Nevada's Wild Horses Part II

WILD HORSES AT COLD CREEK, NEVADA

The wild horses at Cold Creek enjoy an open area supplied with numerous natural streams, ponds, an abundance of desert grasses and other foliage. Joshua trees and creosote bushes are native to this area, along with an occasional cottonwood tree. Most of the time you can find a number of wild horses grazing close around the creek beds.

Cold Creek is located with in the Toiyabe National Forest, approximately 40 miles north of Las Vegas, and 14 miles west of US-95. Being at a higher elevation than Wilson Tank/Bird Spring, the area has cooler temperatures and gets more snow in the winter.

When I am out in the wild and locate a group of horses, I park my truck at a distance. I then walk quietly with camera on tripod, getting as close as possible, without being noticed, to hide behind a creosote bush. In my photo entitled “Wild Horses at Cold Creek”, the horses had all quenched their thirst and started walking toward me. When they became aware of my presence in the distance, they lined up to investigate what was in the bush ahead. I managed to take one good frame before they turned and started walking around me.

 

I am often asked if I ever feel afraid of the horses when I am out in the desert, and away from my vehicle. Since I normally use an 80-200mm Nikon lens and tripod, I can stay away from the horses, but still be able to frame them up close in the camera. So far, I have never been threatened by any of the horses because I believe that if they are aware of my presence, then I’m too close. However, a few times I have had curious horses come up close to check me out. One time, a foal walked right up and sniffed my hand.

A large number of wild horses in the Cold Creek area have been rounded up and relocated or placed for adoption by Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The reason stated for these round-ups is that the wild horses are so numerous and there is too much competition for food and water source. It is believed that the wild horses are in part responsible for the reduction of many native plant and animal populations, including the Bighorn Sheep.

BLM claims to manage around 42,000 wild horses that roam the Western United States on public lands under the Wild Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Act of 1971. Under this law, wild horses are protected at population levels that ensure a thriving ecological balance.

Nevada's Wild Horses
Part II

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What an exciting and interesting photo-adventure this day has been.  I love it when I am drawn to an area and not knowing what to expect I get treated to new experiences. 

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Photography places me in the moment where I can share that moment in time. It becomes a life story as represented by my interaction with the scene. The happiness and beauty or the sorrow and strife; how I focus leaves a lasting impression that might touch the viewer on a spiritual level.

 "Reflecting Nature's Artistry" 

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