Branding Day

All I can hear is the mooing of cattle as they move. 

The sound of cowboy whoops.

Dogs barking. Horses neighing. 

The motors of ATVs and tractors.

It looks so easy in the movies. Or on Yellowstone where they show the lone cow breaking free. Running from the others. Reality is that when one runs, there are most likely many headed the wrong direction. Mamas and babies.

It's hard work moving cattle anywhere. 

And that's all before the branding even starts.

      

Like so many parts of the ranch life I'm learning, branding is community. Not done in isolation. A small part of the bigger picture. A community of ranches, cowboys, families, and of course, cattle.