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Ranchers.net

Since a number of members requested more scenes of my place and the surrounding area, here goes. Thanks for looking and feel free to ask quesitons or make comments.

View of the ranch as one enters through the mountain pass which leads into the place. There's only one road in and I like that, easier to keep an eye on the comings and goings. The hill with the reddish crest off to the left side of the pic is where I plan to build my home. It's got a great view of the place as you'll see from other shots presented here.


Here's a pic of about 15 acres of sorghum and pasture that was planted about 10 days ago. You can't see the plants yet, but bless their little hearts, they're there and trying to survive. I bought this place (40 hectars) last Nov or Dec and began clearing it in January. It was completely covered with native brush. I wish the entire parcel I purchased had this kind of soil but there are some marginal areas which are quite rocky. Overall though, it was a good addition to the place.


This piece is plowed and ready, just waiting on some rainfall. This view is also of the 40 hectar piece and looks to the southwest. The hill in the middle of the photograph is the one I mentioned in the first post.


Most of the water in this pond fell in a single heavy shower we had about a month ago. We could sure use another like it. Normally, because of the size of its drainage and the time of year, this pond would be completely filled and actually discharging water. It's still got a long ways to go.


This young man is nicknamed Coco and he's one of our cowboys. Good kid, dependable and is good with the animals.


This is Anibal and he's ranch manager, welder, mechanic, etc. He works like a mule, usually 7 days a week. This kind of guy is hard to find here and I'm really happy he joined us.


This is Socrates, ranch engineer. He's designed my irrigation system, my general water system, made sure the ponds were strategically located and built correctly, etc. He does a lot of projects for me, both on the ranch and off site, especially with some heavy equipment we're putting to work.


This is Epifanio and he lives on the ranch and is responsible for the animals. I've had a number of people tell me that he's one of the best in the area and I believe them. He seems to know every animal by name and can tell me when calf X was born, how much it weighed, etc. We count our animals twice daily and when one's missing he can usually tell me which one it is.


View to the north from the hill where I want to build my home. It's greener now than in the photo I posted in my first thread here, but not nearly green enough.


View to the northeast. The wooded piece on the right side of the photo is another (about 45 hectars) that I recently purchased though we haven't cleared much of it....only about 6 or 7 hectars. That'll be next summer's project.


View to the Southwest showing the ranch house, sheds, corrals and the like. This hillsite and structures below were part of a small ranch I bought last July.....60 or so hectares. It's got an interesting story too, but I'll save that one for now. :wink:


Anibal and a contract hand applying Potreron 212 for broadleaf control in a small piece we planted in bermuda about 2 weeks ago.


Our toucan or samuro (buzzard) as we call him. He fears nothing and no one and eats everything. I'd like to see him smothered in onions some day. :D Oh, and that's my horse he's using as a toilet. :eek:


This is Poncho, another I'd like to see on the grill. He's a terror, but really funny to watch in action. He loves my dog Pequi, tries to carry him by his harness up into the trees. They play together like two kids.


Here's Anibal working on the transmission of a water cannon that we're getting cranked up. This thing throws water about 50 yards in all directions, at a rate of about 8 liters per second. I've got a bit over 500 meters of 4" irrigation line that runs from our largest pond through the bermuda pastures. I'm glad we've got it now as we're already putting water on the grass. Unfortunately, that's water that we should be saving for February and March.


Water cannon in operation last summer. BTW, this thing is easily moved with my 4 wheeler....uhh horse. :D


This shot is of a small tract, about 3 hectars that runs along a creek that borders the place on the south. Excellent soil, rich in organics and normally goes under water 5 or 6 times per year. We've planted it with bermuda, and it's rooted, but nothing really above the surface yet. Too darned dry.


This is that same piece but looking up back towards the ranch house. That passage way on the hillside is one we cut with a D8. Before that we had to cross a neighbor's property to reach this piece.


Okay, this is yours truly, WhiteWing and Francisco getting ready to make a payroll run to the ranch. Yes, we're well armed and those in the pueblo who need to know that, do. That's our guard dog, Pequi. Francisco doesn't work at the ranch itself but instead handles assorted duties back in the city and also drives for me. I hate driving in Venezuela.


Francisco counting out bolivares. We pay no one via check though they all sign receipts for the cash.



This is a view of one of the streets in the pueblo. I was visiting the local hardware store, or ferret shop as I call them......ferreteria. :D


The Catholic Church, which in most pueblos is located in the center of the town. There's also almost aways a big plaza out front which serves as a gathering place for all sorts of activities by the locals.


I figured you guys would find this construction interesting.....yes, that's mud and sticks.


Venezuelans, not being people to miss a good chance to party, here are celebrating the day of the Virgin of the Valle. This shot was taken last Tuesday evening. There were similar scenes all over the pueblo.....all over Venezuela from what I understand.


And last, but not least, Venezuelan beef, it's what's for dinner! Not Pequi's attention glued to that ribcage. :lol:
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