Plata and Diamond
Pat’s mare Plata did not foal in June with the other mares. She is an older mom, and took her time. Maeve called, saying, “Grandpa–Plata had a filly and she is black with a diamond on her forehead!” Pat asked Maeve what she wanted to name the baby and she said “Diamond.”
sunset over Ute Creek
We are in New Mexico, visiting our great good friends, Jack and Tuda Crews. Several years ago (can it be 15?!), they left Wyoming and moved to Bueyeros, New Mexico, where Tuda’s family has ranched for many generations. The Ute Creek Ranch has been recognized for its conservation practices, including the New Mexico Society for Range Management Excellence in Range Management award. Tuda and Jack have vastly improved their range and their riparian areas, in spite of many years of drought.
Pat, Jack and Tuda look at the Aqua Balls on their watering tank
The Aqua Balls reduce evaporation by 91 percent. This saves 16,000 gallons of groundwater in a year, at this tank alone. The tank is windmill driven and also provides water for wildlife.
Each watering tank on The ranch has an overflow pond, which provides bird habitat.
St. Francis overlooks the ranch headquarters, and the Tuda Libby Crews Wild Bird Sanctuary.
Northern New Mexico used to have lots of sheep, but these were the only ones we could find.
Here’s the baled hay in the Upper Smylie, framed by the remnants of the old beaver slide.
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Ladder Ranch