UPDATE 19 MAY 2014

We have been quite busy the last week or so.  Been looking at new and used campers to replace our 1989 Bigfoot.  We think we need a little more room (slideout) and larger holding tanks, and a few more modern conveniences.  On our way back from looking at one in Helena, we stopped by the ranch and picked up a new little kitty to replace our old barn cat May.  And we got a cutie let me tell you.  She already thinks she owns the place, just like most cats do.  Connie has been riding quite a bit and is starting to ride an English saddle for some of it.  She was also in a little riding program about getting your horse to do new things.  Kind of like an obstacle course except it is for the horse.  Spring is really here and the flowers are starting to bloom and the weeds are really starting to grow.

Lots of bees spreading the pollen around.

Last year we had only 4 blossoms on our apple tree.  This year it is just loaded.  And the plum trees are also full of blooms.

This is our new little kitten.  She is named "Dell" after the town of Dell, MT where we got her.

She is making herself at home and Zeph is her best friend.  She may not be his though.

Bill Cody is not to impressed with the obstacle course riding.  A little boring for him.

Just things to ride by and through.

And this look at me is "What am I doing here?  I am a cow horse and there are no cows here!!!!

But I will be a good boy and do what I am told.

This is called side passing over a pole.

And now she has to ride him over the obstacle.

This is a water obstacle and he drew the line at this.  If it is a creek I'll cross it he said, but ain't stepping in that thing.

Dell and Zeph are getting along better every day.

Just waking up from a nap.

ELK ARE STILL HANGING AROUND

Zeph started barking the other morning and we looked out the window to see a number of elk walking by.  Then yesterday he did the same thing and there were a couple of elk in our yard.  I ran and got my camera and took a few pictures off the upstairs deck.  Then yesterday evening a couple of deer were in the same spot almost.  They were eating the Arrowleaf Balsam Root flowers which is what the elk were eating.  Click to enlarge.

The elk are looking pretty ragged still.

OVER AT DELL

We went over to the ranch to help the Martinells artificially inseminate their yearling heifers.  The weather was not the best, but we got the job done.  Was good to see everyone over there. 

The morning started out pretty nice.

Then the clouds moved in and the snow came - mostly in the form of gropple snow.

Zeph taking a nap in the old cow manure.

The weather does not seem to bother the kids.

That is a lama with a sheep following it.  They have this lama with their sheep and have not lost any lambs from coyotes since they got him a few years ago.

Eight yearling replacement bulls also arrived when we were there.

They had to get their shots and branded.

The number 3 is branded on the right shoulder showing this bull was born in 2013.

The ranch "Club" brand is then put on the right hip.

The finished product.

This is one of the feed wagons they use to feed the cows. 
These bales are pitched off by hand with pitchforks.

This is the "Boardshed" where Connie and I spent a lot of time during the calving season years ago.

A squeeze chute where you could pull calves or suckle a newborn.

Jugs where you put new pairs.

They still have a few sheep around.  This pair of twins seems to be doing well.

Some of the ranch horses.

Connie with the youngest ranch hand, Keegan Tait. 

UPDATE 4 MAY 2014

We have been home here in the Bitterroot for nearly three weeks.  And we have been pretty busy as we always are this time of year, but it keeps us out of mischief.  Have not taken very many pictures and just have not updated the blog. 

The first Arrowleaf Balsamroot flower blooming last week.

Connie with her lapdog.  We were down in the arena with nephew Colton and a French exchange student Adrian letting them ride horses.  Doug and Rita are host family for Adrian who is spending a week in Montana.

Colton.

Adrian.

 It was fun watching Adrian smile so much at riding a horse.

A couple of eagles on top of an old hay stacker in the Sula Basin.