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Tag Archives: Red Canyon Ranch

A snowy April day in Wyoming

Monday, 03 April 2017 12:02
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2016-12-11 10.49.03We woke this morning to find four inches of fresh snow covering the red cliffs, and forty-nine elk standing on the mountain slope in front of the house. We made coffee and sat in front of the window to watch them peacefully graze down the mountain to the creek below.  As we did, we could hear the buffalo calling to each other in the meadow.  They love cool spring mornings best of all.  There’s new green grass, but no biting flies yet.

Perfection is made of April mornings like this…

Hope you have a peaceful and perfect day!

Mike and Kathy

Autumn has arrived…

Monday, 05 September 2016 09:48
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2016-08-27 14.37.33  

Autumn in northern Wyoming is so peaceful. It’s a beautiful cool morning here, 46 degrees. Our chestnuts and aspens started to turn color a few days ago and are now shading red and gold. The buffalo love this time of year, as well. The biting flies begin to disappear, and the calves are big enough–300-400 pounds now–that they can pretty much take care of themselves against the mountain lions, wolves, and occasional bear that comes through.  We love this time of year.

Thanks to everyone who wrote to say how much they like the new PEOPLE OF THE SONGTRAIL cover and style.  We agree.  We’re really delighted with the new look.   And it was so much fun to write about early Vikings in North America.

SUN BORN, The second book in the PEOPLE OF THE MORNING STAR series, is due to be released in about a month.  We really hope you enjoy it.  Cahokia at it’s peak was truly an amazing city. 

We wish you all a happy and serene Autumn.

Mike and Kathy

 

 

LANGE IS GONE…

Thursday, 11 August 2016 12:18
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It’s always a sad day at Red Canyon Ranch when we lose an old, old friend. Our 26 year-old bison cow, Lange, died. Her best friend, Clover, and her daughter, Susie Q, did not leave her side through the entire quiet natural death. The mourning ritual for bison is fascinating and heartbreaking. The entire herd gathered around her and took turns licking her body. The herd did not leave her for ten hours, then finally they slowly moved away.

Other bison ranch’s slaughter older cows when they no long calve.  We do not.  Older animals play a vital role in the psychological health of the herd, and they pass on their knowledge to the younger animals in some amazing ways.  We’ve watched old cows lead sick young animals to the medicinal plants that will ease their pain.  Really.  Perhaps more importantly, older animals pass on bison culture, in much the same way the humans and elephants do, by teaching.  

Lange was a special and gentle old soul. We will miss her very much.

Lange at Red Canyon Ranch

Lange at Red Canyon Ranch

Mike and Kathy

Sandstone and extinctions

Monday, 23 March 2015 14:20
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2014-09-17 07.48.41It’s such a pretty day here.  We swear the Chugwater sandstone glows in spring sunlight.  The red color comes from its high iron content.  This particular sandstone dates to around 200 million years ago, right after the Permian extinctions (@250 million years ago) when 90% of all life on earth died.  The Chugwater tells geologists that Mother Earth was working hard to renew herself. 

Almost spring at Red Canyon Ranch, Wyoming

Saturday, 07 March 2015 15:45
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Well, the snow is almost all melted from the canyon ledges, and it’s turned out to be a gorgeous day here.  Almost feels like spring at Red Canyon Ranch.

 

Red Canyon Ranch, Wyoming

Red Canyon Ranch, Wyoming

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