Pat & Sharon O'Toole: Oscar Payano: Four Seasons

Oscar Payano is the sheepherder who has worked for us the longest--about fifteen years. His father, Santiago, worked for fifteen years, then retired, but not before he brought Oscar into our operation. Oscar is returning soon for his sixth contract. Like his father before him, Oscar is a true sheepman. When we go to sheep camp, we know we'll find Oscar and his sheep in good order. He has such experience, and such knowledge of sheep and sheepherding, that he is a master of his trade. Like an Olympic skier, he makes it look easy. Here are some photos of Oscar, taken in all seasons.

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Working the chute with Pequino
Shearing at Badwater

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Oscar in the rearview mirror
Muddy Mountain, Cottonwood pasture

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Tailing lambs at docking
Loco, Carbon County

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Summertime in the Medicine Bow National Forest
Forks Allotment

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Riding into camp in the fall
Upper Big Gulch, Medicine Bow National Forest

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Late fall sorting
Badwater pasture

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Moving the panels with Didi
Badwater pasture

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We had to shovel them out, winter 2007-2008
Badwater pasture
photos by Sharon O'Toole

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About Pat & Sharon O'Toole

Pat and Sharon O’Toole are ranchers in the Little Snake River Valley near Savery, Wyoming, right on the Colorado-Wyoming border. They raise cattle, sheep, horses, dogs and children. Pat “immigrated” from Florida in 1970. He attended Colorado State University, where he met Sharon when both worked for the campus newspaper. Sharon grew up on their ranch, where they live and work with her father, their daughter, son and granddaughter (soon to be grandchildren!). Pat is a “water buffalo” and has served in the Wyoming House of Representatives (1986-1992), on the President’s Western Water Policy Review Advisory Commission, and is the current President of the Family Farm Alliance, which advocates for farmers, ranchers and irrigators. Sharon is an author, poet and journalist. She writes extensively on Western issues and is a columnist for “The Shepherd” magazine. Pat and Sharon are the parents of three children: Meghan, 27; Bridget, 26; and Eamon, 20.

Pat & Sharon O'Toole

Oscar Payano: Four Seasons

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