Fancy Free

Eastern Nevada – USA
(2010.JUN.27)

Black Horses Challenge on Just The Horse
(2011.FEB.01)

I am terribly unhappy to report that these three beautiful horses are no longer to be found on their native range; were probably taken during the recent BLM horse gather on their turf.

▲ Just The Horse
(2011.FEB.10)
▲ Favourite Animals
(2011.NOV.05)
▲ Your Country’s Best
(2010.SEP.04)
▲ Rural Urban, Wild And Free
(2010.SEP.03)
▲ The Wild West Show
(2010.JUL.30)
▲ #3
(2010.JUL.)
▲ Rural Around The Globe
(2010.JUN.30)

A friend invited me to tag along on an errand to the east, somewhere in the remote high desert near the Nevada-Utah state line.

Anybody that invites me anywhere, knows that means my camera is locked and loaded, and if I am going to be a happy passenger, there might be MANY stops along the way.

We accomplished our mission in due course and on the return, I spied off to the east, what I believed to be one – No! Wait! — Two black horses, about three miles away, and standing near an old dirt track in the white alkali sand.

Did I want to try for them?

Uh …. Yeah …..!

We crawled along the ragged old track, not even sure, at first, that what we saw truly was horses. As we got nearer, it became obvious there were three of them … watching us coming toward them.

Just within shooting range, my driver stopped and cut the engine. I shot and shot, expecting the ponies to bolt at any moment. They talked things over, first gathering up into a tight little circle of three, and milling around for a while.

I got out of the truck, braced and shot. They didn’t run! A few more paces ….. still, they did not run away! I decided to try a tactic that has worked for me, before. Instead of trying to approach them directly, I walked a parallel, getting closer by walking “away”. (I don’t suppose that makes sense, and I’ll try to describe it more clearly, once my adrenalin levels go back to normal.)

My “technique” is to walk a few paces, shoot a few frames … walk a few more steps. Most often, if I get to within a few hundred yards, the horses will either bolt and run out of range, or they’ll “casually” step off the other direction. Let’s face it: there is no sneaking up on them, and if they decide to run, no point my trying to keep up; they are the wind. Their curiosity is about the only thing I have going for me.

These guys … were curious and I think they were playful teasers, as well. Instead of running away, they began trotting in my direction. I am aware of the need to be cautious around any wild animals, and that even seemingly peaceful horses can be dangerous, if threatened.

Well, apparently, they weren’t threatened by me
(probably thought I was a cow).

Now, mind you, they were looking huge and swift in my viewfinder. So much so, that I peered over the camera, just to be sure of the distance between us. I made a decision that if any of them got close enough to fill the frame alone, I would retreat.

The trio sauntered up and cantered by … I still had TWO in the viewer, and I kept shooting! They came to within a few yards of me, arced and trotted merrily past, then came to stop on a ridge, looking back at me. (I think I heard them snicker.)

They stood there for the longest time, allowing me to admire them against the backdrop of those primordeal-looking mountains

I could have spent the rest of the afternoon watching them …. but decided to embrace the blessing I have received, and leave them to their little piece of free range.

I suppose it’s superstitious, in a way … I think I can save some for later, if I don’t “use it all up” at once. I try not to wear out my welcome on the range. If I leave in peace, then perhaps I will be allowed to return again.