Indian Springs Wash ride

/ Ashley Wingert / 2 Comments
Did a really fun ride up near Bartlett Lake on Saturday. It was my first time up there and it has some absolutely gorgeous scenery. Bonus points for being able to ride down to the lake to let the horses drink and sponge them off. (See, we do have water in Arizona…you just have to know where to look and how to get to it.)
banana yucca

first view of the lake

Barb on Junior in the lead, Clydea on Ash, me on Clydea’s
horse Pepe providing the ear cam shot

And I came home to find my ducklings learning to play “king of the hill” on the rock next to the pond. Now Mama is onto the game and she sits on top of the rock while they cluster at the base.

and a duckling update

/ Ashley Wingert / 3 Comments

Photos taken at Day 9, so three days ago. If you’re facebook friends with me, these are the same ones I posted there.

Lining up to go hit the fresh chow. 

They know me as “the food lady” now. They’re still wild and somewhat skittish, which is good. I don’t want them turning tame and deciding to set up a permanent residence in the backyard. They’re adorable, but definitely getting to the “messy” stage.

found a bug!

they really get into their food

literally into it

They’re eating “meat bird crumbles” now, having graduated from non-medicated chick starter, but I’m still soaking it into a mash to make it easier for them to eat. (And at the rate they’re eating, I’m thinking it’s time to make it a little less easy for them to eat.)

just big enough to tippy-toe over the edge without going
tailfeathers-over-teakettle

family photo!

They’re really hard to get good photos of in lousy light, because they move so quick. So even though they’re fuzzy, they still give a good idea of their antics.

duckling dervish

the lilies are looking a little worse for the wear

And I shot these this afternoon, day 12:

Mama took them on safari around part of the yard

They went on walkabout around the yard this afternoon. Mama is kind of antsy some days — she picked a yard that the only way in and out is to fly over the 7′ tall block wall. Her instincts tell her to move the babies…but they’re not going anywhere until at least 50 days, when they’ll be feathered out enough to fly. However, being “stuck” in our yard isn’t exactly a hardship. And they certainly won’t get regular meals anywhere else.

 
smart ducklings pause and rest in the shade

the one on the right nabbed a bug

SO inquisitive

Their bills are growing now, and starting to look a little awkward for their faces. They’re still adorable, but I think we’re heading into “awkward teenager” phase fairly soon.

streeeeeetch

They’re really good at stretching while laying down. I think they grow a little bit more with every stretch.

prowling the backyard

Dear Ariat

/ Ashley Wingert / 6 Comments

Stop making really spiffy things that I love and then discontinuing them, only to replace them with a higher-dollar substitute I don’t like as well.

The most obvious case-in-point of this would be the ever-popular Terrain Half Chaps. By the time I wanted to jump on the bandwagon and get a pair, they were all sold out and discontinued in the size I would need (which is Small Short, preferably…Small might work). The replacement, the Volant XT, is double the price and I don’t like the look of them nearly as well as the original Terrain half chaps. Spanish topline? For endurance? Are you kidding me?

I’ve also got a pair of these Ariat Duma sneaker/Terrain things that I really like. Too bad they’re about 6 or 7 years old now and I’m forced to limit the amount that I use them, lest they wear out, since they don’t make them anymore. They’re really similar to the original Terrain boot, only lighter weight and really ventilated.

Anyone want to help me petition to bring back the shoes and the Terrain half chaps?

Horse Show Mom

/ Ashley Wingert / 1 Comment

On today, Mother’s Day, I would like to use this space and time to thank my extraordinary mother for her contributions to my life.

It’s one thing for a mother to support her child in their chosen activity of choice…it’s another to hand-feed said child’s pony orange Gatorade during horse shows.

can we say ‘spoiled pony’?

My mom has worn many, many hats, and “Horse Show Mom” is just one of them. And I couldn’t have asked for a better one during my time int he show ring. She made sure my numbers were pinned on straight, my chaps were centered, my hair was done, and myself and pony pony hydrated and well-fed.

You could call her my original endurance crew. :) 
In case you’re getting the impression the pony
was more spoiled than me, that’s not actually the
case. The pony just makes a better photo subject
than me doing the tug-of-war with my tall boots.

And while Mom doesn’t eat, sleep, and breathe horsehair the way some people (me) do, she was there at every single show. And when Dad and I started distance riding, she was there for us in helping with pre-ride food shopping and prep, taking care of the dogs and house while we were away, and still providing the best moral support I could ask for in whatever direction I’ve gone.

Happy Mother’s Day to my role model, support system, and friend. Thank you for everything.

and now for something completely different…

/ Ashley Wingert / 2 Comments

In a departure from our usual subject matter, I give you…

DUCKLINGS!!!

Last month, we had a wild Mallard duck come in and scope out our backyard for a nesting location. Given our solid concrete block walls, fish pond, and complete lack of four-legged animal life in the yard, it obviously was a very appealing spot.

Easter Sunday, she laid her first egg.

This past Saturday evening, she hatched out TEN lil’ ducklings. They were all hearty and vigorous from the start, and now, three days later, they’re even more vigorous, have ravenous appetites, and are thoroughly enamored with the pond.

I’m currently supplementing them with a duckling/non-medicated chick starter as extra food, since there’s not enough in the pond for ten little ones plus Mama. They’ve caught on to the food thing very quickly.

“Mama Q” [Quacker] is very protective and watchful of her babies. She herds them into the nest and hisses at me when I go out to change their food/water (gratitude, huh?), and this morning, I watched her jump out of the pond and attack a blackbird who swooped in too close.

watchful Mama

so earnest…right before he attacked the lily blossom

part of the Crew…near impossible to get all 10 in one photo
out of the water and over to the chow

eat…swim…poop…
lather, rinse, repeat
Mama shows them how to eat…they were fast studies

lil’ one in the middle poses for the camera

Hello there!

I’m going to enjoy watching these little guys grow up. They’re here for the next 50 days, approximately, until they can fly, since we have 7’+ block walls surrounding our yard. Still…not a bad place to be stuck. :)