Snowfall in Late June
Did that get your attention? Well, it wasn’t snowing the cold and wet stuff. It was snowing cotton.
We took a drive down to the meadows one evening to check the irrigation ditch and the water level of the river. We had already taken the cattle up to summer pasture so all was quiet except the summer wind blowing through the cottonwood trees.
Cotton was on everything. The barbed wire fence, tree limbs and blades of grass were covered. The scenes were out of a fairy tale.
This image is my favorite.
I ran around chasing the sun while trying to outrun the deer flies. We don’t frequent the meadows in summer because the bugs are bad. But wow. I’m so glad I went down there this particular evening.
Mother Goose, Mother Nature
We have two sets of resident geese. One pair stays at the west side of our property, the other at the complete opposite end.
Whenever I walk up to the edge of the river, they take off squawking and kicking and it spooks me so bad, similar to when a sage grouse pops out of the sage grass spooking the heck out of your horse while gathering cattle on the Laramie Plains. Some of you know exactly what I’m talking about.
The river is high and rapid in some parts but it doesn’t bother them much.
While looking for newborn calves I quietly photographed this little family hiding as best as they could. I only see two babies here. Looks as though our resident owl has possibly been snatching these babies up for their own enjoyment. Oh the beauty and heartache mother nature gives us. Those fuzzy babies are so cute.
Breathing in an Autumn Sunset
I love a good walk by the river.
The first signs of autumn are showing. It’s comforting to hear the trickle of the river and cottonwood leaves falling in the slightest breeze.
Everywhere I turn, there is a calming beauty that surrounds us and I love breathing it in.
Sunsets are becoming even more magical as we draw closer to the cool crisp air of the autumn months.
Sandhill Cranes take flight once the sun is behind the mountains.
Look at that cloud down low. Looks like a funnel doesn’t it? Not sure what you’d call that but I know is wasn’t a tornado.
I hope you are enjoying the first days of Autumn. Here’s to colorful backdrops, rich sunsets and pumpkin spice everything!
High Tide
It’s been a very wet spring so far with more rain to come. The Laramie River is high and rapid and is crashing against the bank. It’s pretty spectacular.
River Crossing
Do not go where the path may lead,
go instead where there is no path
and leave a trail.
–Ralph Waldo Emerson
Bluebird Sky
The sun peeked out through a sliver of clouds yesterday while we were feeding the cows.
The sky is as blue as a bird today and the sun us melting the white stuff quickly. Looks like it will be a muddy day. Have a good one folks!
Warm Winter Landscape (for a change)
Hello all! We’ve had some gorgeous weather here the last couple of weeks. Such a change from the brutal chill during the holidays. I mean, temps have gotten into the upper 50’s and 60’s on some days. I know winter isn’t over but it’s nice to have a break from those heavy snow days.
For me, this time of year is usually filled with paperwork, scheduling weddings and commercial shoots for the year, and just basic business organization. This busy work does excite me for what’s in store for the upcoming year but unfortunately it gets in the way of shooting personal work. *Sigh*…Alas, it must be done.
Anyway, here is a image from one of my walks along the river during this beautiful spell of warm weather. I love the sliver of the moon framed in the bare branches. Nature walks do the body and mind a whole lotta good. 🙂
Have a great weekend friends!
Steamy New Year
You know it’s cold when the normally chilly Laramie River is warmer than the air. Last night, as the sun set, steam was rising from the river. Folks, it is SO. DANG. COLD. I’ve heard our temps are in the negatives anywhere from -1 to -38 at night. Needless to say, we are ringing in a very cold New Year. Hoping it’s a steamy one. 😉
I wish you all the best in 2015. Thanks for visiting!
Cheers and seeya next year,
Leah
With a Little Help From My Friends
Thank you all for your kind and thoughtful comments, poems, emails, and phone calls on the loss of Matilda. You all have been so comforting to me during this difficult time. I know I couldn’t get through this without the help from my friends and family.
I wish you all a wonderful weekend. 🙂
River Cow
Thinking about our gorgeous fall leaves on this overcast and rainy day. This girl decided to bathe and take a sip while I was setting up for a portrait session one morning. She made her way across and grazed in the sunshine after a while. I love the grass and water dripping from her mouth. She looks quite content with her surroundings.
The Dew was On
Scenes from a foggy, misty weekend.
And I’ll tellya, we had to build a fire a couple of nights this weekend.
Ahem… yes, it’s June.
The Laramie is High and the Sun is Bright!
I got a call a couple days ago that reservoir #1 was so full that they would be releasing water down the Laramie River. They weren’t kidding! The river is really high and our meadows are full of lakes and streams. We moved the cows and calves out yesterday evening with help from the neighbor kids. It was a riot splashing through the meadows on our four-wheelers. We are again thankful for the moisture and with that and the blinding sun, the grass is really growing. Oh spring, how I adore thee! 🙂
Snowmelt Overflow
Yesterday was gorgeous. The weather was perfection and an abundance of snowmelt is racing through the rivers. We have the Laramie River running through the property and the Sybille River feeds our irrigation ditch. Patrick has dammed it off as much as possible at the head gate but we still have extra water coming down the ditch. I have to watch the cattle closely because of all this water which gives me anxiety but photographically, the ponds that are created are beautiful.
