Of Spring, and country roads, and how a cow gets up.

Last week there was a branding. At the neighbors. And not just any neighbor - but the one whose property borders ours to the west. I wanted to go, because this particular branding was to be held close to our ranch.

You may not understand this if you aren't from the West, or from a ranching background, but let me tell you - it can be hard to find the brandin' trap if it's 'way back in the end of a huge pasture! Especially if you've never been to that place before. So when My husband told me that it would be held in a pasture close to us, I jumped at the chance.

Except.

I had dentist appointments for my kids that morning. Of course, a town run isn't a big deal, we only have 25 miles or so. But still. I hurried back after the dentist - hoping to make it to the branding before it was completely over.

This is the beautiful country we are blessed to live in! this is close to the the west edge of the ranch. I can't get enough of the springtime green! The distance is hard to capture with the lens of a camera. I love this prairie country. It gives a person a big feeling, living where you can see for miles and miles.

I had never been to this particular branding pen before, but I knew the general area - and I am getting better at finding them in the middle of nowhere! 🙂 I found the trucks and then followed the two-track back through the cow-pies and sagebrush till we found them. Unfortunately, just as I drove up - they were laying a brand on the very last calf. 🙁

All that rushing, and I missed it! Oh well. There's always tomorrow... So I turned around and headed home. Stopping along the way to grab a few photos of this mallard that I have been trying to photograph for weeks.

The beauty of dirt roads, is that you can just stop and snap pictures! Well, at least on a WY ranch road, you can.

Animal trivia: Horses always stand up with their front legs first, followed by their hind legs.

Cows always stand up with their hind legs first - followed by their front legs.

It's fascinating, if you like animals. 🙂 

And those are said neighbors' cows, by the way. We don't run white cattle here. (unless a bull comes through the fence! 😉 ) I kind of enjoy driving past their place and seeing the white cattle. Interesting colors.

And since I didn't make it to the branding, I thought I would share a photo or two from last years' branding with you. Last year at the same place, that is.