Summer has arrived in my corner of the world. The nights are still cool for sleeping and the days are sunny with temperatures in the mid-to-high 90’s. Our garden and our small orchard are doing well—so far (gophers and deer took their toll last year—but that is another story).
Our valley is mostly agriculture with many fields of alfalfa and a few fields of grazing cattle, horses, and sheep. Many of the livestock have been moved to the mountains for summer grazing but a few herds are still here in the valley.
Irrigation sprinklers are a constant and cooling sight along country roads. During the spring and early summer the sprinklers run constantly because the irrigation water is unlimited with the overflow run off from the mountains. Later in the summer the water supply will be controlled, but for now it is plentiful and being used liberally. Last week, on my way to the grocery store, I saw this surprising sight.
At first I thought that an irrigation pipe must have just burst because the water was not being directed by a sprinkler and because the sheep were gathered around and inside the water spray. Later, the next day when it still spraying full blast and the sheep were still lounging around and in the spray, I realized that the farmer had opened up the irrigation valve and was letting it spray on purpose. He was providing a cooling dip for his sheep, water to drink, and irrigation for part of his field all at the same time. Lucky sheep!
