Meanwhile, back at the ranch

[labelwench]

She stepped out to give the horses their midnight feed, her shadow dissecting the circle of light that arced from the back door light. The air was still and had the feel of change about it, a welcome relief from the harsh cold of the past weeks.

As she neared the first pen, she noted that the occupant was not watching her approach. The graceful overo-dun pinto was visibly distressed, pacing and circling her agitation before halting abruptly, and bugling a snort of alarm. Stiff and still, she stood, neck and head held high, ears pointed in the direction of her concern.

In the front pen, she heard the two Morgan mares milling and bumping each other, undecided on a course of action. Shining her headlamp beam against the darkness, she could not discern the colt in his customary place.

Horses and rider were not alone in the darkness this night.

[mkirkpatrick]

She stepped out to give the horses their midnight feed, her shadow dissecting the circle of light that arced from the back door light. The air was still and had the feel of change about it, a welcome relief from the harsh cold of the past weeks.

As she neared the first pen, she noted that the occupant was not watching her approach. The graceful overo-dun pinto was visibly distressed, pacing and circling her agitation before halting abruptly, and bugling a snort of alarm. Stiff and still, she stood, neck and head held high, ears pointed in the direction of her concern.

In the front pen, she heard the two Morgan mares milling and bumping each other, undecided on a course of action. Shining her headlamp beam against the darkness, she could not discern the colt in his customary place.

Horses and rider were not alone in the darkness this night.

Is this leading towards a nightmare tale?Thanks labelwench
your thread title reminds me of the many western films I saw in the fifties.

regards michael.

[labelwench]

A dark area has limited light sources, making things hard to see. Exposure to alternating light and darkness (night and day) has caused several evolutionary adaptations to darkness. When a vertebrate, like a human, enters a dark area, its iris dilates, allowing more light to enter the eye and improving night vision.

The scientific definition of light includes the entire electromagnetic spectrum, not just visible light, so it is scientifically impossible to create perfect darkness. For example, all objects radiate heat in the form of infrared light and gamma rays, extremely high frequency light, can penetrate even dense materials.[3]

Compliments of Wikipedia

[labelwench]

Horses and rider were locked in a primal moment, their emergency response systems of "fight or flight" fully engaged.
As she felt the surge of adrenalin entering her system, the rider fought to keep her mind under control.

"I've been hanging around horses for too long now," she thought to herself. "I'm starting to behave like one, startling at the drop of a hat, and suspicious of anything new."

She flicked off her headlamp, allowing her night vision to adjust.

"There is nothing to fear save fear itself." Words she had learned at her grandfather's knee, she repeated like a mantra, slowing her heart and breath, directing the power of the adrenalin to her senses of hearing and smell, while she scanned the darkness ahead.

The narrow trail afforded a poor escape route, bounded on each side by the unseasonably deep snow.

She remained still and observant, no prey species now.

She was the huntress, evaluating present circumstances.

[austintorn@aol.com]

"Uh-oh, I hope it's not an alien landing party."

[labelwench]

The horses in the front pen had stopped their milling about, reassured by her presence between themselves and the object of their concern. This in itself, was of some comfort to the woman.

The pinto mare had not moved a hoof, although she had let out one more warning snort. No sound of movement or vocalization from her colt, however.

Standing in the dark, eyes now fully adjusted to the dim, she could actually determine more than when her eyes were assaulted by the contrast of the headlight beam, reflecting off the snow, the structures and the bordering boreal forest.

By the horses behavior, she was quite certain that the nocturnal visitor was not human, more probable that she was in the company of wildlife.

It was the latter part of February in the Yukon. What species of concern to a horse, was she likely to be dealing with? Was this an appropriate time to move forward and ascertain the well-being of her favorite boy-child, or would she be better to withdraw and return with reinforcement or armament?

She looked to the horses once more, for guidance in this matter.

[labelwench]

The horses were concerned, but not in total panic. She decided to proceed with caution.

Noting the direction of Chellums gaze and stance, the woman took a few steps up the train, still in the dark. From this slightly changed angle, she could see the hayshed adjoining Kinnick's pen and run-in shelter.

