Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Trial By Fire

Smokey and I went out eagle watching again today. Well, I went out eagle watching. Smokey was not so interested, preferring to provide constant reminders that we really should be headed back to the barn.

I shot a brief video. Skip to about 1:30.



Some folks had set up an impromptu firing range on their property just off the levee. We had passed them earlier, so I had a pretty good idea what was coming. Poor old Smokey was more startled than anything, but had no desire to hang around. When I watched the video afterward, I must confess that I got a good laugh out of watching the old boys ears going into "high speed radar" mode.

I guess Cowboy Action Shooting may not be for us.

Both of my readers may be tired of my posts about the eagles, but it's my blog, and I doubt that I will ever tire of them. Click to enlarge.

Six in one tree. How cool is that?



24 comments:

Love and Life said...

Wow, look at all of those eagles! I've only ever seen two together at one time...that's beautiful! It was fun to watch the video, made me feel like I was riding Smokey myself. Funny how his head got higher and higher when hearing the shots. Looks like a fun time, puts me in the mood to do some horseriding myself.

HossBoss said...

I think he did excellent. Startled? Wish my mare 'startled' like that. LOL You could only tell from his ears kicking into a higher gear. I don't think he actually changed speed or broke stride which is excellent. At one time, you didn't think team penning would be up his alley either. If you tried Cowboy Mounted Shooting, you might like it and Smokey might surprise you!

Tired of looking at eagles? Can't imagine that...

: )

light.fingers said...

I love watching eagles. We get a couple circling over our farm house. Last summer I saw four circling about - I was on my horse at the time, and then I feel off. LOL. All good.

Kate said...

Thanks for taking me along for the ride. Having some horse difficulties right now, so I really enjoyed it. Smokey looks like a good one..he handled himself well. As for the eagles, you could post a photo of one every day. I would love it.
PS You sure have lots of trees in the Pacific Northwest. It doesn't look like West Texas AT ALL! Happy New Year.

Deb said...

He done real good BR. Keep up the good work!

Andy said...

Dave, that was a lot of fun. Thanks for letting us ride along.

Dude, as one of your two readers, I'll second what the other half of us said...

Eagles are NEVER boring.

Unknown said...

beautiful...just beautiful

Buck said...

Six in one tree. How cool is that?

VERY.

Smokey's ears DID go into high-speed mode! That was pretty cool, too.

Unknown said...

Never would tire of eagle watching myself either. LOVE the video...your horse looks much like my mare! And that was a great "spook" if you can even call it that. Thanks for sharing!

jill said...

They are so magestic.
Looks like Smokey was truckin along nicley.
Thanx for posting the pics.

Dave (aka Buckskins Rule) said...

Thanks for the comments everyone. Smokey handled himself pretty well.

He did spook at a manhole cover today, to make up for it. And waited until I wasn't paying attention, to boot. I'm glad I've got a good seat.

Andy said...

Heck, I've spooked at a man-hole cover or two myself.

Seen some bad "B" movies, I guess.

Jessica Boyd said...

Manhole covers are terrifying. Ask Lena. And anything yellow.

He did great! The ears were hilarious! It was like he kept asking you, "Did you hear that? Are you sure we need to keep going this direction? REALLY??"

And yes, keep posting the Eagle pictures. They are beautiful!

roughneckturtle/Jeff C. said...

Nice pics and video.

Michael said...

I just started following you blog. And I am enjoying the pictures and video. I briefly visited Washington state on the way to Alaska, a couple years back. I wish I could have stayed longer. That's a lot of eagles in one tree, and beats the four I saw in a tree in Alaska! Thanks for the blog, have a great day.

Buck said...

Pssst. BR. Hot tip: This Sunday. PBS.

Kipp said...

Enjoyed the ride with Smokey. He is ready for some fox hunting. :)
The Eagles are awesome. The only ones we have around here are in cages.
By the way, what was the deal with your camera man early on in the video? Honey bee, horse fly, wedgee?

Dave (aka Buckskins Rule) said...

Buck: Thanks for the tip!

Kipp: That was the moment where I nearly ended up on my noggin. Old Smokey Joe spotted the shooters, buggered up, and was on the verge of bolting. I had to spin him around to get his mind right, which is a two handed maneuver. Or, possibly a wedgee.

Liza David said...

HI,
I have loved this. The moves and control were great and I have shared the video with my friends. I love horses and riding is my passion
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Buck said...

Happy New Year to the BR Fam'bly!

Floann said...

I love the pricked up ears thru out the clip! I wish my horse spooked as nicely as yours does. I am still sporting a dislocated finger injury from his last "spook" in November. I really hope it returns to normal soon. Lovely pony!

Mary in Wa said...

What a gift to find your blog BR, loved the ride, being a fellow Washingtonian, I am glad to see the eagles coming back. Smokeys' ears are priceless! What a good boy!

Dave (aka Buckskins Rule) said...

Hi Mary! Thanks for stopping by. I love to see the eagles each year, and it's even better on horseback.

Unknown said...

Hi,
This is really a great stuff for sharing. Keep it up .Thanks for sharing.
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