"Me on Pony photographing Lyle O'Bryan on Foxy on the White River on the Quarter Circle XL Ranch on or around the year of 2005" ... I crossed paths with this photograph and the former me today while watering a small herd of cattle on the river at a hole we chopped in the ice. I sat on my horse taking in the same view of golden river breaks in the quiet stillness of just the cows on the ice and snow. When I let my thoughts drift, it is like a flip book of experiences and images from the past several years of ranching passing through my brain. Working with older friends is some days like a accelerated time lapse photography sequence that I so want to slow down - but some days it is as if time stands still or reverses to watch a 78 year old cowboy in action - still on his game and sitting tall in the saddle. Funny how the same horse I ride can look so much better when a real horseman like Lyle rides him. Doing my best to stay in the now and document it all but can't help but daydream about all the adventure I have been lucky to be a part of along the way. ©JEAN LAUGHTON
