Greetings From Willow Springs Guest Ranch!
Report from Willow Springs
January11, 2010
The Taming of Number 36
All of our cows have cute little pentagonal ear tags with numbers on them. This helps us keep track of the production of each cow with each subsequent calf since the youngster is given the identical number on an identical little tag at birth. The quality of that calf can be assessed and can be attributed to a specific mother, thus allowing us to retain the best producers. When we refer to the cattle in the specific, it is, "Number 90 looks like she might calve this week," or, "That number 86 cow sure was spunky when we fed this morning!" Not, "Helen was a bit off her feed," or "Danielle is huge! Do you suppose she's carrying twins?" Also it helps keep a bit of distance emotionally between us and the ultimate sirloin steak.
So when Keith mentioned Number 36 and how mean she was when she had a new calf and how he wished she was a little less psychotic as a mother, and how he was not looking forward to another hassle with her when he tried to vaccinate and ear tag her 2010 offspring, I knew which cow he meant: a big black water-buffalo of a a cow with just a smidgeon of white hair frosting her forehead. And I also knew what I was going to do: make Number 36 a personal project. A quest to turn a cantankerous cow into a "companion cow", a "beatific bovine", a "mellow mother".
Every winter I hand-feed a few select animals while Keith gets the big 3/4 ton hay bales ready for distribution from the back of the wagon. Number 90 is always the first to approach. Several years ago she proved herself to be not only brave, but gentle as she stepped from the herd to snuffle, then ultimately sample the sweet green hay I was offering from my outstretched hand. As the weeks passed she became bolder, was the first to greet us as the big wagon and tractor pulled into the lower pasture. Good old Number 90! She even allowed a fleeting pat to her face. "Sure, she's nice enough now, but wait until she has her calf," Keith cautioned. Less than a month later Number 90 parted from the herd with a little Number 90 tottering after her. "Be careful!" I was warned. And within minutes I had a ravenous, post-birthing cow literally "eating out of my hand". Even though it took nearly a month to coax Number 90 Junior to join mom, I eventually won over the calf too. Since then I have added some 10 - 12 other cows to the list of hand-feeders. but not Number 36.
The challenge is out there, the gauntlet thrown down. To date with little more than a month and a half, two at most, until calving, my quest to turn a fractious momma cow into a tractable one will be brief. So far I have managed to slip her a few stems of hay and whether it's true or not, I believe I can see her eye getting softer, her manner improving. The truth, of course, will come soon enough. In the meantime it gives my mornings focus and something for Keith to chuckle over. And at least for now Number 36 is enjoying the attention.
Stay tuned.
March 7, 2010
Ranch Wintertime Routines
Routines of ranch life start early. Most mornings we are up while it is still dark. Often this time of year there is birdsong to greet us rather than an angry alarm clock. We peek outside to see what kind of day it is going to be. If there is sun, it's a good day. If there is no sun, it's still a good day.
First order of business is getting the animals fed. Keith heads down to the barn lot just at daybreak; I follow a few minutes later. Somebody has to stay and pet the cat! When I hear the tractor start up, I'm out of the house, bundled to the brows, and moving in the general direction of the feeding area. Keith has already taken care of "the boys" -- our four bulls who have spent the winter isolated from "the girls" -- and the chickens. I help throw flakes of hay to the horses and we are off to take care of the cows. Misty, the ranch dog, loads up on the bale wagon as do I and we are on our way.
The meadow where the cows and calves are fed is just 1/2 mile away. They are all waiting for us as we arrive. Several are hand-feeders in that they have set aside their fear of humans for the sake of a really nice bit of hay, which they take warily but happily from my hand. I've even gotten so I can scritch #90 on her head and shoulders while she eats. She is the tamest of the bunch. My project with #36 (see January 11 above) was not successful. When she had her calf she was just as cantankerous as she always was. Maybe next year.
This morning we saw a number of deer as we headed back toward the ranch headquarters. They are getting to look a bit like unmade beds, their fur starting to transition to a sleeker coat. They bounced away right across the road from our gate, giving us one last look over their scruffy shoulders. When we turned in and before we reached the barn lot, we were treated to the sight of a bluebird sitting on the fence. The killdeers came back last weekend and just Thursday I heard the sand hill cranes crying their way north, so it is truly on its way to spring.
