Tag: outdoors

Posted on in wildlife

wild things

Can’t take credit for this blog post. Render all applause to the rancher/cowboy Sprout #1. Seems he placed a few motion-sensor cameras around the ranch in Union County, New Mexico. This ranch is nestled in northern Union County, near where New Mexico meets the Oklahoma Panhandle and southern Colorado.

The southern portion of the ranch is rolling grassland. As one travels north, the country roughens into cedar breaks.

The cedar breaks.
The cedar breaks.

The northern apex of the ranch is regally crowned with a colorful, wind-swept canyon. It conjures Louis L’Amour, Zane Grey and Larry McMurtry novels for me. Fancy myself freely galloping horseback with my handsome cowboy sidekick (Robert Duvall) riding into the crimson sunset.

This portion of New Mexico is in severe drought. Worst we’ve ever seen. Therefore, the watering holes are popular hang-outs for wildlife. A veritable Studio 54. Watch closely….you might spot Bianca Jagger or Biebs. Will you have to bribe the bouncer to gain entry?

We see you, crafty elk. Wearin' night vision glasses.
We see you, crafty elk.

Is this the same animal? Who knows?

Check out the dead grass. Pretty slim grass pickins the last few years.
Notice the dead grass. Pretty slim grass pickins the last few years.

The elk shed antlers every year. Sprout #1 has picked up some huge antler sheds.

turkey
Check out this handsome turkey. He’s lucky it’s not November.

Sprout #1 spent plenty of hours this winter doggedly tracking the big cats-mountain lion. He saw a few, but never got a shot off.

deadmountainlion
This hunter killed the mountain lion on a neighboring ranch. Look at the size of this cat! Wonder how many newborn calves he’s killed?

We’re always hearing of ‘bear and rumors of bear’ around the ranch.

bear track
The Sprout’s size 13-14 boot. Look at the size of the bear print.

Makes me remember the time Sprout #2 and I bravely camped out with the cowboy crew during branding time. The ranch foreman told me they spotted a bear near the campground. We slept (uneasily) with a loaded 9mm in our flimsy, two-person pup tent.

bear walking
Not sure our 9mm was a powerful enough caliber. He looks like he could make short work of a pup tent. Yikes.

We provide the wildlife with the most modern, convenient amenities.

bearswimming
Where’s the fluffy white towel?

Had the bear realized he was being filmed, he would’ve worn a swimsuit. Modesty demands it.

Hope your week is packed with surprises.

Untamed wild and beastly love to all.