breath of winter on an equine coat:

Take heart, friends. Only two months 'til spring!

Re: previous post, Frost Crystals. Thanks to Arija for referring to my white horse as a unicorn. I've always wanted one of those! Thanks to EGTourguide for providing a scientific definition of hoarfrost, "Ice crystals formed in super-saturated air."

Several folks offered suggestions for renaming my subject matter. Tess gave me "sparkle magic." Rob calls it "winter magic." But my favorite came from Gaelyn. I hereby wave my Good Witch of the West wand and change the name of hoarfrost to "fairy frost."