Wednesday, July 23, 2008

A prairie walk...



I went out to check the cows today. That means you go looking for them out in the pasture, make sure the cows and calves look healthy and look for the bull and make sure he's not hurt. It's breeding season, so the bull must be found and he must be in his cow bunch. If not, the hunt is on! This is where I drove and later took a prairie walk with my dogs. I didn't actually wade out into this sweet clover, but walked the trail which was lined on both sides with clover up to my eyeballs.



Cows 'n' clover



And here's the bull, right in the center of the cows. Isn't he a pretty fella?



My trusty companions.
Jessie (above) is 11 years old and is a wonderful cow and sheep dog. We couldn't ranch without her.



And here's Sue. She's Jessie's 2 year old daughter. She's learning how to be a good cow and sheep dog too.



I just couldn't resist a grassy meadow of flowers.
These are prairie cone flower.

(click photos for a closer look)

14 comments:

  1. Great photos! Now, about that bull. If he's in breeding, doesn't he know to go and ... uh ... do his thing? I didn't realize that you had to "manage" the situation. Gosh, I have a lot to learn about such issues.

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  2. Junie,

    Yes, he does know how to “do his thing” but we’re always checking on him to make sure he’s healthy and in with his cows and not in the neighbor’s cows. Sometimes bulls get hurt when they’re out with the cows and we need to know immediately if there’s a problem so we can put a new bull in with the cows. Our livelihood depends on getting these cows bred. Does that help?

    Thanks for your comment and question.

    Jody

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  3. Beautiful prairie photos! What fun to peek into your day on the ranch. :-)

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  4. Such beautiful photos of the prarie. I'd love to wake up in the morning knowing that was waiting for me. I laughed at your question about what a pretty bull he is -- and I wondered what he's thinking. So many cows, so little time, maybe???

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  5. My! How GREEN your world is this summer. Beautiful! I'd love to be out walkin' the prairie with you and see Jesse and Sue bounding through that grassy meadow. What a pretty site.

    SC

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  6. If I was going to compare myself to a dog I would definately be a sheep herding dog! Love your prairie...

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  7. Beautiful prairies - and a fine looking bull!

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  8. Blessings and much love to you and yours.
    Love all that you share.
    Love Jeanne

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  9. Lovely, lovely, lovely. What a fine way to spend a few hours.

    Here's a question for you...If you take your dogs to the prairie, does that make them prairie dogs? Ha, Ha! Ok, that's lame, I know. I couldn't help myself. I'll go now.

    Cassie

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  10. I think that a dog's true place must be on a farm-- Jessie and Sue looked like very fulfilled dogs! And I still like your expansive views.

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  11. lovely pasteures and a nice sized herd..that bull sure looks like good breeding stock.
    hope you have a good week.
    Tina

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  12. What a beautiful blue sky! I love the contrasts of colors this time of year where you live, and it is so very different from what you share with us during the winter months. Then it is equally as beautiful, but in a much quieter way. Your dog companions look like they'd be wonderful company, Jody.

    Best wishes!

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  13. Ha! If I was to ever live in the country I'd buy me a dog just like yours! So darn cute...

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  14. What strikes me about all of your prairie photos is the space! I have never been in a place where the views are so wide open.

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