I happened to think that routines are often referred to as "ruts". Things done over and over with no chance for change. We think of our routines, our ruts here on the ranch as opportunities. Because each day is a true joy and, really, one man's rut is another man's treasure. Don't you think?
Here's hoping this newsletter finds you blessed with your own routines and heading for spring where ever you are!
May 16, 2010
It's Spring! Maybe
The thing about spring in this part of Oregon is you never want to get in a hurry. Kind of matches the laid-back pace of Lake County. There will be a couple of nice days, then snow. Then a couple more blips of blue skies, then gray. In other words, you can plant your peas. Just don't expect them to come up right away! Well, it must be spring or at least very close because the peas are up and thriving! As are all the returning birds and waterfowl. The old juniper by our dining room is once again playing host to several species: starlings, orioles, blackbirds, jays, and some townsend solitaires. We have geese nesting in the rimrocks, the sandhill cranes are nesting just down the road, and the ducks are making themselves right at home in the creek that runs through the ranch. All in all, a good lot of wildlife to see. No fawns yet, but like spring, they must be on their way. A reminder: if you come to the ranch this year, bring a pair of binoculars and a camera! You won't want to miss a thing. News around the ranch headquarters is typical. We have a setting hen that we plan to let "adopt" chicks soon. We just slip them under her at night and voila! she has babies. Since we have no rooster and prefer to raise hens only, this is our chosen method and it seems to make the momma chicken and us happy. The new cat is working out well. She's a bob-tail Siamese and is practicing her hunting skills on bugs. We hope she transfers those skills, once perfected, to the occasional rodent that likes to prey on our garden. There is a new horse in our paddock -- a nice quarter horse gelding who has seen many a trail and should be a great addition to our regular string of guest mounts. His name is "Auto" and he is busy getting to know all the regulars. Ranch Dog Misty is ready for her duties as official greeter in 2010. She had a good winter and is looking forward to being invited on trail rides or other ranch chores. Like most Border Collies, she lives to serve. And to be petted. Well, since this is one of those bright days that is a harbinger of even better weather to come, I'm going out to plant a few more rows of veggies. Those peas need company! Here's hoping this newsletter finds you blessed with your own routines and heading for spring where ever you are!
July 16, 2010
8-Mile
The stretch of road from Hwy 140 to our little piece of paradise is eight miles long. It is gravel and in the winter not for the faint of heart. But in the spring, summer, and fall it is quite a lovely drive that affords a wonderful glimpse of local wildlife "in full bloom". This time of year there are, of course, the babies. The mule deer are parading their speckled young to and from the creeks that flow under and by the road. They are most readily seen in the early morning hours and again just before dark. In the meadows closest to the eastern end of the road are the pronghorn antelope. If the viewer is lucky, he or she may see twins and even on occasion (rare) triplets. These little guys are born running as they are a highly favored snack on the predators' lists. Many survive and in a few weeks are strong and fleet and beyond the ability of most coyotes, which are their main concerns. The migratory birds are also in abundance on our little piece of road. Ducks, geese, white-faced ibis, the silky feathered egrets, kestrels, magpies, bluebirds -- there are so many it would be easier to get a bird book and record what you DON'T see! Around the house we have had several killdeer nests. Many of our guests have been treated to a parent feighting a broken-wing to distract threats to the nest, shuffling away from the nearly imperceptible nests hidden in the rocks. The eggs too are camoflauged in hues of grey-green and speckled to resemble the terrain in which they are laid. As I write there is one last nest just off the front of our dining room that contains three such eggs and a very constant momma bird. None of the cats nor the dog have found her and it should be only a few more days until her fuzzy chicks make their debut. It is this time of year with the renewal cycle in full swing that we most appreciate this life we've chosen. Living in harmony with the land and the seasons never grows old and we look forward to whatever each new day brings. Please, those of you who visit us this year, bring your cameras and your memories as you will be able to use both! Wishing you the best of seasons with good health and much happiness as we have here at Willow Springs!
Cookbook
For those of you that are interested in purchasing our cookbook that is mentioned in the article in the "Oregonian", "Songs of the Sagebrush, Recipies, Rhymes, and Reminiscences From Willow Springs Guest Ranch" you may email us using the link on this page. The price of the cookbook is $12.95 plus $2.50 for shipping and handling.
Patty and Keith Barnhart
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