Wild Mustangs 2022

High in the Sierra Nevada Mountain range on the boarder of California and Nevada herds of wild mustangs roam. Decedents of escapees of the early settlers, these horses have learned to live in the harsh wilds of the high country. They are appropriately nervous as you try to approach, as humans are not always friends. They spend the day searching for the limited water available. If it wasn’t for the need to drink, you might not ever find them. Our trip was organized by Ken Lee of Art of Seeing Photography https://artofseeing.com/ conjunction with a great photographer and guide Ivana Crone.

A large herd roams the Adobe Valley floor and is accessible by road. We learned that it is really a group of many small herds that stay together. Apparently over the last couple of decades the mustangs behavior has changed and the stallions now just have one or two mares. These small herds then band together into the larger herd that moves over the valley floor. The above shot of two stallions sparing was taken with a Sony A1 and the Sony 200-600 GM lens at 560mm 1/320s at f/8.0 and ISO800.

We camped near the Adobe Valley herd and walked in as a group. It is a bit tricky as our guide, Ivana, tried to move us closer without disturbing the herd. You walk at an angle to get in front of them. If they turn and walk away, you just have to let them go as it is against the law to chase them. But if you are slow and methodical, you can slowly get into position to photograph the herd. And if you are patient enough the herds may even walk up to you and envelope the group. The Race was shot with a Sony A1 and Sony 200-600mm GM lens at 338mm, 1/640th of a second to freeze action, f/11and ISO1000.

It is easy to photograph the mustangs around you once they close in. They spend the day slowly walking with their heads down eating grass. An easy shot, but not that interesting. But every once in a while, action breaks out almost without warning. But if you watch closely there are clues that let you find more interesting interactions. On the edge of the herd a number of bachelors play to develop the skills they will ultimately need win a mare. Shot at 400mm 1/1250th f/9.0 and ISO 400.

The Herd in the Adobe Valley set against the back drop of the Sierra Nevada mountains gives some context to the photograph. They are doing what they do much of the day - graze.

And a few more to get a feel of the place

Yosemite Valley Fall 2022