Frozen Fog
Yesterday morning we awoke to a thick, frozen fog lingering over us. It was beautiful.
The cows didn’t think it was all that great as their coats were covered in said frozen fog.
A bald eagle took off from the trees but flew pretty low. I don’t think they fly very well when there is a heavy freeze and moisture in the air.
I looked to the east hoping I’d see the sun rising but all I saw was barely a glow.
When I looked to the west, the sky was trying to come through the haze. It didn’t clear out until noon when the wind came up and blew the snow into drifts. But do not fear my friends, it started to snow again today.
*Sigh*
I’ll tell Winter what Rachel told Joey on the TV show Friends. “Oh honey, at least you’re pretty.”
“The Air Hurts My Face.”
“Why do I live somewhere where the air hurts my face.”
A friend posted a meme on Facebook yesterday with that saying and it couldn’t be more appropriate. Our temperatures have maintained a steady below zero temp for days now. It is sooo cold. I’m not complaining because I know there are places in the world much colder but after we came in from feeding the cows, the hair that was exposed from underneath my hat was frozen. Solid. Like I could have just broken it in half. And my face hurt.
Don’t let this bull and his harem intimidate you. I’ve got something they want and they are waiting patiently for the rest of the group to join us before we spread out the cake.
We rolled out a bail and Patrick pitched out even more. There is only one pitch fork down there so I told him I’d take pictures while he pitched hay. It’s only fair. 😉
Most of the river is frozen. As always it’s tempting to skate across it but…I’m smarter than that.
I’m not sure when this extreme winter spell will break but I’ve got photo shoots and a printer workshop lined up this month. I’m very much hoping for some nicer weather in the coming weeks. Frozen fingers are crossed!
Cold Hovers Over the Laramie River
Even though the chill of winter is still with us and new life has yet to spring, the Laramie River continues to flow so peacefully.
Last night, winds reached from 67 to 71 mph blowing dirt, tumbleweeds and dog dishes all over the property. There are advisories out of a winter storm that is on it’s way to us today and into tomorrow. But it seems the only thing the weatherman ever gets right is the terrorizing wind. The sky is gray and all is quiet now. It seems something is upon us so only time (and old man winter) will tell.
A Fixed Gaze
I am always watched closely when I take a walk by the river. Sometimes they are right behind me, sometimes they keep their distance. But the cattle always have a fixed gaze and drool hoping I have yummies to share.
Icey Cold
It’s been a chilly start to 2014 all over the country. I enjoy the brisk air in my lungs when I go out for a hike in the peak of the day but it grows colder quickly as the sun goes down. I love how the mountains and trees turn purple as the sky reflects off of the ice. The Laramie River is so peaceful when it is covered in ice.
Many of us are starting the first work week of the new year. The rest are snowed or iced in. Hope it’s a good one nonetheless. xoxo 🙂
New Canons, New Muse
After taking a break from unpacking boxes, breaking down boxes and simply kicking boxes to their prospective rooms, Patrick and I decided we needed a break.
The grand prize from the contest was a Canon Rebel SL1 and since Patrick is the star of the winning photographs, I thought it was time he has his own gear…on permanent loan mind you (I really like that light-weight powerful little camera!). So we suited up with our new cameras and headed out to the meadows.
A huge flock of geese flew above us. We are lucky to still have a full view of Squaw Mountain even though we aren’t as close to it as we were before the move.
We enjoyed a beautiful sunset and observed the amount of grass we have for the cows and horses when we bring them home next week. We’ll supplement with hay bales when winter hits but they’ll have quite a bit to munch on until then.
We are fortunate to have the Laramie River running through our place and I’ve been scouting out many settings for upcoming fall portrait sessions.
Looks like the tables have turned. Now that Patrick has his own camera and since he’s been my muse for several years now, I guess it’s only fair a shot or two will be taken of me.
Watering Holes
I finally got to walk on water.
Well, actually, we walked across the frozen river. Patrick went to crank up the tractor and while it was warming up, we walked over to the river. Notice the deer tracks on the frost on top of the ice.
I mentioned in Below Zero about the deer having to break ice to get a chilly sip. Well by golly, they busted through and have a hole to drink from.
At a different part of the river where the horses and some cattle are grazing, Patrick had to drive over the river a couple times with the tractor to get it busted out. It didn’t break close enough to the edge and I watched while the younger horses tried to walk on the ice to that hole. It was a funny sight watching them slip and slide but they finally gave up and waited for the tractor to go over it again. Rat found a little hole to sip out of in the meantime.
Uprooted Magnolia 
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