If someone were to ask me what my most favorite place on this earth is, I would have to say the Pryor Mountains of Montana. There is a beauty there that no other place can match. A solace that soothes my soul. In the quiet of the mountain top, I can hear the wind whispering in the pines, the chatter of the mountain bluebirds as they flit about. The crisp mountain air is filled with the fragrance of pines as they dance in the breeze. Wildflowers in every color imaginable dazzle and beckon a closer look.
A coyote is yipping to his mate. Wild horses that move with a grace that just takes my breath away. I find myself holding my breath, mesmerized by every detail. In the stillness of the moment, all of my senses are filled. Suddenly the sound of thunder fills the air! Soon I can feel the earth tremble beneath my feet. Then over the distant hill, I see a band of wild horses coming my way.
Oh the beauty, the sheer freedom as they race across the meadow! For a moment I am lost in the moment and feel as though I am running with them across their mountain top home…
Over the past several years I have come to know and love these horses. I am honored that they have allowed me into their beautiful world. I can’t help but come back to the mountain time and again. I love every little thing about these beautiful creatures, from the little one dancing in the sunset to a band stallion taking a snooze in the morning sun. With a camera, I have set out to capture the very essence of their being. In the coming entries I will share a little more of my adventures with these amazing wild horses and how they are playing a key role in my life.
Deb,
You are doing a wonderful job of bringing the American West to the rest of the world. For those of us unable to travel to the Pryor Mountains, you have given us a beautiful glimpse of these majestic horses and their homeland.
Sandy
Thanks Sandy,
Maybe one of these days you will be able to join me when I go out to see them. Lets hope and pray there will still be wild horses left in the wild.
Deb, I am pleased to see you have taken Image and Ember into your care. My wife and I were on the Pryors a week before the unnessesary roundup took place and we hiked down to an area that Cloud and his band were roaming around to photograph what ever we could. I happened to be standing by a small clump of trees when two of the mares from the band came over to me and stood about 10 feet in front of me just looking. I was about to move back away from them when Image appeared and walk up to me. I didn’t want to really connect with him but did stick the back of my hand out away from my side a bit. He started nosing my hand and fingers and didn’t even act shook or anything. (What he did there and what I see in one of your images makes me think he will be able to connect with people pretty good.) He then walked around the side of me into the trees and that was when I decided to move away. As soon as I did the rest of them headed into the trees so I guessed I was blocking them somewhat. Anyway, if the BLM won’t let them remain on their grounds I am happy to see they will be in the care of someone who cares about their well being.
Hi Jerry,
I am so glad you had the opportunity to visit the wild horses of the Pryors. They are stunning, aren’t they?
With this herd of wild horses being the most famous and sought after, they are very used to seeing people. So I am truly not surprised that Image is letting us socialize with him. I think Ember has been a bit more skittish because of the mountain lion attack on her when she was just about a month old. Ginger has told me that quite a few of the younger Pryor horses that were adopted have been adjusting to their new environments very well. As you know from your visit to the Pryors, these horses do not run at the sight of people as so many wild horses on other ranges do.
We will do our best to give them the care and love they deserve after being ripped from their home.
Deb
Deb,
This is great. Have you ever thought of writing a book? 🙂 Of course I’m referring to your presentation here; what’s happened to the horses on Pryor is not great.
Makes me wonder what kind of greed, mismanagement, or other is behind all this.
Kerry
Thanks Kerry,
You are too sweet!
Yes, there are a lot of shenanigans going on with the BLM. I am fearful that they will have taken all of the wild horses of the ranges before the ROAM act can pass.
Thanks,
Deb
Hi Deb
I’m thankful that you took into your family your own Breyer horses. I was sadden to realize that they had been imortalized only to be ripped from their home. I’m looking forward to watching their lives from afar. Keep up the good work of blending them into your life.
Love your photography! What kind of camera do you use? Great depth of field and clarity. Keep up the great work for the marvelous mustangs!!!
Deb,
Thanks so much for keeping us informed about Image, Ember, and your other horses. I’m so glad the kids are doing so well, especially with Ember’s injury this past winter.
Keep up the good work….I’m already looking forward to your next update! 🙂
P.S. I love your images of the horses!
Deb, this brings back many memories of my youth, in the 40’s, growing up in Montana. Of wild horses along the Milk river, in northern Montana and other areas of the state. Also hearing the tales from old timers, inspired me to write a short novel, A Stallion Free and Wild, and can be got on Kindle e-book. Thanks