Wild Mustang taking a dirt bath

Capturing Wild Horses: A Photographer’s Adventure

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Early last week I had a last minute appointment cancel, so I decided to make a quick trip out to photograph the wild ones.  Boy I’m glad I did!  It took me several days to finally process all of the photographs I took.  I have more “keepers” in this photo shoot than ever before.  It was very difficult to narrow them down to the 64 images I have included!  Early in the afternoon there was a lot of fighting and chasing.  Then the afternoon clouds were fantastic.  Then toward evening the horses were headed to water.  I usually get there in advance and photograph them coming in to water.  There was already a large crowd of photographers (a large tour group) at the watering hole and there was no way I was going to add mores stress to the horses.  I found a nice hill that some of the bands were coming over.  The images with spectacular light on Davis Mountain were great!  Then, near sunset I drove to where the horses were returning to the range to feed and got some amazing photographs of the horses dustin off in the golden sun!  Best shoot in a very long time.  Thank you Onaqui!!!

Onaqui Horses Running to Water – Early August

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What a LONG, HOT summer! It is difficult to appreciate just how extreme the conditions are during a long, hot summer in the West Desert. How the Onaqui not only survive, but actually THRIVE, is beyond my understanding. They have endured limited water, harassment by humans on 4-wheelers, stampeded by helicopters and gunfire and yet they are thriving, enjoying their best life! Here are a few photos from early August, much more to come from late August and early September…

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Fantastic Sunset and Stampede To Water

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We waited till we had a little cooler day and headed to the Onaqui. It was nice to be able to photograph both the North and South Herds. I have been trying to get the North herd coming off a hill on their way to water just at sunset. Every time I have tried, the herd comes in either too early or too late. Tonight was the exception!

We had to quickly position ourselves once we could see they were headed to water. The stars aligned and it was the photo opportunity of a lifetime. I have only processed the last fifteen minutes of an entire day of shooting, but I am happy with what I have processed thus far!  Best viewed on a computer screen, not on a cell phone.

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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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(on some cell phones imaged don’t show, if this is the case, click on title)

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.