Wild Horses North Dakota
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Sunday gathering
It is a rare moment when all of nature's elements-
the wildlife, landscape, light, colors, sounds, and smells-
jell together to produce a magical moment.
These moments are rare indeed and one I cannot force or expect.
I can only plan for the best, hope for the best,
and put myself out there.
See what happens. And when it does happen.....
I find that the world comes to a screeching halt and every fiber in my being is shocked back to life. Nothing else matters. It’s just me and the wildies and the vast outdoors- I am a lone witness to the drama that is about to play out in front of me.
When these moments happen, my body hums with an energy filled with joy and gratitude! I can't adequately describe this energy that bubbles inside me.
It is during these moments that I feel so very calm,
yet so very excited,
so very special,
yet so very humbled,
so very brave,
yet so very intimidated.
It is during these moments that I am turning cartwheels in my mind.
I'm dancing like no one is watching,
& shouting to the world from the mountain tops:
I LOVE YOU!
Stallion posing for me. The rich morning light accentuated his beauty.
OH BABY!
Photographing wild horses is not always filled with action and excitement, mostly because they are busy doing what horses do: graze. So when I find the horses they usually have their noses to the ground. If I want to get a shot with their heads off the ground, I need to be ready for that moment when they hear me because that may be the only time they pop their heads up. Capturing the action & interactions between them usually requires a lot of waiting and watching. Both of which I dont mind doing at all! While the horses can also give me majestic shots, standing statuesque as they gaze beyond the hills, ears perked forward, and their long mane and forelock curling ever so slightly in the breeze, it is the babies that provide the most hilarious of antics that entertain me. During one afternoon I saw that the horses were approaching the bottom of a hill that opened up into a large grazing area. I thought Id be proactive and hike up the hill, situating myself next to a lone tree standing at the top of the hill. (It's always good to have some kind of tree or bush nearby that you can run behind if needed.) Im so glad I had that tree in this particular instance! The 2 babies started running up the hill towards me! As they approached the tree, getting closer and closer to where I was situated I began to wonder what I should do! Then they quickly changed directions and made a big circle behind the tree, and back to their beginning point. Then they did this 3 or 4 more times! It was a little intimidating but exciting too! I was stuck there as it would have been unsafe for me to try to make it back down the hill without anything to get behind for safety. At times I thought they knew exactly where I was by that tree because they would run straight toward it before quickly changing directions! Were they having fun with me?!
The babies are super fun to photograph. I hope my images capture at least a smidgen of their cuteness!
I couldnt tell if he was eating or playing with these stems
Looking for his buddy
Horse heads grow out of the ground on the prairie in North Dakota
Running to join the others in the climb
They each took a turn walking or posing in front of one of my favorite spots
"get off my bumper"
He wanted to get closer to me. I kept having to back up
wakey wakey
He was framed in green and I couldnt resist capturing it
Caught in the rimlight
Baby running to catch up with Mom as they approach The Climb
Hey good lookin'
This is one my favorite shots. I hope you like it too!
Golden hour is my favorite time to shoot
Curious about me
Kind eyes right there
This image doesnt show how his coat glistened in the light
This image was taken at such a long range it isnt good quality. Id like to get a much better shot of this beauty!
The structure of the landscape in the background is one of my favorites! I was hoping the band would get in front of it. And they did!
I believe there are 18 states in the US that have wild horses. I have been to 14 of them. With the exception of a few states, I have met other photographers and local residents that have told me where to find them and their migratory habits for that time and season. I love it that I have new friends scattered all across the US, some of which I have met up with for a photography adventure. This adventure provided me with 3 new friends and I am thankful that I met them. Not only did I enjoy getting to know Jackie, Carol,and Judy, they expanded my photographic opportunities, pointing out areas where the horses can often be found. They are the ones who told me about the climb and descension the horses often make. I identify that experience, witnessing the climb and descension, as the most spectacular event I have witnessed during the past 3 years I have been photographing wild horses.
Running to the climbing spot
The Climb
In these images you will see horses from 3 different bands. The first band was in the middle of their climb when I got to the area. It was still dawn at 6AM and getting my exposure right was challenging. The other 2 bands came around 7AM and there was plenty of light by then. Im going to rough estimate that the 3 bands represented around 25-30 horses.
Run to The Climb
Processional beauty
The Descension
The first night I waited for the horses to make their descension, nothing happened. At least not before dark. But the second night was successful!
I love the textures and colors and ruggedness of the landscapes. And a beautiful horse that matches ups the level of beauty
I waited for her to look up at me to capture this white beauty in the white foliage
The colors in the buttes are astonishing!
Two young studs playing, developing their fighting skills
goodnight & goodbye
i leave my heart with you until we meet again
