It’s mid-rainy season here in Niger, West Africa, and the trails are beautifully green!
There’s nothing to please the crew of Ishtar’s Ark as saddling up and going for a beautiful hike!
As soon as Sheba knows where we’re going, she’s happy to lead the way!
This time, we were heading for the healin jirgi tapki, one of my favourite places on earth.
Healin jirgi means airfield in Hausa. To us, however, it means a particular little spot, right next to the airfield.
A pretty little lake filled with grass, though deep enough for the horses to splash their bellies and for the dogs to swim. And beautiful whichever way you look at it!
The dogs were quick to plunge in.
You’d be surprised how cold the water becomes over night in such an otherwise warm country!
While the dogs explored the waterside, I got off my horse and explored the lake with my camera.
As always, Sheba was on the lookout, making sure we were all “safe”. 
Surrounded by so much beauty, I had no need to leave!!!
Eventually, it was time to head back home,
…with both dogs and humans done discovering the premises.
We collected some fresh grass for the horses left at home. Ebony and Sahara were not all that happy to serve as transporting mules (“Isn’t that what donkeys are for?!”) but they did it nevertheless. After a few minutes, Sahara forgot all about her “load” and insisted we gallop home.
Our ride back through the green millet labyrinths was as enjoyful as our way there.
I can’t believe the millet is as tall as me on horseback, even though we’re not even in the middle of August! This is going to be one fabulous year for the farmers of the Zinder area!
As for the trail ride, Sheba and Sahara raced most of the way home, spurring each other all the way through. I love that dog, and the horse!
And here’s your close-up on the gigantic yet still growing millet plants for the Zinder area. From August 4th, 2012. Hope you enjoyed!
15 users commented in " The Healin Jirgi Trail "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a TrackbackThe rains have been good to all of you. Providing the lush growth, a lake and all that millet. Good to see Sheba on the watch.
Det är så annorlunda att se Niger så grönt, men vad vackert det är! Det är ju vackert även i torka, men det hade vart roligt att någon gång se live i all denna grönska. Hoppas!
What a beautiful lake!
A little water makes all the difference in making the land productive. We see the same thing here in Utah.
The dogs are certainly having fun in the water.
So happy to see such good crops already!
That lake looks delightful.
Calling by from Our World Tuesday, what lovely photos you share of your piece of the world, particularly the fields of sweetcorn.
Great post!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
Fabulous shots!
What a nice world you have there:)
I get it why you like this place so much… it’s beautiful!
It’s also great that you get to go there by horse and with your dogs. Oh and your horses are so beautiful!!!
Good to know to that the millet is growing lots!
Hello Esther! Those waving green grasses and millet are a sight to behold. I just read that Tabita is 7 already – where does the time go? Your animals look like they’re healthy and energetic, too. I’m glad all is well in Zinder.
The grassy waterways remind me of the Everglades in Florida…they look so lush and green!
It’s great that the millet farmers will have such a good crop this year! We’re having a terrible drought throughout the western and middle United States this year. The corn crops are dying in large areas of the midwest. There are forest and brush fires going on in all the western states, the worst in decades.
Hi there sweet!
So glad you left me a line in comments!
I tracked ya back…to a beautiful rain season of gorgeous Millet, wow! Fantastic to hear farmer’s bounty will be good too.
You look marvelous and that pond was neat! I’d be riding there a lot too.
Love to the herd and hounds!
Must be the wet season there, beautiful pics..:-)
wonderful photos!! the millet looks especially handsome! love the grasses by/in the lake, too!
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