Wild Horses of Utah's West Desert May 2016

This old white stallion is my favorite horse in the world. I started calling him Gandolf several years ago, and I've just been referring to him that way since. He is an old horse, a former herd patriarch. I'm not sure just how old he is, but I'm guessing he's in his early-mid twenties. Every year, usually when winter hits, I wonder if these will be his last days. And so far, each spring, I've found him, still hanging on. This past weekend, I found him, not only doing well and looking good, but feeling good enough to get in a good 20-30 second sparring match with the younger stallion to his right. I have seen Gandolf rear up and make a little noise on occasion, but it's mostly posturing, and nothing serious. This time was different. This time, he wanted to engage and go full on. It was a gift to see the old horse still feeling ornery and full of "piss and vinegar" as the saying goes. 

These two stallions went at it for a few minutes. At each others' throats one minute, and chasing each other through the grass in the next minute. The darker bay stallion on the right (fighting) is a really handsome thing. He has a mane that looks like he just stepped out of a New York salon. I loved this shot because of the motion and intensity between these two.

I'm a sucker for shots of the stallions as they spar and compete for mares and herd dominance, but once in a while, I stop and catch something more calm and serene. Here, this paint mare kisses her COY (colf of the year). A tender moment between mother and child.

Great-horned Owls

E & M's Family Portrait Session; November 2014

One Stallion takes on Two Challengers in This Fight Series

C.W.'s portrait session; August 2014

 This is my good friend, Chelsea. She is about to embark on a new, professional venture in a new ballet studio. She teaches, and she wanted a professional head shot. So I figured, what the heck, and did a full portrait shoot with her, giving her LOTS to choose from. She was an excellent model; she has plenty of personality, and this was one of my funnest (still not sure that's a word) shoots to date. Good luck, Chelsea!

 We had some gorgeous lighting during "golden hour" (just before sunset). It was a little tricky to work with, but we finally dialed it in about right, and I'm pleased with the results.

One of my favorites. She's ready to be a professional model.

Luckily, the cherry trees still had some unshaken fruit, even though the cherry harvest happened a couple of weeks ago.

"How should I pose?" Just like that.

Of course, we had to work in a few fun shots!

M's Senior Pics Shoot

Bangin' some drums with Mount Timpanogos as the backdrop.

This crazy-talented kid plays the guitar as well.

Along the shores of Utah Lake.

Congratulations on your high school graduation, M! You have a great future ahead of you!

Onaqui Herd 050414

This is such a beautiful colt. She's so fluffy, and spunky. She kept jumping at her mom's face, and trying to bite it. Playful little thing.

Here are 3 of the dozen new colts in the herd so far. The 2 red ones are "brothers from another mother." They are so fun to watch. I only saw one other mare that seemed to still be pregnant. So I'll look forward to seeing one more little one soon.

On the move toward a watering hole.

These colts were so funny. They went at it for quite sometime, mimicking the fighting they must see around them everyday. 

Half-siblings.

This is one of the biggest stallions out there. And man has he been fighting. He's so scarred. There is breeding going on, and the stallions are all on edge. And they're lucky if they don't get injured by another male, or kicked in the head by a mare.

This is often how a fight breaks out. More than one stallion approaches a dung pile. They start to sniff it, and maybe...uh...contribute some of their own to the pile. It's all about marking territory, and displaying dominance. The stallions can be very ornery around these piles, posturing to one another, or fighting and doling out punishment.

I need to name this little colt. It's just so fluffy and cute, and has such a distinct face. I look forward to watching it grow up and establish it's own place in the herd and within its own band.

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In this spot, there was this big bare circle of just dirt and dust. Many of the horses took a roll in it. We were often shooting through clouds of dust, which sometimes looks cool, and adds something to a shot, or sometimes it ruins it. I like how this one turned out.

An intense fight breaks out between two stallions.

These colts are pretty amazing, rising to their wobbly hooves just minutes or maybe hours after birth. And before you know it, they're running with the herd.

Two of the most dominant stallions in the herd. The white one is a recently rising star. I've seen him running the entire herd around. He might be royalty out there, and I assume he is one of Gandolf's offspring. The buckskin on the right is one of my favorites. He displays more mustang genetics than most of them. I love his mask, and he is producing some great looking colts. These two got into a good chase and some fighting yesterday. I was actually surprised to see the white one making such a challenge on the buckskin. I wonder how long before he'll either overtake that harem, or round up his own.

This was just as we were leaving. The herd decided to head for another round of water at the watering hole.