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.

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 Skies

Santa Ynez skies have cleared. One of the special things about Ridgeline Ranch is that I can see almost 360 degrees. We have panoramic views of the sun rise and the sunset. It truly is a rare property.

Looking out to the west, like this shot, I often see fog rising up from the Santa Ynez River in the morning. Its course is 75 miles long, running from the Santa Ynez Mountains near Divide Peak through Santa Barbara, Santa Ynez, Solvang, Buellton and Lompoc, emptying into the Pacific Ocean at Surf Beach.