We are so high tech out here on the range. Can’t get good enough cell service to talk long, but I can receive texts. Pete found an owl nest underneath a wooden bridge across an irrigation ditch, and sent me a text message. I arrived at the bridge only to flush the female Great Horned …
Author: Cat Urbigkit
Guardian behavior
As we finish up week five of sheep camp, I’m going to share some livestock protection dog (LPD) behavior that I find fascinating. I’ve been out in camp amid western Wyoming’s sagebrush sea with the lambing herd since May 1, with three LPDs, two guardian burros, and a herding dog. Every two weeks we move …
Sheep camp, week 4
It’s been another week of frequent rain and snow, but lambing is going gangbusters, and most lambs are doing really well. The vast majority of lambs do not need my assistance, but it is easier to warm up a cold lamb than it is to cool down a hot lamb, so I prefer this cool …
Sheep camp, week 3
Lambing is in full swing now, but here’s a short review, in pictures, of the week.This pronghorn buck is our constant companion. We don’t know why, but he hangs out with the herd, and follows Rena and I around a lot. The guardian dogs do not stay together, but greet each other a few times …
Name me
This rock is the westernmost point of the “coyote rocks” on our lambing ground, and as you can see, is a very interesting character. Sadly, it does not have a name. Accepting suggestions now.
Sheep camp, week 2
This is what it’s all about for me: beautiful sage, happy sheep, and good guardians.
Sheep camp, week 1
The photo above is the view out my sheep camp door. I’m home for a few hours to take care of some paperwork and grab a shower, then back to sheep lambing camp in the Big Sandy country of western Wyoming. This is the first year I’ve gone to such a remote location for lambing. …
Updates
I have two great personal items to report. First, this will be my last post for a while – I am moving onto my lambing ground for the next few months to stay with the herd and to work on another book. I’m planning for both relaxation and wild adventures. Husband Jim will be monitoring …
My pygmy neighbor
When not out with the sheep, Rant has been curled up next to the shed the last few days, while Rena has been “guarding” the pipe rabbit habitat, which consists of stacks of fencing supplies and pipe, and miscellaneous equipment. Today when I came around the corner of the shed, I saw a pygmy rabbit …
Morning light
I uploaded bigger versions of these photos for those who like to admire early morning light. If you click on a photo, it will take you to a larger view. I am fully aware that few of my photos are technically correct, but hopefully what I lack in expertise, I make up for in subject …