Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Ditch Bank Discoveries


The Horned Locusts have really gone to town in the North Valley...


The Elm has been a great big hit!


 Several large Elms were downed over the weekend from the massive pre-east-coast-tornado winds... 
The goats made quick work of the trail blocking branches...


 After a few turns through the blockage was all but forgotten...


 The herd has the tendency to uncover all manner of things under old and overgrown weeds.

Thick greenery tends to cover over history and all type of stories...


This dead cat was not so thrilling a find.


 Normally we work in residential areas where the type of treasures uncovered are a tennis ball, old tools...toys... Though it reminds me of the transient's bodies that have begun to be uncovered in bosques and besides the trail (like the cat)...
GoatScaping is a great way to prevent these kinds of festering bodies from floating down rivers and into reservoirs during the monsoons...


GoatScape.
You would be surprised what the weedy overgrowth holds onto.

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Looking Back, Looking Forward- From Volcanos to the Alameda

The Springtime is always a magical time, 
when the world turns green and blooms every color imaginable...


Moon Over Currents in Springtime...

 
And the elegant Pea Shrub...
Scenes from the Garden at SunStar...


The High Desert Bloom has been wonderful up high on this old Volcanic hill...


 I came upon these photos from a month or so ago... 
Had to share the beauty of working goats with my Mustang Dozer...


 Evening Primrose is perhaps my favorite flower... the hills are alive with its blooms this year!


 And the glorious scent...!


 We spent a lot of time up on this old volcano this spring... Lots of tasty plants and luscious views!


 And the Vervain! 
Weeks ahead of the lowerlands...


 And yet the Scorpion weed blooms was weeks behind...


 I have not seen many of these yellow flowers before.. 
just one of the many many oddities seen taking advantage this year after last year's heavy fall rains



 Doz was not altogether impressed with being "pretty"... Chopo has the same attitude..!
But he does like to smile for the camera...


The Wild Onions are also well off this year..


The patient Dozer in park...


Ah, the views from this hill are incredible...


 Hard work climbing, but the goats seem to do just fine!


Selfie! 
A bit cheesy, but I had to get this shot of my wild partner and our big shiny black eyes...
 

And they are off!
After an interesting few days wrangling goats for the crew from NYU (current and post students) filming a movie with a few of our goaties in Madrid and out on our land (watch for the inevitable coming blog post on Movie Goats!), the herd has taken to the road again...
 

 And back to the lovely community of Alameda

 

From beside the ditch in Alameda I blog today about the pretty past and imagine the scenes of the fantastic future...

 
(Clearing the Hiking Path after windfallen trees blocked the way over the weekend... Bring in the Goats!)
((Educational Outreach AKA pro bono weeding))


Monday, April 28, 2014

EarthDay in Santa Fe 2014: Pony Up!


Earth Day in Santa Fe was a big hit with the little ones!
Doonie and Pecos had a great time with all the little kids and were honored to carry them around all day. These two mares are so conscious of the young ones, and are as careful as they are around puppies and newborn goats (VERY!).


We hadn't anticipated the many pony rides that we would be providing, but the overwhelming desire the youngsters had to take their first steps in the saddle was more than enough for us and our ponies to make those rides happen...


Many bigger kids got to ride for the first time too... and a couple girls with a bit more experience took the mares out around the circle on their own a few times too! 
All in a day's work for these Horned Locust Goat Ponies!


Two and three-year-olds waited for up to 20 minutes for their turn around on a pony... these older girls waited a couple hours... all report the wait was well worth it...





Back on the the riverside the day came to a beautiful close with a most fantastic sunset rainbow! 

 
Gorgeous!


























Friday, April 25, 2014

Celebrate with Horned Locusts this Earth Day Weekend!


The Horned Locusts are preparing for a great BIG weekend.
They will be making tracks and an appearance in Santa Fe at the Earth Day Celebration across from the Farmers Market at the Railyard Park...


Come out and meet a few of the crew!
The ponies Doonie and Pecos will be there as well as Curly the LGD (and her pup "Pistol" who will be moving up to Camino De Paz to serve and protect the School's mama and baby goats)... 
And Valentino, the adorable Aussie/Maremma cross puppy...


Guppy and her daughter, Shadoe, will also be available for pets...


Also, Of Course! A few goats!
We will be promoting backyard dairygoat keeping with an emphasis on GoatWalking!
Come learn how to feed your goaties on the earth, by helping the earth!
 

Learn what dogs are helpful and how horses are a Life (and leg) Saver!


Keep your dial set to KSFR's Gardens Food and Santa Fe at 10am when Amanita Thorp and Poki Piottin from Gaia Gardens will be talking on the show with Bob Ross about farmyard critters and their keeping...




 THEN: On Sunday we will be at Nob Hill BLOCK PARTY celebrating the earth with the folks at La Mantanita Co-op... Come down and rock out to the bands all day and meet all manner of folks who wish the world the best there is to offer...



Hope to see you all there!