All was dark, but where she should be able to see a slight reflection from the metal siding of the shed, one part seemed even darker.

She took three more steps forward and abruptly switched on her headlamp, playing the beam only on the darkest shadow. Within seconds, there was a reflection of light from about six feet above the compacted snow. Blue irises reflect red light, while brown ones reflect a luminous green. This was a rather large greenish eye, singular in profile, so a prey species rather than a predator.

The creature, startled by the light and her approach, offered to depart along the fenceline and she was able to ascertain that this was a young bull moose. There had been one hanging around a subdivision 10 km away and the folks had named the fellow "Elliot".

Waiting until there was a respectful distance between the moose and herself, the woman proceeded up to Kinnick's pen, calling his name. A sturdy young dark brown stallion came running down from the upper corner of the paddock, whuffling and blowing his appreciation at the rescue. Although a fence had separated the two creatures, Moose are amazingly capable jumpers.

The deep snow was forcing Elliot and other wildlife to seek easier paths of travel and forage. This particular young male moose had been around these parts for two winters now, first with his mother and her two calves from the season before and now as a solitary male. As it was against the firearms ordinance to fire a rifle within a kilometre of a dwelling, this young fellow may actually have stumbled upon a survival strategy in co-habiting in the vincinity of persons who lived a rural lifestyle.

[dolly]

The possible survival strategy assertained by Elliot (co-habiting in close proximity of humans provides security), was at first deceptively comforting. You know that whole idea of mankinds possible positive possibilities. The riders mind quickly turned to mmm... in a few short years your gonna be tasty. Few things are as delectable as a moose T-bone prepared on an open fire. Not to mention the various other cuts i.e. roasts, tongue, ribs, not to mention moose salami yu um!

The rider quickly apologized to herself for her momentary digression from the immediate plight. If this shadowy figure was indeed Elliot (creature of prey) discouraging his presence would be the course of action. Presence of prey begets presents of predator.

[/INDENT]PEACE

[labelwench]

As a matter of fact, my siblings and I were raised in Northern B.C. and our diet was comprised of wild game and garden veggies. When I told my Mother about the young bull, she was suggesting I fatten it up, LOL.

You are most correct about the concerns of wildlife becoming too habituated with humans. Bulls can be quite aggressive during their rut or mating season and a cow moose with her young is as much to be feared as a bear with cubs.

Another species of nuisance wildlife of late has become foxes.
People think they are cute and start feeding them, out of hand even, and soon they are hanging around everywhere in the hopes of a handout.

There are a couple around here that have taken to chewing on my electrical cords that I use to heat the horse's water trough. I have had four 100 foot cords nipped through this year. I did not mind the foxes drinking from the trough, as I know that avoiding dehydration is a challenge for all wildlife during our cold winters. Then the rascals began to urinate on and into the tank, fouling the water.

These types of antics never occurred prior to certain folks hand-feeding, naming and domesticating the last four generations that reside in this area.

I have resorted to carrying water in buckets to my four horses, which is a little more work and time, but is likely saving me considerable coin in electrical bills, so maybe I should appreciate that aspect.

In closing, some friends down the road had wolves chase a caribou right into the midst of their stable yard a few years ago, causing a great deal of excitement.

Great to hear from you, Dolly, and as time goes on, I hope to post a variety of short stories about life in a northern town.

Best regards,
Labelwench

[austintorn@aol.com]

I always wanted a dog when I was a kid, so I kind of hesitated when my brother invited me to come along to a duck catching contest, saying, “If we catch a duck in a pond then we get to keep it.”

“I don’t really want a duck for a pet,” I answered.

“They’re great; they eat bread from you and swim around and maybe you can even take it for a walk.”

“I don’t know how great that would be; it will probably fly away.”

“Aw, come on.”

“OK.”

Well, everyone was swimming and flapping around in the water trying to catch a duck, but no one was even getting close to them; however, my brother was a smart guy and se he dove underwater to try to catch a duck from underneath, and amazingly he did, presenting the duck to me.

I was rather underjoyed as I carried the duck towards home, for it was quacking and getting mad at me, trying to bite me.

Then I had a great idea; I went into the pet store and traded it for a dog.