Photographs of Onaqui Wild Horses – Aug – Great Sunset

Posted on by

IF IMAGES DO NOT SHOW IN YOUR CELL PHONE, CLICK ON THE TITLE

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

Posted on by

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

Posted on by

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

Posted on by

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!

If you don’t see images on your cellphone, click on title.

Onaqui 18 June

Posted on by

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”.

Onaqui In Winter

Posted on by

Winter is the most difficult time to photograph the Onaqui Herd. Last year they spent nearly the entire winter months tucked away in an area that was inaccessible. We have gone out this winter several times in an attempt to photograph them in a snowstorm. There are several factors working against this: 1. It is difficult to find them if the clouds are low. 2. If there is going to be a storm, can you even find where the her is. 3. If you can find them, are the roads too muddy to get to them. 4. Are they too high on the mountain to get to.

Luckily we have had a few successes. These images are from two separate trips. We were lucky to find them, and the roads were very muddy but we didn’t get stuck. Looking forward to a few more trips before spring.

The Year For Sunflowers

Posted on by

A friend just reminded me that I said in a prior post I had more images of the Onaqui in sunflowers. I must say that in the thirteen years I have been photographing the Onaqui horses I have never seen this many sunflowers. It must have been due to the winter and spring weather we had.

Hope you enjoy them….

Winter Wonderland – Onaqui Wild Horses

Posted on by

The Onaqui Herd never disappoints (assuming you can find them)! Last winter the herd stayed in an area that was inaccessible (too much deep snow to even hike the five miles to reach them). Several trips this winter it was too foggy to even find the herd. Other times they were too far away to get to. But sometimes the conditions are just right and you have a trip of a lifetime! These images are from a couple of different trips and this is only half of the “keepers”.

Let’s hope we can continue to get to them this winter….

North & South Onaqui At Watering Holes – Late September

Posted on by

Another glorious trip to see the Onaqui. Luckily we were able to be there when each herd came to the watering holes.

Great Blue Heron Visits Onaqui Wild Horses

Posted on by

We had an OUTSTANDING visit to the Onaqui herd last week. As usual, the desert is once again different than I have ever seen it before. There have always been sunflowers this time of year, especially along the roads. This year the sunflowers were more prolific than ever. It just so happened that the North Herd was right in the middle of a huge patch of sunflowers. We spent several hours photographing them. I have not yet processed all of them so I will only post one photo of the herd in sunflowers as a teaser. The remainder of the photographs in this post are of the Onaqui Horses and a Great Blue Heron. We have seen many different birds that you normally would not expect to see in the desert (geese, ducks and Bald Eagles), but this Great Blue Heron was a first for us.

It seemed like this might have been the first time the herd had seen a heron as well. I first noticed the heron when several of the herd had their ears perked up and were all looking at something. Then the herd would get too close and the heron would fly…scaring the herd. It would fly off a bit, land, and the would process would repeat. Here are a few of the dozens of photographs I took of this unique encounter. More sunflowers with the Onaqui to be posted soon.

Unfortunately I have to “downsize”  every photograph I post here so the quality is not great.  If I post full-sized images the page will take forever to load and Google will not be happy.

If you don’t see images click on my website title.