The recent days seem to have gotten longer. The smaller reservoirs on our grazing allotments have succumbed to the long, dry summer heat. Where once a muddy pond attracted wildlife, a flat, dusty, cracking surface, remains. We are blessed to have sufficient forage to graze. So many others have battled devastating grasshoppers and Mormon crickets, this year, stripping the land of suitable livestock feed. Now with humble hearts, we pray for safety and saving rains, as we enter the height of range fire season. Others are already deeply in battled against the flames.
Half of our current grazing allotment, is dotted with small, earthen, catch ponds. These ponds were built years ago, to “catch” the spring rains, saving the lifesaving water for the late summer season. Some ponds house small springs, that manage to replenish the ponds thru fall. The local wildlife depend on these ponds for water. During these dry spells, the pronghorn and mule deer seem to congregate in the surrounding area, near the ponds. Various water fowl enjoy their refreshing properties, along with displaced reptiles and vibrant dragonflies. I can’t help but wonder how that first croaking frog stumbled upon this oasis, in the desert. He must have been truly lost, being miles from any large body of year around water source.
The other half of the grazing allotment has no water, during this time of year. Early in the spring, the lava rock formations hold shallow puddles of rain water. These have long gone dry, thus requiring us to trail cattle back to the more plentiful portion. There are large, portable, stock water tanks in place, but we are trying to strategically graze one area, before moving to the other end. The time is nearing when we will resort to hauling large, semi truck loads of livestock drinking water. Until then, we have a new, nightly routine.
We try to finish our daily projects about 6pm, each night. Nate then catches the chosen saddle horse of the evening, rotating so each horse receives a night off. Our most energetic cow dogs begin the adventure, excited and ready to help. Nate rides out in a cloud of dust, the horse hooves and numerous dog feet, stirring dry dirt into the desert night air. The little cowboys and I complete our night chores. Big W. pens his ducklings in a safe and secure wire cage. The sheep herd is brought closer to the house, offering protection from predators with our presence. The nurse cow is fed her custom grain ration, helping meet her special nutritional needs. Her three eager “orphan calves” come running as well. The nurse cow is new to our routine, still sometimes reluctant at her new mothering role. Her past life as a commercial dairy cow, left her ill prepared for triplets. She is beginning to fall in love with her adoring “children”.
After two hours, the little cowboys and I jump in the ranch pickup. With the horse trailer in tow, we begin the cowboy retrieval mission. We have packed bottles of cool water, snacks and flashlights. Near the end of the approximately 8 mile trip, we are first greeted by the loyal cow dogs. Their energetic personalities are now tired and thirsty. They stand in the middle of the gravel road, waiting and listening for the familiar sound of the ranch pickup. Everyone is covered with dust in the dim light. The saddle horse is anxious for the rewarding trailer ride home. The cool breeze blowing in the sides of the trailer, headed for his welcoming pile of hay. Nate and the cow dogs drink up the cool water, clearing their throats of desert dirt. We all crowd in the single cab pickup, cow dogs in the trailer and on the pickup bed.
We head home in the darkness, discussing the events of the evening. These are precious moments for us. No distractions, just our crazy little family in the cool night air. The desert is quiet, the darkness of the sky enhances the bright stars. The erratic jack rabbit sprints across the road in front of our vehicle. It’s as if they are late for an important date, not able to wait for us to pass. Their urgency is almost comical. Once home, it is an explosion of little cowboys, cow dogs, saddle horse and rider. The animals are fed and put away. We hurry off to bed, contemplating the events of the next day.