Photo journal
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Wildlife Bighorn Moose Birds Weasels Wild Horses LandscapesJul. 31, 2025
6 days ago
Whenever I'm driving out of Sand Wash Basin -- especially if it's early in the morning -- I'm always on the lookout for burrowing owls. Despite their small size, they're easy to spot when they're in the air because of their distinct flying style and relatively large wings. It was hot and dry and I had given up on seeing horses for the morning. Just before I reached the main highway, I spotted something flying near the road and I instantly knew it was an owl. The smoke-filled morning light gave things a reddish tint, and luckily the owls stayed put long enough for a handful of shots. If I didn't have an early appointment with the mechanic, I might have stayed longer and attempted more shots. There were at least 5 of them in the family and they were all very active and vocal with each other, which made for a fun encounter (albeit brief).
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Jul. 22, 2025
15 days ago
On this second day of the trip to Sand Wash Basin, I tried to get an early start before the heat became too much. It turned out that the heat wouldn't end the day, but rather a mechanical issue with my 4x4 would be the decisive factor. Before getting stranded in the desert sagebrush I was fortunate enough to cross paths with a small group that featured a blue-eyed beauty and a gorgeous black roan foal. I'm always hopeful that they'll walk or run up to me for a closer look, but they decided to pass me by. I headed on down the road and could hear something misbehaving with a wheel, so I decided to stop. I'm glad that I didn't push it because I am 100% sure that serious damage and potentially a major fire would have occurred. A $9, but very important, part had worn out and it would take 12 hours before I was back in action (which was pretty good considering the remoteness of where I had to stop). Still a fun day, albeit brief and with a major curve-ball that upended the day.
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Jul. 21, 2025
16 days ago
One of my "goals" (if that's the right way to put it) with wild horses has been to breakthrough in the same type of way that I've experienced with moose and bighorn. Close-ups and trust are one thing, but what I've secretly wanted is for a wild horse to trust me enough that it will lay down next to me. Moose have done this repeatedly and the bighorn herd that I regularly photograph in winter has also shown this level of trust, but before today I've not had the same thing happen with wild horses.
I arrived again in Sand Wash Basin, and as always, I wondered if any of them would come right up to me. The very first opportunity on this trip turned out to be the most memorable.
I had been driving for several hours from central Colorado and was ready to get out of the car by the time I reached the basin. I noticed a few small groups of horses in the distance, so I just decided to park the car and walk. I wasn't sure which lens to take (the 500mm long reach or the 100-300mm for wider and close-up flexibility). I forgot my cell phone but immediately remembered it ... but decided to just leave it in the car.
I never know in retrospect how different choices might have made things better or worse, but I went with the 500mm because the horses were all so far away and I had no expectation that any of them would run up to me so quickly.
About a half mile into the hike towards one group of horses to my left, I noticed a few ears perk up on the hilltop to my right. I immediately took a seat and all of the images shown here are another one of my "no step" encounters where I do not move an inch for the entire sequence. As this is also my 500mm, there is no change in focal length (no zooming in or out).
At first just two dark brown horses appeared... and then a third in white. I could immediately see the signs of curiosity with strong notes of threat assessment. The smallest of the three led the way. Trotting then pausing... galloping then pausing again. A third horse casually followed.
Closer and closer they came. I could see them all quickly relax. Soon they resumed grazing, which is one of the main signals that I like to see. They were close enough to know that I wasn't a threat, and trusting enough to lower their heads while grazing and drifting my direction. It was at this point that I (partly) wished that I had my cell phone and/or a wider lens. Because the horses were now ~40 feet away after having been ~700 feet away just a moment prior, my 500mm lens was now too much for the situation. But, changing lenses wasn't an option. So, for better or worse, I did what I could with the big lens.
