Splashy autumn colour, like the month of October itself is almost gone from the island and my mind remains as tangled with a myriad of thoughts as the burred tresses of the Ravenseyrie Sorraias. Since I seem incapable of focusing on which compelling topic to fuel my writer's energy into, I will forgo (again) an informative article for this month and instead throw up my October photos to the autumn winds and let them scatter before your eyes. You will see what a marvellous beguiler October can be! I find myself as enchanted by the subtler hues of late October as I was by the earlier weeks. The Ravenseyrie preserve does not get quite the spectacular colour that other regions of the island do, but it makes up for it with dramatic skies. And why don't I share a lovely poem by Robert Frost to compliment the images? Enjoy!
BY ROBERT FROST
O hushed October morning mild,
Thy leaves have ripened to the fall;
Tomorrow’s wind, if it be wild,
Should waste them all.
The crows above the forest call;
Tomorrow they may form and go.
O hushed October morning mild,
Begin the hours of this day slow.
Make the day seem to us less brief.
Hearts not averse to being beguiled,
Beguile us in the way you know.
Release one leaf at break of day;
At noon release another leaf;
One from our trees, one far away.
Retard the sun with gentle mist;
Enchant the land with amethyst.
Slow, slow!
For the grapes’ sake, if they were all,
Whose leaves already are burnt with frost,
Whose clustered fruit must else be lost—
For the grapes’ sake along the wall.
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| A lovely contrast of deep blue clouds and sun struck trees to the east |
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| Silvestre (Altamiro x Ciente) |
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| Young Sorraias stallions at Ravenseyrie |
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| Legado (Altamiro x Sovina's Zorita) |
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| Ousado (Altamiro x Bella) and Legado trot through a rain saturated grassland |
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| Altamiro (Ultrajado x Pompeiia), a.k.a. "Big Daddy", Ravenseyrie's magnificent foundation sire |
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| Altamiro and his young sons |
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| Silvestre |
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| All the grullo boys! |
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| Yours truly, having a picnic with the Ravenseyrie mares on the Twinravens range in Tehkummah |
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| After their treats, some of the mares enjoy a drink in the rainwater stream |
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| Pinoteia (Altamiro x Bella) reprimands Belina's filly |
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| Rija (Altamiro x Belina) shows a little defiance after Pinoteia's rebuke |
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| There are many apple trees on the Twinravens range - these are my favourite |
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| The mares enjoy foraging for drops from the apple trees |
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| Esperanda (Altamiro x Ciente) and Zorita (Sovina x Sulphur's Tia) looking for apples |
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| Such beauties! Pinoteia and Altavida (full sisters) with Fada just behind |
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| Another morning at Ravenseyrie. The bachelors come up from the east, full of high spirits. |
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| Young stallions are often sparring with each other for fun |
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| A nice Whitetail stag watches the stallions at play |
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| The Zen Elm with a dramatic sky behind |
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| The last Sandhill Crane |
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| As if saying "So long, see you next spring!", the last crane circled over me before leaving for good |
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| Just after the departure of the crane, a rainbow formed over the Zen Elm |
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| Dramatic light strikes into the northeast sector of Ravenseyrie |
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| I love living here! |
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| Excessive rain this October has waterlogged Kevin's market garden |
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| In between rain showers, Kevin salvages what potatoes he can...many have rotted |
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| Thankfully most of the potatoes survived the rain saturated soil |
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| The hand of an East Bluff potato farmer! |
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| Kevin...zen in the market garden |
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| An October glimpse from the Top of the World at Ravenseyrie |
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| The heaviest frost so far |
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| A very aged Maple tree ready for winter |
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| The warmth of home sweet humble home! |
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| Magical morning light |
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| Magical clouds! |
Thank you for sharing in the glory of the Ravenseyrie Sorraia Mustang Preserve!
