Another Chance Ranch

A Welcome Visitor

Our first Horny Toad this year. 

This little guy was wandering around the pens while I was working out last night.  I was so happy to see him.  When we were kids, we used to chase after these guys and caught most of them.  We would do exactly what I did last night, put them in a shoe box and cut holes in the lid.  That way we could gawk at him/her all we wanted.  As kids we would make their shoe box a place of luxury for them.  There would be grass and a little water, we even added bugs when we could - not knowing if they really ate those bugs or not.   But we thought we were really taking care of them.  They never stayed in the box for more than a day.  After we showed them off, we let them go.  That is exactly what I did last night.

I left him in the shoebox just long enough to 1) blind him with my flash, and 2) let McD see his little endangered self.  I told McD where I found him and he took him back to that same area. 

The funny thing about taking this little horny toad's photo is that everytime I moved the camera it would turn his head toward me.  It was a cutey. 

A Pleasant Surprise

Last Sunday on our way home from Creede, this is what we saw.  Approximately 60 elk were grazing along side the highway.  There were two rather large bull elk and about 5 other smaller bulls.  I think the fog adds a little something to the photo.  It really was a beautiful sight.

Road Hazards

While on our way home from Creede last time this is what we found on the side of the road.  Actually, what caught our attention were the two vehicles pulled over on the side of the highway.  There was a white suburban with one of its passengers standing on top of it with either a camera or binoculars.  The other vehicle was pulled over and the passengers just looking out the window, if you are wondering it was a red Grand Am, 4 door.  I can remember silly little things like that.

We were passing those vehicles mumbling something about they probably see a buffalo or something.  Yadayadayada.  Then I glance over and see the bear.  "STOP! It's a bear," I yelled.  McD pulled over quickly.  He loves bears!  I am shaking while I am trying to get my camera out.  Then, I have to change lenses.  I don't think I am ever prepared.  I am standing out on the side of the road watching for the bear because he had gone over a small hill.  The antelope were running everywhere.  They must have caught wind of this big guy and were getting the you know what out of dodge.  Finally, I tell him that I  am going to have to get on top of the Jeep if I want to get any shots of this guy.  He didn't want me to.  Why?  I dunno.  I took probably 25 photos, after I got on top of the Jeep.  :)  You didn't think I was just gonna stand on the side of the road did you?  I even had him cruising on the shoulder of the road while I was on top of the car.  We were going slow.  Yes, I know how dangerous it is.  But there was a bear on the side of the road.  This is only the second bear I have seen out in the open.  (Not counting zoos.)

This second photo is one I was playing with in Photoshop.  I Y Photoshop!  Anyway, I thought this shot looked good as a watercolor.  What do you think?

I guess I should say that we were about 100 yards from the bear.  We were at a safe distance.  I wanted to cross the fence and get a little closer, but McD put his foot down on that one.  He said he would go but I couldn't.  How much sense does that make?  I am the one with the camera.