Then, it happened... well sort of. My dream situation is a sit-down-and-hang-out type of encounter where one or more horses stays with me for a good amount of time. I was elated to see what happened next. The white horse started showing more interest in me than the others. Then all of a sudden he laid down and began to roll in the dirt right by me! He was maybe 20-25 ft away, and I knew that there was no way for me to frame his full body in the shot. I did what I could to capture the brief moment, and thankfully I didn't blow the opportunity entirely. It was pretty tough to keep his face in the shot since he was so very close while unpredictably moving all around, but I love some of his glances and the unique perspective. I've never been so close to a wild horse where they did something like this. While he didn't sit with me for long, I'm thrilled for the baby-step towards a more intimate encounter. This was very much a first for me.
The mustang showed no stress, no concern, just being himself and trusting that I was a passive part of the landscape. He stood back up, shook off the dirt and grass -- and then went back to grazing. Slowly all three drifted away.
I had only been at the basin for a few minutes (minus the drive time to this particular spot), and was immediately greeted in spectacular fashion. Sometimes I feel like I should just pack up and leave when something so good happens so fast, but I stayed a couple more days (with mixed results).
The light wasn't all that great because of cloud cover, but those clouds made it cooler and really helped with heatwaves and sharp contrasts. I hope that this close-up roller isn't the last time something like this happens. Maybe I'll start using the wider angle lens more, but it's tough to use anything else when the 500mm performs so well in many of this unpredictable situations that are typically further away. To be continued...
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Jul. 15, 2025
22 days ago
I arrived back in Sand Wash Basin Herd Management Area the prior evening with mixed feelings about where I should plant myself for the night and subsequently the following morning. At 154,000 acres, it's a big fence-less expanse where horses can be practically anywhere at any given moment. Having arrived so late, I didn't have an opportunity for any scouting and I can never be sure what location will yield the best opportunity. But, I have a few favorite spots and so I decided to try and duck down out of the winds a bit in one of the many valleys.
I arrived just as the sun was setting around 9pm. Nighthawks were flying up and down the valley and several flew just a few feet away as I prepared to camp. I took it as a good sign. Hours later in the middle of the night, I awoke to a noise that at first sounded like a badger. Thankfully there was no cause for alarm, and it was actually several horses grazing just a few feet away. On the moonless night, I could only see their faint silhouettes and I went back to sleep hoping that they would still be nearby in the morning.
Once the sun came up and I was sufficiently awake to get into motion, I looked around as best I could, but there were no horses within view. The tall sagebrush and undulating terrain were hiding several groups, but I had no idea at first.
I spotted a small group of horses about 3/4 of a mile away, and I began walking their direction at a decent pace. Perhaps I was walking too fast, or perhaps they were feeling skittish but about six horses that I hadn't seen flushed out of the sagebrush and ran away. Wink, from last September, and her partner were among the horses. She stopped and seemed to contemplate turning back around, but surprisingly she snorted at me like horses and other animals can do sometimes when sounding an alarm. She and her partner along with the other horses all decided to head up the hill and out of the valley.
I felt like I had spoiled a great chance of photographing them again, but there were still the other horses in the distance that were undisturbed. At the same time, another group of five horses began descending into the valley and they were slowly heading my direction.
I decided to just stay put and not risk spooking this fresh opportunity. They soon noticed me and I recognized one of the leading mustangs -- it was the same gray male that had fought Wink's mustang in front of me last September. I had seen him at least one other time, and he definitely has one of the stronger personalities out in Sand Wash Basin.
Before long, the gray roan mustang with striking black mane and tail became acutely interested in me. He perked up and began trotting my direction intently. The other four horses followed. Closer and closer they came. The gray mustang seemed like he was curious but also posturing to show his territorial strength. Several of his mates weren't so confident and they worked themselves up into a brief frenzy as they galloped past me.
Kicking up dust and creating a bit of unnecessary drama, they circled past me and perched up on the slope just above the sagebrush valley. They quickly calmed down, but I could see in them some of the same nerves from the last several horses that had run up and out of the valley. I decided to walk away from them to help demonstrate that they were fine to graze in the valley. A nighthawk flew past me and perhaps it was another good omen.
