Welcome to our ranch near Canada's west coast in Beautiful British Columbia's West Chilcotin mountain region. Where calling the vet means hollering back at the house to bring your kit, new friendships are formed from the back of a horse and true fun for a five year old is getting a machete for Christmas. Where 'cutting the dinks off' has a totally different meaning than what first comes to mind, Muck Boots are a household name, a hand shake still means something and the coffee is always on.

Sunday 19 February 2017

As the season begins to change

Here we go again.  How can it be that our 'quiet' winter has so soon turned to 'ack.....calving season!'
We are beginning to make the preparations to move the cows up to Six Mile, where the best calving facilities are.  Technically we should start about the 1st of March, but the cows are famous for not watching the calendar and we already have two on the ground (alive and well).  I think we are going to start this year off with a 'bang' again as it sure looks like there are plenty ready to go.  

A few photos from the last couple of weeks......

 Having a good roll in the warm sun after being brought in to close pastures to be fed.  
Trailing in.  They are looking great.  Once again, I'm riding trusty Tiffany, following Tally, Squirt, Ducky.......

Momma and baby.  We've seen quite a few moose over the winter actually, and it is nice to see.  Having less snow than usual has helped them out, no doubt.  Not so easy for the wolves to run them down.     

Puss trying to help Jackson with fractions.  Ha.  His next trick is to lay right on top of the workbook because he is so much more interesting than math.   

Rocky is also very helpful.

Cows trailing to the feed grounds.  Do you see the sun dog?  I took this through the tractor window so it looks a bit smudgy.  

Another one, same time.  Little green arrow at the top is odd.  (Again, taken through the tractor window.  And happy I was to have that window between me and the outside temperature! 

Oh, and I have to tell you about my newest acquisition!  Brady is a huntaway/border collie cross.  I have high hopes for her, but time will tell.  I got her from a working cowboy that has crossed the parents before, with great results.  He says it takes the necrotic-ness out of both breeds but I guess that remains to be seen.  She is super cute, friendly as can be and keen to be part of the team.  She also looks like she should be pulling a dog sleigh or protecting sheep but who am I to judge?  She is already as big as mum's awesome female Zip, and is only just over 3 months old.  But what the heck, if she doesn't turn out to be a working dog, she will certainly make a great companion for the kids.  
This photo doesn't show her size at all, but you get a good look at her sweetness.  

   
"A quiet moment"

Love this photo.  
Ben was helping me bring a couple young horses down from the meadow as they needed some extra feed.  

All the best folks.....my next post will come from the calving barn!  
Cheers,
Punky  

No filters.  Just lots of big sky.