Feather Your Nest

11/04/2023

I've hesitated to post this photo here, for fear that it sends the wrong message. It requires an explanation.

In 2018, I embarked on a 14,000 mile 'wild horse road trip'. In a camper with my husband and dog, this was a photographic journey with one goal: to share the stories behind these magnificent American mustangs, in the hopes that more people would help keep them protected.

I always keep a respectable distance from wild mustangs, using long camera lenses, and ensuring that my presence from a distance is not changing their behavior in any way. It is of utmost importance.

One morning just after dawn, we were travelling through the Bighorn Canyon area of Wyoming, when I saw some wild mustangs on a ridge and decided to hike up the hills. The horses disappeared into a canyon and I turned back, just thankful to have seen them.

I hiked to the road and started to walk back to the camper. I was looking at the images on the back of my camera as I was walking, when suddenly I became aware that I was being followed.

I turned around.

A stunning wild stallion was within a few feet of me.

I stopped, stayed still and kept my body language calm. The stallion had a beautiful, gentle demeanor, and took a few more steps towards me.

Should I have backed away immediately, and put some distance between us? Absolutely.

For those few seconds, it felt like I was in an energy field that I can't explain. I was looking directly into the eyes of a wild American mustang.

He wanted nothing from me. Yet there is something that we can all give to the American mustang: the right to exist, wild and free, peacefully with their families, and an acknowledgement that their free spirit once reflected ours.

But somehow we have lost our way.

Wild mustangs can teach us everything we need to know about ourselves, if we take the time to listen.

From the camper, my husband saw this moment unfold. With no knowledge of camera gear, he grabbed one of my cameras and pressed the button, hoping the photo would work out.

The wild stallion left the road and called out to his mares, who joined him moments later. I watched as they disappeared over the ridge.

At this moment, thousands and thousands of wild mustangs have lost their freedom- subject to horrific helicopter roundups. Somehow, over time, the private livestock industry and other extractive industries have taken control of your public lands. They want the American wild mustangs eradicated from public lands, and the U.S. government is on a path to do just that.

Follow the money, follow the greed.

Please add your voice. Ask your elected officials to

Contact the Director of the BLM, Tracey Stone-Manning
202-208-3801
Contact your Representative:
202-224-3121
Contact the White House:
202-456-1414
Contact Secretary of the Interior, Deb Haaland:
202-208-3100

Thank you all.

11/04/2023

Well... this is awkward. Yesterday, we posted a black bear for Wildlife Wednesday, and lo and behold, last night, we had a not-so-little visitor at the campground at Gorges State Park 😬. Maybe they thought the photo we used was unflattering?

Visitors and the bear are fine, and park staff are working on implementing bear aversion tactics. But this does mean that the Gorges campground is closed for the next 2 weeks. If you have a camping reservation between now and November 16, you will receive a full refund.

The park remains open for day-use, but we advise visitors to always use caution (at Gorges and all state parks in bear country).

👂 BE AWARE, try to make noise periodically, and don't use earbuds. (The bear more than likely hates your taste in music and podcasts anyway.)

👯 DON'T HIKE ALONE, if possible! Take someone with you. (Whether you choose someone who looks more appetizing than you is your business, but keep in mind that beauty is in the eye of the bear-holder.)

🐶 Always KEEP YOUR PETS ON A LEASH or leave them at home. (Dogs are friends, not food. If anyone can translate that into bear language, let us know. In the meantime, 6-foot leash at all times!)

🗑️ PACK OUT OR DISPOSE OF ALL FOOD AND TRASH. (It's rude to leave things at the bear's house, and they're clearly already grumpy.)

But seriously folks, stay safe out there! DO NOT APPROACH A BEAR AND/OR TRY TO GIVE IT FOOD! If you encounter a bear, back away slowly and quietly in the opposite direction.

Park rules exist to keep you and wildlife safe. Our friends North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission have more great BearWise tips here: https://www.ncwildlife.org/promotion/bearwise

11/04/2023

Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square music director Mack Wilberg debuted new music during the orchestra’s fall concert — the groups first featured concert in four years. See photos of the concert.

11/04/2023

Mexican Shrimp Cocktail - OMG DON'T LOSE THISIngredients:• 2 Lbs Jumbo Shrimp• 2 Celery Stalks, (sliced thin)• 1 Jalapeno, (seeded, finely chopped)• 1 Cucumber, (chopped)Must express something to keep getting my recipes.... Thank you.Recipe in (c.o.m.m.e.n.t ).
Must express something to keep getting my recipes❤️ 😍
Full recipe in (c.o.m.m.e.n.t ).👇

11/02/2023

🤣😂

11/01/2023

DOES ANYONE HERE ACTUALLY STILL EAT Sweet Potato Pie 😋😍
Ingredients:
¼ cup of milk
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
4 tablespoons of softened butter
¼ teaspoon of ground nutmeg
Must express something to keep getting my recipes.... Thank you.
FULL RECIPE Link in First (c.o.m.m.e.n.t ).

11/01/2023

MEXICAN STREET CORN

Ingredients

6 Ears Fresh Sweet Corn
6 Tablespoons Mayonnais
½ Teaspoon Garlic Powder
1 Cup Cotija Cheese Crumbled
Must express something to keep getting my recipes.... Thank you.
Recipe in (c.o.m.m.e.n.t ).👇

10/19/2022

10/19/2022

10/19/2022

09/17/2018

Feather Your Nest is closed. Thank you for your Interests