I could see a positive response out of them, and they soon relaxed and returned to grazing. After a few more minutes past, I could again see the gray mustang showing a lot of interest in me, except this time the posturing and territorial nature of his attitude was gone. Now it seemed entirely about their curious side. I had established a bit of trust, and they decided to come over to me again.
I stayed put and watched as the gray mustang walked this time directly to me. His mates again followed. Eventually they would all be within ten feet. For several minutes they all grazed very close by. They reassured each other with gentle touches, and it was clear that they had total trust in each other... and even me. Their faces and hooves all came together just a few feet away as they enjoyed the green vegetation.
My long lens was the only one that I brought (besides the cell phone), and they were too close to photograph at such close distance. I took a few minutes of video while they were nearest, and eventually they continued on their path.
Satisfied with the two close opportunities with them, I decided to pack it up and leave them behind. It was a great little encounter and another one that taught me several little things about wild horses. Hopefully I'll get another chance to see them again.
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Jul. 04, 2025
33 days ago
While most of the marmots were out enjoying fresh spring greens, a long-tailed weasel earned its reputation as a voracious hunter. The weasel raided the marmot colony and took at least four young back to its burrow. The largest marmot was almost certainly bigger than the weasel, but young marmots are no match for a weasel when the adult marmots aren't there to fend off an attack. Sad day for the marmots, but a bounty for the weasel that was likely feeding her young. It was pretty incredible to watch the speed, agility and hunting prowess of such a small creature.
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Jun. 23, 2025
44 days ago
Just as I was wrapping up my hike, I heard something big walking in the water... but the forest was far too dense for me to see it. I was nearly certain that it was a moose, and sure enough I spotted a pair of young (likely 2 year old) twin female moose. The first moose was either spooked by the faint outline of me that she could see, or perhaps they were already moving it along to somewhere else. I didn't have a good shot through the trees and I could hear that they were moving out of sight quickly. So, I tried to quickly and quietly get to a better view of them. The first moose was long gone, but the second stuck around just long enough for a couple pictures. It could have been a great set of shots had I arrived at that spot a few minutes earlier.. but that's just how it goes. Nice to see them out and about.
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Jun. 12, 2025
55 days ago
On the final afternoon of my return visit to northern Nevada, I almost went out of my way to go the opposite direction of the horses. I knew that the trio was grazing about a mile or so south of the lake, but I wanted to sit by the water and so I walked to the lake instead. After hiking a mile and a half, I picked a spot on the west side of the lake and I began to photo a few of the shore birds. I'm simultaneously completely surprised and also not surprised at all by what happened next. The horses must have taken notice and decided to join me. They didn't run at full speed, but their direction was deliberate and unmistakable. Of all the spots along the shore to visit, they again walked right up to me. Perhaps I was just a novelty in their simple lives, perhaps they liked the company or perhaps it was something else. Regardless of the reason in their minds, I am fascinated and bewildered that they would walk over a mile and repeatedly join me.
On this afternoon, they walked right up before heading on past to the lake to quench their thirst. Shortly after, they walked right back and grazed around me. The light was fading, and it was time for me to say good-bye -- perhaps for the last time. I'm not sure if I will ever see them again, but it was great to see that they are still thriving in their isolated island in the northern desert of Nevada.
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Jun. 12, 2025
55 days ago
With the seasonal lake filled to the brim, I couldn't resist the opportunity with the horses and the water. Their reaction to me yesterday was somewhat reassuring, but by no means a guarantee. They had a lot more caution than last October's visit, and of course I could only hope that they'd come back around me.
I saw the horses south of the lake, but I decided to head away from them and walk to the water instead. Perhaps the horses always go to the water in the morning, or perhaps they decided to come over because I was there -- but in short order all three horses started heading over to me. Led by the young stallion with the rust-colored mane, they trotted over from well over 1,000 feet away.
