Sparkle-Photography

CV Spring Event| You Gotta Be Storking Kidding Me Beginning | Part I | Part II | Part III | Part IV (End) - - - - - The roaring in Geiser’s ears suddenly disappeared until all that remained was a ringing in his head. The silence was deafening; it almost seemed louder than the sudden onslaught of snow. Slowly opening his eyes, the stallion half expected to see some strange horse or creature in front of him, but all that remained was the path they veered away from to seek shelter. From what he could see, there was no sign of snow; only dissipating clouds that allowed new sunlight to shine into the canyon. The rays of sunshine immediately warmed Geiser’s back, though a chill still swept through his bones. What had just occurred? Shaking his head to clear the ringing, Geiser turned back to the opening within the rock where he could hear Sofia’s panicked breathing and the chicks quit chirping. “It’s safe to come out now, the storm passed,” Geiser said, still looking around in

CV Spring Event| You Gotta Be Storking Kidding Me Beginning | Part I | Part II | Part III ( You are here ) | Part IV - - - While dusk swallowed the ravine quicker than amongst the plains, dawn was slower to the pace. There was no high ground to view the rising sun; it was simply the birdsong that roused Geiser first, blinking drowsily at his surroundings. It took a few moments for his mind to catch up with their situation, but once it clicked into place, the stallion glanced around for his traveling companions. Well, companions. Only a meter away lay Sofia, the bay overo tucked into herself, still deep in slumber. Scattered around her were the four chicks, also still fast asleep. Relaxing that they were still safe for their journey, Geiser quietly got to his hooves and thoroughly shook his coat to rid himself of any loose dust or debris. Stepping out from their hideaway, a hollow carved into the rock with solid pieces jutting overhead for built-in shelter, Geiser admired the

CV Spring Event| You Gotta Be Storking Kidding Me Beginning | Part I | Part II ( You are here ) | Part III | Part IV - - - The four brownish chicks gazed up at him with wide, unblinking eyes, their sporadic movements unnerving Geiser a bit. Still hesitant about becoming an adoptive parent to these babies, he frantically looked around for someone else, but once again, was met with silence. Huffing and coming to terms with the situation, the wild bay stallion lowered his muzzle to brush it across the chick's head. Recoiling at the sudden contact, the chicks began their shrill chirping, uncertain and afraid. “It’s alright, little ones,” Geiser murmured. “I won’t hurt you. I’m here to help.” Though he wished someone else was there to help. Wait, there was an idea! One of the mares could help him out. They had better parental instincts, after all. With the foals weaned and growing into rowdy yearlings, the mares had more time to relax and not watch over them constantly. Raheel could

CV Spring Event| You Gotta Be Storking Kidding Me Beginning | Part I (You are here) | Part II | Part III | Part IV - - - Later in the afternoon, when the mares were grouped dozing comfortably under the sun, Geiser decided to take a stroll under the nearby patch of trees that covered a sizeable area. There was plenty of room between each tree to graze, but there was also ample shade offered by thick, interwoven branches. On those branches bloomed cherry blossoms, a staple of springtime. Light pink petals soaked up the sunshine as pleasing aromas filled the air, floating on the breeze. The wild bay stallion stopped to gaze upwards at the filtered rays of the sun, closing his eyes briefly as he inhaled the satisfying fresh air. Letting out an audible exhale, the stallion continued his amble with no goal in mind other than to stretch his legs and explore. The foals and yearlings would certainly love this environment, but the mares haven’t ventured this far yet. Perhaps tomorrow if the