Bufflehead on the James, 2008
Over the weekend I heard my father-in-law say, “I’m going upstairs to work on my sweaters.” I noticed my husband took a cue from his dad and has pulled all his own winter clothes down from the attic.
This morning, I could see my breath. As I drove across the James, I saw the river’s foggy breath, too. Even just a week or two ago, the coonhound and I were wading in the James and crawling over rocks. Now, all of a sudden folks are working on their sweaters!
So. We’ve arrived at the real end or beginning that is for me not marked by fall or winter, but more by the official good-bye to summer and changing of the birds. The goldfinches are clinging to susans elsewhere from here. The juncos will probably show up en masse any minute.
And best of all, the bufflehead will come to their winter home on our river. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology calls the bufflehead, “the smallest diving duck in North America.” Today my daughter and I will start our [ok, my] daily river watch for the sweet, tiny duck that lives here from November until about February.
To learn more about the bufflehead visit the Cornell Lab’s All About Birds site:http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/bufflehead/id
Bufflehead Duck, James River, Winter 2008
Posted in Birds | Tagged Birds, bufflehead, james river | 2 Comments »
Dressage Ring at Riverfield Show, Campbell Springs Farm
Riverfield Equestrian put on a great short-course eventing and dressage show at Campbell Springs Farm in Chesterfield today. The cooperative, mild-for-July weather kept horses and riders happy all morning, and the show was so well-run! The organizers and volunteers had a smile and support for everyone. The XC judges could not have been more supportive and helpful, and the dressage judge made time to write constructive and instructive insight for her riders. The magnificent wooded setting at Campbell Springs really was the cherry on top.
Cross Country Field
My daughter took two horses in two different divisions. Her friend, Caroline, and I alternated playing groom to help her make her rides on time. First thing this morning, she rode a very obedient and willing Haflinger in the Elementary level.
Opie on deck
Warming up for XC
Mid-morning, she hopped on a powerful little Connemara mare for the Beginner Novice level. Both horses took good care of her, and she of them.
Riddle's and Judith's dressage test
Woo-hoo
Riverfield Equestrian will host three more shows in this short-course series: August 16, October 25, and November 21 – all at Campbell Springs Farm. If you can, come out and ride at a beautiful equestrian facility in a show run by friendly people who love horses and eventing. http://www.campbellspringsfarm.com/
A super Saturday
Posted in Showing | Tagged Connemara, cross country, dressage, English riding, eventing, Haflinger, Horses, riding | 2 Comments »
Albert and I shared an apple this morning – a perfectly crisp Gala from Washington State. It was such an unseasonably cool morning that I think neither of us wanted to be anywhere but right where we were: looking out over his gate, across the hilly fields, and listening to the cat, the girls, the swallows racing around the barn.
After a few minutes of poll-scratching, he just leaned against me, and that one eyelid he’s got left started drooping and drooping. His head dropped; he drooled a little bit. Then, he gave it up.
It reminded me of when I used to watch my daughter resist sleeping at nap time. Nothing beats having your horse or your kid fall asleep in your arms. Or in Albert’s case – on my arm, actually.
Posted in Albert, Our Horses | Tagged Albert, Appaloosa, horse poll, Horses, horses sleep standing up | 1 Comment »
