The Wildness Within

Haying On Casper’s Ranch

August, 2008 – Haying On Casper’s Ranch -

It is Haying Season on the Ranch.
Hot and dry winds of August
cure the sweet smelling grasses
for all the grazing animals
Living the saying
” Make hay while the sun shines ”
Working until sunset and into the night
to beat the rain.
All the forces of Nature full of bounty.
The fullness of the growing things.
WILDNESS all around.
Living a Natural cycle
preparing for Winter.

JimJ

This photo reminds me of and old master landscape painting.

Prints available at – jamesjohnson@nvc.net

Grandson Spencer on the Ranch

My grandson Spencer was visiting the ranch last week, a full time was had by all.

Spencer taking me for a ride.

On our way to the rodeo.

Signs of Spring on the Ranch

High boots in the muddy manure
scent of winter mildew moistness
from sweet grass hay

Babies abound
mother cow bellows with the pain of the new calf
her calf struggles to breath through the afterbirth
some don’t make it
others struggle to stand as the herd moves forward
mother sheep groans a out shoots a white furry missile
predators await

Gray Drakes patrol the nesting area with there
heads and neck bent down mouths open hiss – s- s-s-stay away
big wings spread and flapping
they fearlessly attack any thing that moves
protecting the gander on the grade AAA eggs

Clouds of blackbirds swarm with wings of red, yellow and white
they move with UFO shap and speed through the cattle

There are fresh aromas in every step I take
It is time for cowboys to sing
and say ” ha-ay babe, walk on the Wild Side ”

JimJ