BACK IN THE SADDLE

Finally, after what seems like an eternity of deep freeze and snow, I got to ride!! The sandy hill near Adrian wasn't too terribly muddy and when it was I was bale to just go around it. At the top there was still some snow but the footing wasn't treacherous like it had been. Thunder wasn't even bucky after two months of nothing to do. He was pretty high but much better than expected. You just never know how he is going to be when you swing your leg over and set your butt down in the saddle. Usually if the first 15 minutes goes well then I have it made.

And to top it off I got to ride two days in a row! That must mean that conditioning for the new year has begun. The sun came out to warm us and the snow was bright and glistened. It was just beautiful!

Riding for a lot of people is just an activity. But for me, riding is breathing. Without riding I just get depressed and unhappy. I walked every day all winter long which helped me retain some sanity. But it wasn't riding and time with my horse. But this weekend, I was able to be with nature again, appreciate the beauty, and just soak it all up with each breath. Hard to beat a good horse, sun, trail and the view of that gorgeous river. What a great weekend! God is good!

BIRDBRAIN

Meet Birdbrain, aka the wounded pigeon I brought home today. I think he is very pretty, has some very colorful feathers in that wet grey. The poor guy has blood on his wing and can't fly at all. He was floundering around in the ice and snow as the dogs went to investigate. A coyote would have made short work of him. For now he has food and water, shelter and is safe from predators. No bands or anything on his legs. I am going to try and find him a home and if nothing else, once he is all healed up turn him loose again.

Birds of a Feather

Nearly everyday Molly and I take our walk across the cornfield and along the edge of the marsh. The last few weeks we have seen very few birds other than a pheasant or two, perhaps a hawk. But the frozen marsh has been pretty quiet.

Today however was different. Perhaps it has been the sunny afternoons the last couple days with temperatures barely above freezing for an hour or two before the sun goes down.

As we strolled along the edge of icy ponds the afternoon sun cast long shadows across the snow. A hawk took flight and the sun cast a beautiful golden hue over his wings as he flew overhead. The awesome moment was breathtaking.

Farther along I could hear the birds singing and chirping. Little black capped snowbirds filled a couple small trees. One of the bigger trees had about 50 red-wing blackbirds all trilling and talking to each other. And there, in the middle of the tree surrounded by blackbirds was one lone red breasted robin! A Robin in January!!! "He must be lost!" I said to Molly who was busy sniffing out a mouse. I could hope it's a sign of an early spring but it is supposed to snow so scrap that thought!

A bit farther was another tree of blackbirds and another hawk. Along the creek we scared up four ducks and a blue heron. I haven't seen this many birds in nearly two months! And the hunters were out there yesterday so don't think that has anything to do with it.

It is so fun to listen to the birds, watch and appreciate them. By the time we head back home the sun is setting and temperature is quickly dropping. Could be the birds will start nesting soon and spring will surely return!