It had been a beautifully quiet morning in October on 2021. I had made my way high up near the base of the mountain. I had found the north herd just after sunrise, still resting, and as the morning went on they had spread out quietly all around me. There had been no one else in sight and we all had been enjoying the peace, me especially. It is an incredible and indescribable experience spending time like this with these wild ones.
Suddenly, a military transport plane flew over and as it banked hard, the props roared. I guess it sounded too much like the helicopters from the brutal roundup just a couple of months previously. One horse spooked, and then it began! In an instant, the entire herd was on the run towards the mountains. Most were still above me but those who had spread out below came running towards me, passing within a few yards.Â
It was sudden and unexpected on such a quiet morning. I managed to get a couple of shots, including this one, but they were quickly too close for the long lens that I use on the range. Even without the photos, this memory will forever be a part of my soul. The sound of the thundering hooves, the wind as they sped past, these feelings will never leave me!Â
You never know what will happen when you are out with the wild ones. You have to always be alert, and prepared for anything. And never intentionally get too close.Â