Photo-adventures with Wild Burros

Long ears and shaggy manes looking out over the sage brush

 Heading out to no-man’s land in the desert looking for adventure and much to my surprise there against the horizon was a large group of wild burros.  The area where I was driving was the road that ran near Garfield Flats.  Garfield Flats has desolate topography with some interesting rock outcroppings that were formed from volcanism.  

On my previous trips I had not encountered much wildlife except for birds, lizards and a sole coachwhip snake.  Coming upon this many wild burros was a rare treat.  Not too far in the distance and at a higher elevation lies the Marietta Wild Burro Range. I thought maybe the burros were seeking lower ground with the cold fronts that were forecast later in the week. 

 
Concerned that my truck might scare the burros, I stopped and took several photos before I drove any closer. The road ran right past to where the burros were grazing so I decided to continue slowly forward.  To my relief, most of the burros kept their heads down and did not stop eating.

Being curious animals, several burros stopped eating and watched with ears forward to determine what I was up to.  This is when a zoom lens is mighty useful. 

   

Wild burros are not true native desert creatures but were brought over to the Desert Southwest by the Spaniards in the 1500’s.  They were originally from Africa and known as the Wild Ass.  These present day wild burros reach a height of around 5 feet and were valued as pack animals.   Being sure-footed, these hardy creatures can carry heavy burdens and go for days in the hot desert without water. 

The diet of wild burros which consists mainly of native desert grasses along with  Mormon Tea and Plantain will provide the animals with moisture.  However, wild burros are known to stay within 10 miles of a water source.   They can endure up to a 30% loss of  body weight in water and then replenish it in 5 minutes.

A few of the female burros were filled out and almost appeared to be pregnant, which is unusual this late in the season. I noticed one foal that was still trying to nurse.  The temperatures for this autumn have been very mild, however colder weather is sure to come 

These burros are fortunate to reside in an area that has been designated for them.  Although wild burros are protected wildlife under the 1971Wild and Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Act (Public Law 92-195) they still face many challenges with life in the open desert.

As the sun dropped to a low angle, it was time to leave the burros and head back before nightfall.  I look forward to a return visit but that might not be till spring depending on how much snowpack the winter brings.  

Follow my blog and check back often to see where my next photo-adventure will go.  Part of the thrill is just allowing it to happen, like with the wild burros.       

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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. 

Sign up and follow my blog to see where my next photo-adventure will be!

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" 

Many of these images are available on my website:

 http://www.bonnierannald.com/ 

For custom matted and framed images:
Off The Wall

No images on this blog are within Public Domain or are available for free download. 

 All rights reserved, world-wide and images protected by Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). All photography, graphics, text, design, and content is copyrighted by Bonnie Rannald and should not be copied, down-loaded, transferred and re-created in any way without the express consent, in writing to Bonnie Rannald. For information on Bonnie Rannald licensed, right-managed images, please submit a written request.

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Marietta Ghost Town

"Borax" Smith, Wild Burros and Spirits of the Old West

What can be more intriguing than wandering amongst the spirits of a by-gone era of the old west and maybe catch a glimpse of wild burros and horses along the route? 

Such was my day at the historic mining town of Marietta, located within the 68,000 acre Marietta Wild Burro Range that is on BLM public land.   

During the late 1800's gold and silver prospecting brought miners to the hills around Marietta.  However, salt became a more lucrative resource which was mined on Teel's Marsh and transported by camel trains to the mills in Virginia City. 

 The discovery of borate in 1872 by "Borax" Smith drew more people to the area and in 1877 Marietta had become a town of 150 residents with a post office, general store, stage station and many saloons.  

During its heyday, life in Marietta must have been pretty lucrative. The horse stage was robbed 4 times in one week and 30 times in 1880.

As I wander through abandoned, ramshackle houses I can only guess how their lives must have been.  Were they happy living out in such a remote place?  How did the children play and with what?  When I was a small girl, I would spend countless hours in my grandparent's yard exploring nature or watching the pecan leaves waving in the breeze.   

Here today, there are no trees with leaves swaying in the breeze, only boards askew with abstract patterns in the deep blue Nevada sky.  

 

The walls of "Borax" Smith's general store stand out in the desert landscape.  Two long rectangular side walls and the end wall are all that  stand the winds of change.  

 As I gaze over the workmanship of laying each stone by hand, I can just image people gathering to shop and socialize in such a well made store.  

   

Once noble dwellings abandoned to nature's whim stand as testament to a bygone era. 

  

 A portal leads the view back to a wall and beyond the wall are clouds with open space.  I watch intrigued and my imagination wanders with this preview of times past.

On this transitional autumn day, I was lucky to only encounter a western fence lizard crossing my path and no rattlesnakes.  One never knows what might be hiding in the shadows! 

A cistern is left to oxidize, a reminder of the element water, more precious than gold for those who make the desert their home.  

 Around the 1890's, more abundant borax sites were discovered in Death Valley and Marietta began its decline.   

