Red Reflet Ranch … it’s brand

Visiting Red Reflet Ranch, one will see on cattle, equipment, and clothing, the original patented brand of two R’s reversed back-to-back, sitting atop a rectangle.
The symbol represents Red Reflet Ranch, sitting atop a rim and water table.  Every ranch owner strives for a logo that is unique in design and meaningful, and can be easily identified from other cattle in the field or stockyard.

The process of branding dates back to early Egyptian times, with the intent being verified ownership of livestock.

Under the watchful supervision of Harry Mills, and skilled wrangler abilities of Clay Trollinger and his crew, the ranch held its first brandings on Monday April 11 in the arena, and Tuesday at the Cattle Center.  Guests shared in the work as cows and calves were rounded up by horseback, and carefully vaccinated, recorded, and branded with the Red Reflet Rand brand.  There will be several more brandings and if you want to be part of the action, call and get an idea when they will occur this season.  Of course the first brandings led into the first Cantina which signaled the beginning of our “Guest Season”. A great spread of char grilled steak, chicken, home cured pork-belly, ranch beans, biscuits, and salad, was enjoyed by guests, staff and nieghbors, by campfire under the balmy evening skies.

Sandhill cranes dance at the Red Reflet

Our resident pair of Sandhill Cranes allowed intrepid photographer (Laurence) an up close and personal view of their Sunday afternoon time in the sun. These beautiful birds are on their spring migration from Mexico to northern Canada, Alaska and some even to Siberia. While our friends in Nebraska see hundreds of thousands of Sandhills during the migration when they stay by the North Platte river, we at Red Reflet are happy to enjoy this pair.

Our first branding of the year is scheduled for mid-April! Let us know if you want to come …

 

Team work!

Catch me if you can ...

 

 

Magaroo ….

Taking the dogs for a walk with an Australian friend is always fun …. but we’ve noticed that Maggie has picked up some rabbit hunting tricks from the coyotes as well as thinking she should impress our Australia friend Alison, with some Kangaroo tricks! When a coyote wants to try to get a rabbit from under the snow, it jumps and pushes its nose into the snow as it lands to try and push down into the rabbit burrow.

So … was Maggie hunting or trying to impress Alison? …. what do you think?

Watch out Kenzie!

I Hope I don't miss that landing!

Welcome Princess!

In the last post, we mentioned the pool we set up for our first calf of the season. Five dollars bought a 12 hour spot and winner of the pool also earned naming rights. Years of experience with the calving didn’t help the guys guess the right date for the arrival of our first little bundle of joy – it was all up to good luck. The best news is that staff made wise use of the funds and invested in some refreshing beverages down at the saloon.

We spent it very wisely

And here she is, our little heifer named Princess. She now has several brothers and sisters, but as the first heifer of the season, she will always be very special.

No tiara, but she does get an ear tag

Winners are grinners!

TOUCHDOWN!! PACKERS WIN!

You might have heard by now, but just in case you missed it… the Packers won the Superbowl! And nobody was more excited than Nichole, who could be heard cheering all the way back in Wisconsin.

All the staff had a great time at the Superbowl Sunday party at the Lodge. We even started a pool, but were betting on which day the first calf would be born, not the winner of the football. We’ll tell you more about that in the next post.

Fence oversight…….literally!

In addition to the previous blog on “over the rivers and through the hills”,  there is the matter of fence inspection and gate closures over the vast grazing lands.  To this end the sky cowboys, Anthony and John used Laurence’s hand made helicopter for aerial inspection prior to the cattle reaching their winter turf.  Combined with all the other workers, horses, machinery, and hours involved, it is little wonder that everyone could use a little R & R at RRR.

Over the river and through the hills to winter pastures they go!

It is the first week of December here at the Ranch, and a clear day, in spite of an ominous wide ring around the sun, gave the near 20 mile cattle drive to the Badlands a big boost.  The vegetation on the deeded sections of grazing pasture was yellow, wispy, and abundant.  The deep well flowed fresh water into the tanks.  The draws and hills will offer shelter from the December weather until later in January when the cows will return to the ranch.

Our black Angus leaving the ranch ...

All went well under the supervision of Harry Mills, and watchful eyes and horsemanship of Clay and Tammy, and cowboys John, Clint, Matt, and of course Franklin and Ruby the cattle dogs.  A good thing too, because the very next day, as per the sun’s wide, foreboding ring, brought a steady snowfall and chill winds.

Slowly but surely ...

Winter Stacks….

It is November; the ranch breathes a cold silence under the frost and snow.  Looking to the grey skies over the Big Horns, one knows that more snow is coming this way and a quick look around Red Reflet shows the hard work of the year neatly stacked, stored, or simmering on the stove.  The stacks of firewood will be carried by the armloads to the lodge hearth. The stored hay and grains are ready for the horses and cattle to feed on long into the Spring, as needed.  The smell of simmering stock, wafts through the kitchen and dining room, some to be savored now, and more to be frozen for those delicious soups during Guest Season.   There is a certain contentment that comes upon glancing and knowing that the winter stacks and stores will do their “duties” as the snows fall.

Fall’s roundup underway amidst warm and sunny skies!

Harry Mills riding in his Kubota behind the herd, looked up at the clear blue sky on November 2, shook his head and said……”Gollllleee…I can’t believe this weather!  Just look at that alfalfa field. Not even a heavy frost yet!  Unbelievable!”

But, for the wranglers, the lack of blowing snows, freezing temperatures, and staying dry and warm under layers of flannel, until the herds were moved to winter pastures, was just fine.  FINE.

 With a few exceptions, the rounding up of Red Reflet Ranch’s cows and calves is going quite smoothly.  Harry and Mark, Clay and Tammy, Clint, John, Matt and an assortment of guests and others, rode many long hours, and many weary miles over the hills and through the draws.  Many of you reading this blog know well, their skills and labors as you were saddled up next to them.

Ann & Mikey “looking for cows”…

Harry found his grand-daughter, but no cows…

Cows are found…

Where are those cows?