Driving Cattle and Giving Thanks
It was a pretty sunrise while the guys were getting ready for preg check. I got my papers in order and headed down to the cows. We had a successful check and had a great lunch before heading them up into the hills.
We got them through the first gate and up the main road. You may recognize this road from the fall scene I called Country Road. Not so colorful this time of year.
Got through the second gate.
There is always one that thinks she needs to go on her own. She’s a non-conformist.
Again she separates from the herd.
But Patrick can always show them the way.
Patrick was the gate getter.
If you keep them spread out a little and stay at a steady pace, they tend to travel better rather than keeping them bunched up and moving fast.
Sometimes the sound of a swinging rope will straighten the girls up and keep them moving.
We were heading straight west into the hills and into the sun.
I had to shade my eyes just to see the road.
It’s quite the climb up into these hills and we’re prefer they stay on the road. But as always, a few tend to go their own way.
Patrick and I took a group into what we call the rock pasture (this whole place is rocky, not sure why this one is so special) and down into the canyon to water. The other cowboys took a group to the river.
We went back and checked on them the next day and their bellies were full and they were very content. The ladies will enjoy their Thanksgiving holiday in the hills.
I hope you have a wonderful rest of the week. Thanks for hanging out with me here at our home on the range. I am so grateful for each of you.
Much Love,
Leah
I love your posts!
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Thanks Martine!
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Thankful for you too, Leah!
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You’re so kind. I guess that’s why you are called seasweetie. 😉
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Very beautiful and idyllic autumn scenes! The colours are really harmonious, I think 🙂
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Thank you! It’s prettier in the early fall but you’re right, there is something idyllic about the dare limbs and dry ground.
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Great pictures! How do you get your cattle through the tough winter period?
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Thank you! We keep them close to the house. We’ll bring them closer come January or February. But, they are covered in leather and are pretty touch. Still, we like to keep a close eye on them closer to calving time which occurs between March and May.
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I love reading your posts w/matching photographs. You’re simply an amazing photographer. Love the 1st image, perfect lighting hitting the tips of the grass.
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Thank you Mary!
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I enjoyed driving cattle with you! Thanks a lot
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Thanks again for coming along! 😉
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🙂
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Beautiful Photos – loving seeing the ranch life:) Have a Great Thanksgiving!!!
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Your photos are so beautiful!!!
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Amazing photos.
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Happy Thanksgiving, Leah! Your pictures give me a taste of what ranch life in Wyoming is like, and I love those glimpses into your world. Your photography is beautiful, and the scenes you describe are lovely to imagine. I can hear the cattle lowing and the chink and rustle of the saddles as the cowboys ride along. Imagining the sun on my face and the dust in my nose makes me feel like I was on the drive, too. You have a gift. Enjoy your holiday, and keep posting. Each one is a joy!
Blessings to you and your family.
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Thank you for sharing. This brings up such nostalgia for the “old days.” It makes me want to sing “Home. Home on the range. Where the deer and the …”
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This is exactly what my Best Friend wants to do. Go out west and participate in a cattle drive! Youe post just convinced me to go along with the idea! You are fortunate Leah and very talented!
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It’s a lot of hard work but it can be fun too! Thanks Sheila!
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Lovely!!
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New on your blog. Checking out some archives. Love these photos. How do you “fit in” to this ranch life? Do you participate in all aspects of the care of the cattle? Or are you just there with your handsome cowboy, enjoying being a photographer, blogger, etc? Just curious? Sounds and looks like a lovely way to live!
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Well, kind of both! I do help with gathering and herding cattle while photographing at the same time. In fact right now, I’m watching through the binoculars a cow starting to give birth to her calf and it looks like she’s having a tough time of it. The calf may be turned wrong and she can’t push it out. So I will probably run out there in a bit and walk her into the calving barn and when Patrick get’s back, he’ll have to put the long glove on and go inside and turn the calf around and pull it while I assist. Just little stuff like that. 😉 I do enjoy the ranch life and working cattle but mostly I run my photography business and sell my art at a gallery in town. Thanks for joining me here and for commenting. So glad to meet you!
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