Yesterday, we rode up 5 Mile Draw (off of the Wells Draw Road) to the Bad Land Cliffs. The elk skull above, with the rest of the skeleton nearby, suggests a natural death. Note that the elk horns have been chewed by rodents. The skull must have been there for a long time.
On the way up, we traveled through grassy meadows. We spotted an antelope and a coyote.
We found a group of these tiny cactus (flowers about an inch in diameter) growing in a meadow. I think they're cushion cactus.
On his lunch break, Boss enjoyed tasty bunch grass under the shade of a huge juniper.
From the top, we looked down on a lot of rough country and into 9 mile canyon, world famous for its abundance of Fremont culture rock art.
Well done on the skull photo. That photo would look good hanging on a wall. Love the cactus blooms.
ReplyDeleteFantastic views, I love the grassy meadows, blooming cactus, and Boss munching under the juniper tree!
ReplyDeleteLove the first pic and the one with Boss having lunch. Great adventures again.
ReplyDeleteI love seeing the wide open prairies and mountains off in the distance. I hope it all remains the same forever and ever.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your beautiful world, Janie.
The last two pictures make the area look desolate, but grass and flowers show that is definitely not the case. It's beautiful.
ReplyDeleteWhat no PBJ for Boss.
ReplyDeleteEverytime I look at your blog it's like I've stepped back in time. The entire time I read this post that old Cowboy movie song was playing in my head- no title or words just that whistle and whiny song "do do do do do" "wah wah wah" Yeah. That one.
ReplyDeleteLo0vely pics of the deserted countryside.The cactus flowers are pretty.
ReplyDeleteDear Janie and Steve, I have only just found your blog . . . over at Sweetbay . . . and find it mesmerizing. Fantastic landscapes and adventures! Regards and thanks from Carol in New England
ReplyDeleteso jealous of your rides! this looks like a fantastic one!
ReplyDeleteThose cactus flowers are amazing. What a glorious ride. I am so impressed by how well your horses' feet have done under your care.
ReplyDeleteFabulous, you see so many wonderful things out there and I am so grateful that you share them with us, thanks Janie.
ReplyDeleteThe cactus blooms are lovely. The shot of the elk skull is excellent, gives a real feel for what the area is like.
ReplyDeleteThe skull and Bad Land fit neatly together. The vista from the top is marvellous - all that land and no human intervention, apparently.
ReplyDeleteThat is wide open country, you can see for miles. It seems a bit dry for this time of year. Here the hillsides are green with spring grass.
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful captures....well except for the poor Elk. :)
ReplyDeleteLove those little cactus flowers!
I envy your high altitude trips and views!!!
ReplyDelete