Santa Ynez Sunsets

A visitor today asked if we had sunset views from Ridgeline Ranch. We sure do!

Ridgeline Ranch has almost 360 degree views. Looking to the north and east, we see the Sedgwick Reserve and Figueroa Mountain. Looking to the north and west, we see Grass Mountain and Zaca Mountain. Looking to the south, we see the Santa Ynez Mountains. Looking to the west we see incredible sunsets from this rare property. Here are a few to enjoy!

Santa Ynez Wildlife

Someone asked today about wildlife in the area of Ridgeline Ranch. The question came up in part because this rare property is adjacent to the Sedgwick Reserve. Our ranch's perimeter is fully fenced so we don't get as many visitors as we might otherwise.

Here are photos taken at a water tank in the Sedgwick Reserve by a motion activated camera.

The first shows three deer and a fox. The second shows a bobcat looking for a drink while being cautious about falling in.

In Woodstock Ranch we also see badgers waddling by the roadside at dusk and a multitude of groundsquirrels plus a number of arboreal squirrels. We hear coyotes call at night although I've never seen one as close as I did in Pasadena. Also, our noses sense the presence of skunks although my dogs quickly learned to give them a wide berth.

I've come to enjoy bird watching, too, since we moved here. My spring posts included photos of some of our avian visitors. Lately, I've seen lots of Western bluebirds and a surpring number of kestrels. See the handsome kestrel posing at the top of this entry.

It seems so fitting to be living in an environmentally "green" house as we witness nature's bounty.

Santa Ynez Births

Meadow frolic
Originally uploaded by scampion

Santa Ynez is a virtual nursery in the spring. In the equestrian facilities, we see long-legged foals. Cattle ranches feature calves. Usually they're more tranquil than the three in this photo, but this bunch sure looks like they're having fun.

Woodstock Ranch leases the grazing rights to its common areas. Now it's a second home to steers who munch the wild grass and enjoy the panoramic views. Clearing the land with cows is a truly green approach. The rancher pays for the right to have his cows roam and get fat on the native plants.

There's a company a few miles away that leases goats to remove grass and scrub. In that case, the economics are reversed. Usually owners of land with difficult terrain pay for the goats to be delivered and act as environmentally correct weed eaters.

Regardless of the dollar flow, grazing animals can be a great example of energy conservation.

Santa Ynez Springtime

Arabian Mare and Foal
Originally uploaded by http://www.flickr.com/people/25559798@N08/

Santa Ynez bursts with life in the spring. My favorite new creatures are foals. Here's a picture of an Arab mare and her baby.

This morning I drove past Magali Farms which is about five minutes away from Ridgeline Ranch. It's a large equestrian facility specializing in thoroughbreds.

I stopped by a broad green pasture, mesmerized by the tranquil scene. There must have been twenty mares and foals enjoying the morning air. The mares were grazing lush green grass and the foals, basking in the sun, slept beside them. One little colt was standing on long, spindly legs nursing while his mother munched her greens. Such a beautiful serene view!

Back in the Saddle Again in Santa Ynez

Woman on horseback, Katoomba, Kitch & Co.
Originally uploaded by Blue Mountains Library

Santa Ynez Valley certainly looks beautiful after spending weeks in Los Angeles with a sick relative. The tranquility of Ridgeline Ranch is more than welcome after the buzz of the city.

Of course, Ridgeline Ranch is especially peaceful because of its location adjacent to UCSB's Sedgwick Reserve. One of a handful of homes neighboring this 6,000 natural preserve, Ridgeline Ranch is a rare property with its seclusion and panoramic views.

Santa Ynez Equestrian Celebrities

Monty Roberts
Originally uploaded by Keith Jack

Santa Ynez Valley has many equestrian celebrities. One of those is self-proclaimed "horse whisperer" Monty Roberts. Although Monty's horsemeanship techniques seemed revolutionary to some outside the world of Western riding, they were similar to those espoused years earlier by Tom Dorrance who wrote "True Unity: Willing Communication between Horse and Human" and Ray Hunt who wrote "Think Harmony with Horses."

Monty and his wife Pat, a talented sculptor, own Flag is Up Farm, a large equestrian facility, in Buellton. The farm accepts horses and humans for training! Tours of the farm may be available on the weekend.

Of course, the Santa Ynez Valley has four-legged equestrian celebrities. Three Kentucky Derby winners were trained here: Flying Ebony, Grindstone and Charismatic. 2007 world champion Cutting Horse, Doc’s Tee Boots resides here in the Valley. I could add to the list but you'd really have to be into horses to appreciate it.

Santa Ynez Celebrity Equestrian

Entertainment by Ramon Becerra
Originally uploaded by kenpauley

Santa Ynez is home to a number of horse lovers, vets, owners, trainers and entertainers. Ramon Becerra works as a trainer, trick roper, stuntman and equine entertainer. His performances include elements of haute ecole dressage, the classical form of the sport originally popularized by the Spanish Riding School in Vienna. He also performs flashy acts like standing with one foot on each of two horses that he is driving in tandem as they canter around an arena.

Ramon uses Freisians, Lusitanos and Andalusians in his performances. They are gorgeous animals with thick flowing manes and tails.

Because this is such a "horsey" area with many equestrian events, we have usually have the opportunity to see him at least once a year. Last summer, Platinum Performance (a manufacturer of horse supplements) sponsored a free show at the Santa Ynez Equestrian Center featuring Ramon, Charlotte Bredahl and Sandy Collier among others. It was quite a night!