Photographs of Onaqui Wild Horses Taken in March 2017

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In reviewing the photographs I have taken of the Onaqui herd of wild horses in 2017 I noticed I have not posted photographs of my trip in March.  As you can see, most of the horses have their winter fur and winter facial hair.  It was a long and cold winter for this herd, but as you can also see by these photographs that there are plenty of new foals this year.

The clouds were amazing.  When I see the contrast between white clouds and blue sky or storm I immediately see the photograph in Black and White.  That happened several times on this trip and I really like some of the black and white renderings.

I am working on another set of selected photographs that I will put in a tab called “Fine Art”.  Hope to have it done next week.  Enjoy the hot summer!

 

Latest Photographs of Onaqui Herd – Wild Horses

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Another great trip to Utah’s West desert to photograph this wonderful herd of wild horses.  I worry every trip out that the herd has been rounded up.  With so many foals this year they are really multiplying quickly.  I have herd rumors that the BLM will be using PZP on this herd rather than rounding them up and taking them off to holding pens.

I am no expert on any of this, but PZP seems like a better alternative than simply rounding them up and shipping them to massive holding pens for the rest of their lives (or until they are slaughtered).

The main watering trough that this herd uses regularly was dry!  I did find them nearby, but they were moving to an area that I have never seen them in throughout the 7 years I have been photographing them.  I hope to get back to them in a few weeks to see what has happened.  I will keep you posted.

Wild Horse Photographs – Black & White

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Here are some black & white photographs from my trip to the Onaqui herd of wild horses in late May.  We found the herd in two locations.  One closer to Dugway and one group at the main watering hole southwest of Simpson Springs.  Lots of new foals.  That is a concern.  With the herd growing so rapidly, the BLM will likely consider a round-up.  I personally believe this is not the best way to manage herd growth.  It is certainly a poor choice for those rounded up.  They are doomed to spend the rest of their lives in a holding pen with thousands of other horses.

Wild Horse Photography – Fight

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In this post of my wild horse photography you will see a series of photographs I shot a few weeks ago in Utah’s west desert.  In this series a roan stallion spots a black stallion that is “courting” his mare.  The chase is on.  When the roan finally catches the black stallion he almost takes the black stallion to the ground.  Then the black stallion gets his moment when he is able to pull off a solid kick to the throat of the roan.  This herd of wild horses along the old Pony Express trail near Dugway, Utah is such a treasure.  My biggest concern is how quickly they are growing in number.  I don’t believe the BLM has had a roundup of this herd for several years.  There must be near twenty new foals from this year!  I hope they can find an alternative to rounding up many of the herd and carting them off to huge pens in the mid-west.  I have seen the effects on those left behind and it is not a pretty thing.  Stallions that lost their mares and family band are never the same.  The BLM is certainly facing a difficult management task and I hope reasonable compromises can be found.

 

 

 

Sheep in Onaqui HMA – Wild Horses in Utah

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Herd of sheep grazing on BLM range in Utah’s west desert.

This is a photograph I took of a herd of sheep in April 2017.  The Onaqui herd of wild horses are frequently seen in this spot and in the hills just above the sheep.  I still did not capture all of the sheep that were in this valley.  Two huge white sheepdogs were at my car door and I was unable to get out of the car to photograph all of the sheep.  By comparison, I would guess the total number of horses in the Onaqui Herd Management Area (HMA) is less than 180 right now.

If you click on the photograph it will take you to a larger panoramic video to get a better appreciation of how many sheep are in the photograph.

 

Onaqui Herd – Wild Horses – December

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Every time to get out to photograph this herd of wild horses I am inspired by them.  I wish I had the time to photograph these magnificent creatures every day.

On this trip it was as cold as I have seen it in Utah’s West Desert.  It was 13 degrees just after sunset.  The lighting was amazing!  We were lucky enough to spot the herd (it was HUGE) many miles from the main road.  The lighting was good when we got there but became better and better the later it got.  Another amazing opportunity to spend time with them….

Colorful Utah Desert – Onaqui Herd – Wild Horses of Utah

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Here are some photographs I took this spring when the Utah Desert was as colorful as I have ever seen it.  The Onaqui herd seemed to be in great shape, with foals just starting to be born.  To see the desert now, you would never believe it was this colorful.  The plant that is such a brilliant orange is called Globe Mallow or desert mallow.  It is native to Utah.

Newest Photography of Wild Horses in Utah

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I recently put together a photography book of over 50 images of this wonderful herd of wild horses in Utah.  It turned out AWESOME.  If anyone is interested in purchasing one, let me know.

These are some of the images in the book.  Enjoy…

Latest Photography of Wild Horses – Onaqui Herd – Utah Wild Horses

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Here are some photographs of wild horses from my latest visit to the Onaqui Herd.  As you can see from photograph 17, one of the colts has broken its leg some time ago.  A person I ran into last week said the break is 1  1/2 years old.  The colt seems to be able to keep up with the herd, and seems quite healthy.  I have included photographs of a small family band that seems to keep to itself, never integrating with either large herd in the area.  That band has a new pinto foal that has very beautiful markings, and a lot of white.  All of my wild horse photography is available for purchase.  I can also print custom (5×7) folding “thank-you cards”, calendars, mouse pads etc.  All photographs are available in full color or can be tinted to your liking.  I print on Epson archival paper or canvas using Epson archival inks.