The Mediator and the Gods

 

Original Paleolithic-style rock painting by Lynne Gerard

A new rock painting inspired by some of the fantastic males in my life.

Reposted here from my Instagram account @gerard.lynne

And so here it is! The 11” x28” Paleozoic dolostone plaquette painting of Kevin and two of our stallions, now completed!

I’m giving this rock painting the title: The Mediator and the Gods

Our lives here at the Ravenseyrie Sorraia Mustang Preserve are ruled by the wild stallions and we happily (most of the time) have devoted ourselves to doing what we can to placate them and assure that all is well in their mythic realm here on Manitoulin Island.

When they were younger, they were more like drinking buddies and their internal fights were playful games. But now these primal-type wild stallions are mature studs and while they are not aggressive with either Kevin or me - they are, by default it seems, prone to petty arguments and pitched battles amongst themselves. Despite there being no mares to fight for (our mares now live an hour’s drive from the home range on land owned by @twinravens2000 ) these guys are like gang members and are always looking to flex their muscles for some type of supremacy - and I think they delight in just how exquisite their capable bodies are.

When we are not mingled in the thick of these impressive bachelors (7 stallions, 2 geldings) they are allowed to conduct their affairs and resolve conflicts as they see fit for the most part. But when they erupt in violent outbursts while we are distributing supplementary forage for them we intercede and quell the storm “Boys! BOYS! That’s enough!” and marvellously they seem to listen to us and set their differences aside (momentarily) and get back to enjoying the offerings their human subjects have present to them.

I’m delighted with how the rock painting turned out! I think it well captures the moment when a few stern words and intense glare from my mortal man, Kev, were able to diffuse a potentially volatile situation between two stallions - err, two gods.

First Day of January and Last Day of January

 

Out on a walkabout on New Year’s Day, I was delighted to be met on the fringe of the forest by my old friend, the Sorraia stallion, Altamiro.

It had been my intention to angle myself back to where I had seen the horses and stop to hand out some alfalfa cube “cookies” I had in a pouch I was wearing.  Altamiro must have read my mind because he met me before I had even gotten back across the preserve to where the horses were keeping on that afternoon.  But, much as I would like to think that this handsome gent came to see me because he likes me and wanted to have a one-on-one visit apart from the others, I know that he really came because he knew I was packing treats.  Even still, a starstruck groupie of such a rock star of an equine can pretend otherwise!

And today, on the last day of January - some of Altamiro’s sons can be seen soaking up the warm sunshine after many days of deep chill here on the Ravenseyrie Sorraia Mustang Preserve.  All is well!

Fog on Christmas Day at Ravenseyrie on Manitoulin Island

Foggy Dawn at Ravenseyrie on Christmas Day

 Dawn came to Ravenseyrie on this Christmas Day with a wonderfully atmospheric fog, providing a rather magical element to our distribution of Christmas breakfast to the “wild” bachelors.  I was born in later December and have lived all my life in regions where a White Christmas is the norm.  But on rare occasions, conditions have been mild and snow has been lacking on Christmas Day and so it is for us this year.

A Ravenseyrie snow scene from December 6, 2021

Just yesterday (Christmas Eve) we had perhaps 12.5cm of snow covering the landscape, more in drifted spots - which isn’t all that much for Manitoulin Island this time of year, but certainly enough that our Ravenseyrie Sorraia Mustang Preserve had a winter wonderland appearance.  

December 6, 2021 at Ravenseyrie

That changed, however, with the above freezing temperatures and rain that came over the course of last evening.

By late morning, the fog had dissipated and later in the afternoon there were periods of sunshine.  

Fidalgo on a nearly snow-free range/Christmas Day

With the temperature a little better than 2ºC and very little snow left, Kevin and I decided to go on a foray for Juniper berries.  Foraging for ripe Juniper berries is a somewhat tedious enterprise, but on a day like today when whiling away the time is an acceptable activity there can be quite an enjoyable experience to be had.  For me, getting absorbed into the wild landscape - the sound of the wind, the colours and scents, shapes and textures are a mind-altering drug, with the feeling of deeper connection and obliviousness to time passing.  This is very much like when I am beach-combing for special stones to use in my Paleolithic-style rock paintings.  It is a sensation that I feel is quite medicinal - especially during such troublesome times the human world continues to experience.  I am so glad that Kevin was able to join me!

The main sector of the preserve where there are good Juniper berries to be found

Kevin stops to admire the wonderful trunk of the Zen Elm 

A few of the Juniper berries I will use dried as a spice in cooking.  Most, however, we are macerating and soaking in vodka to make a simple gin for mixing in herbal liqueurs.  Such drinks are another type of medicinal we partake of…one that can be especially helpful to us when the harsher elements of winter return…which is quite likely soon!

Sorraia stallion, Altamiro, from a winter several years ago

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!