A few days ago, we found this bay stallion with his two mares just over the Colorado border on Missouri Creek near Dragon, Utah, an old gilsonite mining ghost town. As we stopped to watch them, he nervously paced back and forth protecting the mares that had trotted away when we pulled up. I was impressed by his defiance of the threat and his willingness to protect his own.

His beautiful bay coat is covered in dry mud which I'm sure was a cool roll in a recent rain slicked earth. The black mane and overall conformation makes me think he's descended from a fine Morgan line.

I wonder if we look out for those we love as well as this amazing stallion does his small harem. Are we willing to stand up to forces we do not recognize or understand? Do we overcome our own fears to watch over those who rely upon us? What can we learn from the Stallion of Missouri Creek?

The first snow of the season lays its quiet blanket of white upon all we can see, making all things new and pure, just as the Savior Jesus Christ does when we turn our hearts and minds to him, repenting and taking upon ourselves his name, keeping his commandments and always remembering him.

On this clear day, we drove to the Ouray National Wildlife Refuge and found very little in terms of wildlife 3xcept this porcupine who was a bit annoyed that we woke him up from his nap in the tree limb above the road.

The photo is not the very best from an artistic point of view, but it was fun to watch this fine specimen enjoy a little sun on a cold December day.