In the near distance, the cemetery overlooks Teel's Marsh and the town of Marietta.  I am pleased that this grave yard lies as a respectful resting place with no sign of vandalism, unlike so many others that I have visited. 

 

 Even ole Chet gets to be remembered with his boots and whiskey bottle.  

 Wonder if he would like some company when my time has come?  With my hiking boots and wine bottle, we might share stories and bay with the burros at the rising moon.   

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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. 

Sign up and follow my blog to see where my next photo-adventure will be!

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" 

Many of these images are available on my website:

 http://www.bonnierannald.com/ 

For custom matted and framed images:
Off The Wall

No images on this blog are within Public Domain or are available for free download. 

 All rights reserved, world-wide and images protected by Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). All photography, graphics, text, design, and content is copyrighted by Bonnie Rannald and should not be copied, down-loaded, transferred and re-created in any way without the express consent, in writing to Bonnie Rannald. For information on Bonnie Rannald licensed, right-managed images, please submit a written request.

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Adventures in Wildlife Photography

 Knowing When to Exit Before It's Too Late

I began my photographic ventures shooting landscapes and because they always took me off the beaten path, I came across many different types of wildlife. Around this same time, I was doing volunteer work in the Red Rock Canyon Conservation Area and at Spring Mountain Ranch State Park with my photography. I made friends with some of the park rangers who taught me how to approach wildlife and enter their habitat without causing any problems. 

One of the first things I learned in photographing wildlife was that I would need a faster telephoto lens. So when I could afford it, I added the Nikon 500mm 4.0 to my collection of lenses and it soon became my favorite, even though it was cumbersome and required a tripod. The 500mm lens allowed me to reach areas where the wildlife hung out and most times go unnoticed. However, on several occasions after walking quietly and blending in, I was the one who was in for a surprise and not too sure about my next move.

A female coyote stops on her way back to the den to check out what is hiding in the mesquite trees. I've been fortunate to come across these creatures many times in the early mornings or evenings when I wander through the desert. They are very shy and most of the time will scurry off. I love to hear their music on a calm summer night.

Now mind you, I haven't had the thrill of encountering a cougar in the wild yet, although I have seen their tracks in the moist sand near First Creek. This cougar photo was during the open house at the Animal Ark in Reno, Nevada.

Speaking of First Creek, which is in the Red Rock Canyon Conservation Area and runs along the trail as its name implies, is a great place to see a lot of wildlife. One spring day when I was hiking  down the densely covered path I heard heavy breathing coming from just around the bend. My curiosity got the best of me and I continued on to find a group of wild burros foraging on a nearby hill. When I came into view, all heads looked up with ears forward. Wild burros can be mean spirited and will defend their territory; however this group posed for the camera as I quietly walked on down the trail.

There is something very peaceful about deer as they quietly graze on foliage, however this buck did not want me coming any closer and I have heard stories about hunters being attacked by them. With a quick clique of the shutter, I backed up and made a fast departure.

When I lived in Las Vegas, I often made trips out to Wilson Canyon where I could always find a large group of wild horses gathered around the natural springs. Early one summer morning, I was hiding in a grove of creosote bushes focusing on several horses that were drinking nearby. I heard some noise, turned and was completely surrounded by a bunch of wild horses that had snuck up while I was in deep concentration! When the horses realized that I was there, they stopped and allowed me to take a whole group of great photos.

Elk are like deer and just want to graze and be left alone. However when I was walking down a narrow back road near Cedar Breaks, Utah and came upon this group of Elk, I wasn't too sure how they felt about me entering their territory. Since my truck was a distance away, I snapped a few quick photos and did an about face!

In the areas that I frequent looking for wildlife, I've never seen a wolf out in the wild and this beauty is from the Animal Ark in Reno.

On one occasion, I did look up to see these big eyes watching me from the overhead tree! And no, I am not afraid of owls; to me they are beautiful birds that keep nature in balance. 

What I am afraid of and always cautious about are the rattlesnakes that live around the rocks in the desert. During the warm season, you have to be very careful about where you step and place your hands! Getting bit by one of these creatures when you are out on a hiking trail could mean the kiss of death and ruin your day!

I love being out in nature, exploring and finding photos. When I am in nature, I try to be a good neighbor and to go unnoticed without intruding or disrupting any habitats. As the saying goes, take only photographs and in the desert we don't believe in leaving footprints, only memories.

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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. 

Sign up and follow my blog to see where my next photo-adventure will be!

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" 

Many of these images are available on my website:

 http://www.bonnierannald.com/ 

For custom matted and framed images:
Off The Wall

No images on this blog are within Public Domain or are available for free download. 

 All rights reserved, world-wide and images protected by Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). All photography, graphics, text, design, and content is copyrighted by Bonnie Rannald and should not be copied, down-loaded, transferred and re-created in any way without the express consent, in writing to Bonnie Rannald. For information on Bonnie Rannald licensed, right-managed images, please submit a written request.

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