Thursday, October 2, 2014

Meet Prancer

They were way out there. I couldn't tell how many, but I saw mustangs in a huddle. So, I grabbed my camera and started walking out on the raw sienna colored sage flats, pleased that I wouldn't be going home without seeing a horse. I turned around as I got about halfway out and took this picture of the speck of a Subaru I'd left behind me on the side of the road.
I see you guys, and I'm coming to check you out!
The closer I get the faster my heart flutters.
Right about now, they start to recognize my presence.
They squeeze in tight and at a fast trot, they come in close to check me out!
That's when I saw him. The leader of the band. Strutting his stuff, prancing and dancing and keeping his gals in line, in perfect step.
Oh, that Stallion can prance! He lifts his front legs, his hooves curl as he paws the air, and he shakes his head, a tangle of mane covers one eye. He sizes me up, but I'm just a calm and gentle figure, with wild hair myself. I try not to stare. I nonchalantly look side to side, and I slowly crouch and kneel in the rabbitbrush. My camera clicks at the same time I greet him in a low tone. "Hey, boy." After he prances back and forth, in front of his family, blowing short deliberate puffs through his nostrils, he finally stops, rests, and all eyes are on me.
Seven beauties. In rich and shiny colors, with a dusting of prairie dirt. Like a box of oil pastels, I choose white, cream, taupe, gray, charcoal, rust and lots of black.
Seven beauties with hairdo's to die for.
We all get comfortable with each other and the sound of the shutter becomes more familiar to them, like a soft click of a metronome, keeping beat with the wind. Prancer has let down his guard somewhat, never completely, but now the line loosens up, and a mom and baby trot off on their own, a few feet away. A mostly black youngster nurses, while the others start picking through tiny clumps of green grasses and crusty tumbleweeds.
I spent the rest of the afternoon just admiring this new wild family that I found. Watching them, wondering what they think, where they'll spend the winter, and if they have a favorite place to go when the snow drifts? I wonder if they head back up the mountain, to take cover under the ponderosa pine trees? Or will their manes be braided with icicles as they stand out on this open prairie, with the unforgiving blizzards that will surely pass through.
Wild things.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

17 comments:

  1. I enjoyed this post so much, Lynn. I've never seen a roan pinto before, and here are mom and look-alike baby, adorable as can be. And of course, Prancer - what a gorgeous horse. What a great day it must have been. I hope some of these photos are going up on your walls, friend!

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    1. The look-alikes!!! Can you believe that natural beauty??
      I want to hang one nice image up but the dilemma is choosing which one! I've got five months worth of beauties. It's terribly hard to decide!
      Great to see you.

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  2. Oh my gosh! Magic. This is pure magic. If I ever got to see any of this I could die happy. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. I tell myself that very thing! Each and every moment with them is unbelievable and I thank the heavens a million times.
      I'm happy you find joy in my horses! And that you're feeling better.
      I've been spending some time on your blog and it always gives me things to think about while I'm at work. More important things! ;)

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  3. I do believe they have welcomed you into the family. xx

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    1. I could only hope! I do feel like they know I'm only there to love them! :)

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  4. geweldig mooi om daar te mogen zijn en een gevoel van eenheid te krijgen.

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    1. de wilde paarden families zijn hechte . dank u voor uw reactie!

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  5. oh, wow.
    those horses: the colours and manes and prancing and dancing.
    and a matching mom-n-babe colt.
    my heart was beating fast, too!
    great photos, RD.

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    1. I know, the matching mom and babe. I want to take that pair home, Bernard.
      So bad.
      I'll give you one. ;)

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  6. You are right about the colors,,, they couldn't be more perfect. Those 7 graceful horses couldn't be more beautiful!
    XO!

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    1. You should see them up close!!!!!
      Swoon. Sigh. Swoon some more.
      :)

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    2. You are fortunate. I would do same as you.... have those regular dates with the mustangs. Swooning I am...

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  7. my heart paces faster as i read your story with eagerness. i can only imagine myself there in the wilderness. it must feel so....mighty. and overwhelming at the same time. your stories always fascinate me. i am in love with the mustangs. they are so beautiful and free.

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