Horses and wine both carry a tremendously appealing mystique, which stretches back deep into classical mythology. A combination of the two is irresistible. I have just had the pleasure of making another wine tasting tour on horseback. My trip was based at the Cowboy Hideaway, which is dramatically perched near the top of a mountain over a thousand feet above the valley floor, and beautiful Clear Lake. The valley floor is fertile ground for grapes, nut trees, vegetables, lavender and other products which bring fragrances, culinary enjoyment and Bacchanalian delights to mankind. It is a pity that the ancient Greeks did not discover this land. They would have reveled in its bounty!

To begin with, we visited the Benziger Family Winery. To me, the impressive thing about this place was the complete reliance on natural compost and manure to keep the grape vines healthy and provide the nutrients needed for abundant harvests. Grape skins and seeds go back into the soils; no grappa produced here.

The winery behind us, we continued on through vineyards, orchards and oak forests to the Cowboy Hideaway. We left the paved road, entered the ranch gate and drove steeply upward on a sharply winding dirt driveway toward our home for the week. When we reached the top and climbed out the views were stupendous. My first impression on entering the lodge was the spacious dining/kitchen/sitting room. Social activity revolves around this room and all can contribute to the manner of cooking dinner while tasting and sharing the wines found during the day at the wineries visited. Comfortable bedrooms radiate out from this main room. The deck outside was a marvelous spot from which to view the surrounding country. We were lucky enough to have a full moon to bathe mountains, lake and valley in silvery light.

After breakfast, we wound our way back down to the bottom of the ranch where our sturdy, gaited Rocky Mountain horses waited. We spent that first day riding around the ranch on some steep trails and had a picnic with a magnificent view. On the following days, we sometimes rode from the ranch or we went by van to other spots and met the horses, which had been brought by trailer. The most enjoyable of all was the trip to Seabiscuit’s old ranch and retirement home. This beautiful place has been lovingly restored and there are many interesting memorabilia on display. We had a fine ride through the towering redwoods and were able to open the horses up at times in wide clearings.

On the last evening my son, Bayard, came and provided the wine. He also did a terrific job of cooking the lamb, which was delicious, and it was a lovely evening for all of us. The moon was full that night and view of Clear Lake, shimmering like silver, and the valley floor was fabulous. It was a fitting end to a glorious week of horseback riding in California.

1. Natural fall of feathers

The natural fall of feathers of birds is called languishing . This is a physiological process that reveals generally in the end of summer and the beginning of autumn with all birds species.

During the period of languishing consecutively all feathers fall off birds and are replaced with new ones . A change of all feathers occurs with old birds and with young ones this starts at the age of about 2 months and is called baby - languishing. During this they change only a part of their feathers that means only the small cover - feathers without the tail and helming feathers . For the growth of new feathers, the organism of birds uses up lots of energy. To be able to compensate this in due time it is necessary to provide favorable zoo - hygienic conditions of breeding, rich food full of vitamins and minerals, fresh air and warm . When breeding birds properly, languishing proceeds easily and fast . Incorrect feeding, dry undiversified and of poor quality food before languishing , leads to disturbance in metabolism, painful and long - lasting change of feathers. That is why it is necessary to provide various fresh and full of vitamins food ( fruit , vegetables ) . After completing the languishing, the bird restores its vitality, mobility and lively type.

2. Fall off feathers because of other reasons ( I unnatural season - winter).

Partial fall of feathers as well as their violent wrenching away by the birds themselves , which is a very common phenomenon and mostly in home - cultivated birds. This might be due to many reasons :
• sudden temperature changes
• insufficient feeding with undiversified food - especially only oil - bearing seeds
• damp and warm stuffy air - for example kitchen rooms
• lack of enough movements
• decrease of the continuation of daylight in the room
• invasion of parasites
• nerve disorders
• lack of attention

In such cases it is recommended to provide nourishing feeding with foods rich in animal proteins, minerals and vitamins. It should be considered that regular as well as irregular languishing create conditions for predispositions towards diseases, because of which special care and hygiene are necessary in this period.

Geomil Georgiev is owner and editor of http://www.birdscomfort.com where you can find information on every type of pet birds. BirdsComfort provides detailed information in decorative, large, custom, acrylic, antique, wooden, and discount bird cages sale, as well as cage covers,bird cage playstands, bird perches, bird toys, bird swings and bird foods