Photo Of The Week – 03/30/13

A group of Salt Wells wild horses take off over a rise (Wyoming). These are some of the beautiful horses in danger of being permanently removed from their rangeland homes. You can read more about it here: http://www.thecloudfoundation.org/news-events-and-media/press-releases/326-fed-l-government-plans-to-eliminate-wild-horses-from-2-million-acres-of-wyoming-public-land-to-satisfy-livestock-industry

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Young Bachelor Stallion, “Pocket”

(June, 2010) Just as we dropped off a hill and into a gorgeous valley area within the Salt Wells HMA, we sighted our first horse way off in the distance. Our first trip to this area and already we spotted a horse – a good sign.

This is BIG country. He looked so small against the vast landscape.

We pulled off on the side of the road, I grabbed my camera and started making my way out to see this solitary horse. As I did, he started moving in my direction.

I was surprised at how willingly he was coming towards me. It doesn’t happen very often. I decided to stay where I was. I steadied my monopod in the dirt and watched his approach through my lens.

He was definitely interested. He'd picked up his pace.

A handsome young bachelor stallion. Hi boy.

I was taken aback a bit at just how close he came to me. Not actually fearful, but certainly cautious. He was a wild horse afterall. I knew I needed to stay out of kicking and striking range just in case he got “a wild hair.”

Just so you know, this is too close. I'm backing up in this photo.

Well, maybe this boy has seen his share of people – I just didn’t know, but I wasn’t going to take chances with him. He still startled and spooked at some of my movements.

I started back towards the Jeep. He followed me making wide circles, stopping and looking at me with his sleepy, puppy dog eyes. That’s when I laughed and asked him if he just wanted to get in my pocket and come with me. “Pocket” became our reference to this stallion. It seemed fitting.

Just like another stud colt we observed at this HMA, (Firecracker) Pocket seemed young to be all alone. Maybe he was just craving a little company. I continued to talk to him and he continued to respond. I’d never had an interaction quite like this one.

When we finally decided to venture on, Pocket followed me all the way back to the Jeep playfully kicking up as he jumped across the bar ditch and onto the road.

Little show off. Look at you. Aren’t you something?!

I had visions of him running after us like a dog, but of course he didn’t. I’m such a sap. My heart ached a little as he got smaller in the rearview mirror. It had been a special morning with this curious, young horse. I was grateful and sad at the same time.

If he wasn’t rounded up last fall, I wonder what he’ll be like when I see him next year as an older and wiser stallion.

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Photo Of The Week – 9/1/10

Salt Wells HMA mares

Healthy, beautiful mares from the Salt Wells HMA near Rock Springs, Wyoming. Despite receiving thousands of hand delivered letters against this roundup, the BLM will proceed as usual in removing these magnificent animals from their rangelands beginning in October.

http://www.blm.gov/wy/st/en/info/news_room/2010/august/27rfo-gather.html

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(Photos are for viewing purposes only. Images are copyright protected and owned solely by Pam Nickoles Photography. No reproduction or downloading permitted. Feel free to share the link, not the images. To share, click on the blog entry title. The permanent link will be displayed in your browser’s address bar. Copy this address to share.)