Onaqui Wild Horse in Blizzard

Onaqui Wild Horses in SNOW

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For me, winter is the most difficult time to photograph the Onaqui.  They don’t usually need to use the watering holes, and they are frequently found miles away from the main roads and depending on conditions, sometimes impossible to get to.

The most difficult photographs in the winter are when you are lucky enough to locate the herd, and then photograph them in a snowstorm.  It is my personal “holy grail” to get photographs of the Onaqui Wild Horses in a raging blizzard. 

I headed out to the West Desert every opportunity I could when there was even a possibility of snow.  If you get there too late, it is too snowy to even locate the herd.  Even if you do locate them are the roads passable especially given the fact that it is snowing!  Well, I had several amazing trips with snowstorms, and luckily we were even able to get back home without getting stuck in the mud…  Here are some of the thousands of snow images from this winter.

Onaqui Wild Horse Photography – 6 Feb

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Although I have photographed the Onaqui wild horses several times this winter, I just don’t seem to find the time to post images. Last week I spent the afternoon photographing the herd. Never did find the majority of the North herd but did find a splintered group South of Davis Mountain. Then we set out to try and find the South herd. Finally found them very late, just as the sun was setting. We stayed late and photographed till well after dark. Thank you Lightroom for your amazing “Denoise” capability. Many are shot as ISO 16,000 and they really have a unique look about them because the contrast is so low. I really like that look!

By the way, the young horse with the AMAZING markings is a recent addition to the Onaqui. (I think she is a filly).  The mom and her showed up a few weeks ago.  The thought is that they came up from the Swasey herd West of Delta.  I hope that they stay with the Onaqui!!!

More Winter Photographs Of The Onaqui Wild Horses

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Not a particularly long shoot, but quite eventful. The black colt was born just a few hours earlier. The stallion and mare brought the little one down to the herd to introduce the colt, and it really caused a ruckus/stampede! Luckily the colt was safe and we now have a new member of the Onaqui Herd!

Winter Photographs of Onaqui Wild Horses

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Some of the recent photographs of the Onaqui and the West Desert of Utah in the winter. The horses seem to be doing just fine in spite of the fact that the BLM wasn’t able to keep water in the sheep-trough all fall! This herd is amazing!

Favorite Fall Photo’s of Onaqui Herd

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We have photographed the Onaqui wild horses several times this fall, but I haven’t posted images to my website. Too many other projects to finish up before winter.

Unfortunately, another wild horse was needlessly shot and killed last week. This is the third wild horse shot and killed this year. Rewards for information leading to the arrest of those responsible are now up over $30,000. It is hard to imagine why a human being would decide to shoot a beautiful, defenseless animal that trusts humans enough to be within 50 feet! I’ve spent the last two days driving throughout the range the South herd uses looking for additional dead horses. There were a few horses still missing from the South herd. Thankfully I didn’t find any evidence of additional deaths, and it looks like all horses might now be accounted for.

Enjoy my favorite fall photographs!

Photographs of Onaqui Wild Horses – Aug – Great Sunset

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Lately every visit to the Onaqui seems to be better than the last! This week we found the North herd at the North base of Davis Mountain. We spent a few hours with them and left to find the South herd. we found them near Simpson Springs and photographed them till late. Then we decided to go back to the North herd to see where they were watering. Wow! What a treat! They had moved to the main road and were headed to the trough watering hole just as the sun was setting! We were in Heaven! Another fantastic day with this magnificent herd.

Onaqui Wild Horses – Late July

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Another great visit to the Onaqui wild horses in Utah’s West Desert. Found both herds and despite the near 100 degrees temps we had a great shoot, especially when the North herd left the watering hole to graze. Can’t wait to get back out there soon.

two wild horse mustangs in a huge fight

HOT Trip To Onaqui In July

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It has been almost too hot to visit the Onaqui these past few weeks. We decided to forego the heat and headed out to visit the herd. Luckily we found the North herd watering at the Sheep Trough. We photographed them for a while and then headed to find the South herd and to cool off in the air-conditioned vehicle. We spotted them on their way to water at Simpson Springs. We got to Simpson Springs just ahead of them coming in. It was a great sight, but using a long lens really amplified the “heat waves” destroying any sharp images.

The herd soon left Simpson Springs and we then drove back to the North Herd. Unfortunately they were now grazing where not roads were close so we called it a day and headed back home. Overall a good but short trip. The Onaqui never disappoint.

Onaqui Wild Horses – 27 June

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Wow! What a trip to photograph the Onaqui herd. The skies were fantastic all day long, lighting was just perfect. Even ran into an old friend (human, not horse). One of the best trips of the year. Apologies in advance for all of the images, just couldn’t thin them out any more.

The HUGE bitemark image is a photograph of Genesis.  He is part of Moondrinkers band.  In fact, Genesis is the son of Moondrinker and it was Moondrinker that bit all the way through his hide.  Moondrinker had Genesis by the hide and pushed his son for nearly 30 yards running at full steam through a small ravine!  I wish I had better images of the actual fight, but those images didn’t make the cut.  Both of them drew blood!

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Onaqui 18 June

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I have several trips to the Onaqui that I have not yet posted, but finally got these done of a trip we did last week to the Onaqui. We found both the North and the South herds. I hope to get the other trips done and posted soon.

Sorry for all of the photo’s. It was a very nice trip with a lot of “keepers”.