The attitude from them on this day was a bit different than the day before and again much different than last October. There was a curiosity, but it lacked the same confidence or passion. They almost felt lonely.. and they sought me out to at least have something exciting to interact with. But, a nervousness also lurked beneath the surface. The young leader wanted to come close, but he would spook himself at times. They came to within 15 feet at first and then trotted a short distance away shortly after. With the position of the sun and their comfort level in mind, I decided to walk to the other side of the water so that I could photo them in a better position... even if much further away.
The reflections were great, and the visiting birds were a nice bonus. The American Avocet was the most colorful and notable bird in the bunch with it's long/curved beak and elegant plumage. The heat waves on the cloudless day took over in short order, so I kept this session fairly brief. I went back to the shade of the campsite and would return for one last visit near sunset when the horses would trot directly up to me once more.
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Jun. 11, 2025
56 days ago
In hopes of seeing the trio of wild horses and the owls from October, I decided to return to northern Nevada where I had last spotted them. It's an extremely remote area and arguably too hot already, but I wanted to give it a shot since I was just a few hours away.
Recent rains made for a few questionable spots in the road, but I was able to work my way back to the exact same spot. The dry lake from October was now filled with water and the surrounding brush was a brighter green for miles around. My instinct was that I would find the horses again, but I really had no idea what to expect. If I was able to find them, I wondered if they'd react the same way as before.
When I was about two miles from the lake, I noticed the unmistakable outline of horses down below. I stopped the car and grabbed the binoculars. Sure enough, it was the same three horses. I could clearly identify their markings from a long ways away, but I could also see that they were reacting to the car by turning away and trotting the other direction. I slowly resumed my advance down the road. The rolling hills took me out of their view momentarily, and when I reappeared on the next hill, the horses again started trotting away.
This was a different reaction already, and I wasn't willing to risk disturbing them with my car. I had driven a long long ways, and there wasn't a soul around for miles and miles. There was no reason to drive closer, when I could just park and walk. I figured that I had a much better chance on foot given what I was seeing in this initial reaction, despite being nearly a mile away.
I walked a half mile or so, and the horses could clearly see me. They showed a bit of interest at least, but they remained mostly focused on grazing. I drifted slightly closer as they did the same. I eventually picked a spot and just let them make all the moves from there out. I was able to see that a few big changes had occurred since the last visit. The leader had changed. Instead of the larger stallion with the black mane leading the trio, now the younger rust-colored stallion was dictating their direction. He had gained a lot of weight and his mane was much longer than before.
He and the others came up to greet me eventually, and it was a great sign of what was to come. They might not have raced up to me like before, but they were unquestionably curious about me. The harsh light and heatwaves were going to be tough, but I was optimistic about the potential with them again.
It had been a long day of driving and so I kept this session brief. The horses watched on as I walked back to the car. We'd pick back up where we left off the next morning.
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Jun. 08, 2025
59 days ago
Less than a mile from the East Yellowstone entrance, I was fortunate to catch a quick glimpse of this impressive bear before it headed on up the mountain and out of sight. The roads were busy with cars hustling in and out of the park as is expected this time of year. Thankfully, there were attentive drivers as the bear began to cross and the four or so cars in front of me quickly slowed. When I realized it was a bear, I drove off the road entirely into the sloped median. I was surprised that everyone else continued on, but then there I was parked in an awkward spot and I knew the bear was close. The only way to see uphill was through the sunroof, so I opened it entirely and scanned the higher terrain by the road. I slowly drove forward and I was shocked that it was perhaps only 80ish feet away. The steep slope also put him nearly 40 ft. above me. The slanted road and open roof put me on a great line of sight, but I had to rush to grab the camera and snap a shot before the moment was over. The bear looked directly into the camera as I raised it out of the car. I went to look through the viewfinder and !!! my lens cap was on !!! I very quickly removed it, but the slight delay cost me the money shot. The bear turned to his right and I wasn't able to get the sharpest picture of his face unfortunately. It was a very exciting moment, and I was perhaps a little toooo excited. I was lucky to even have a chance at a shot, but I definitely missed a great opportunity. Hoping to see another one soon.
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