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Heated Discussion
A stallion (the one on the left) has a new mare in his band that is in heat. When a 2nd stallion (the one the right) heads toward the mare, a brief, but heated ...
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A stallion (the one on the left) has a new mare in his band that is in heat. When a 2nd stallion (the one the right) heads toward the mare, a brief, but heated "discussion" ensued. Long story short: the stallion on the right departed without even a snippet of a "visit" with the mare. ~ The horses live in the Tonto National Forest by the Salt River in the U.S. state of Arizona. The river is their lifeline for water and eel grass.
[Stallion White Spar_Salt River_16x24_20 JUL 2019_8104513]
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[Stallion White Spar_Salt River_16x24_20 JUL 2019_8104513]
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Jul, 2019Views
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Awards
Chatter Award
Contest Finalist in Mammals Photo Contest
Pro Photographer of the Month
Contest Finalist in Monthly Pro Photo Contest Volume3
Peer Award
Magnificent Capture
Absolute Masterpiece
Top Choice
Outstanding Creativity
Superb Composition
Superior Skill
Genius
All Star
Virtuoso
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Pamelabole
September 02, 2023
Beautiful capture! Glad it was a brief "misunderstanding" and no one was hurt! And, I am so glad that you feel the herds are successfully managed ,so many places are not! So so sad!!
Platinum
Manifoldlm
September 02, 2023
Many thanks for the wonderful commentary. I was disillusioned by the SRWHMG's management. Great caring volunteers, but between the current law suit the horses are facing and the personal goals and leadership of the SRWHMG's President, the horses don't have a prayer to retain their wild nature or genetic viability.
Platinum
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Behind The Lens
Location
The photo was taken at the Salt River in the U.S. state of Arizona's Tonto National Forest where they live wild, enjoying as much freedom as today's world allows. Their freedom is a direct result of the management collaboration between the Salt River Wild Horse Management Group ( a 501 3 (c) organization) and the U.S. Department of Forestry. Walking among the Salt River wild horses is one of the biggest joys of my life and enjoyed by many both near and far.Time
I frequently wake up before the crack of dawn to arrive at the Salt River in time for the early morning golden hour. While I don't always locate the horses or other wildlife in time for golden hour I really enjoy listening and watching the river "wake-up" in the early morning hours. This particular day I was fortunate to locate the horses in the river a bit after golden hour. I pulled up a chair (rock) and sat and watched from the edge of the river bank. Around 10:30'ish the stallion on right headed toward a mare in heat in the stallion on the left's band. Rearing, splashing, sparring -- the raw power of wild horse -- majestic and iconic. The brief, but heated "discussion" ensued. Long story short: the stallion on the right departed without even a snippet of a "visit" with the mare. .Lighting
The lighting on the river can be quite harsh during the day. Reflection from the water coupled with the bright desert sun can easily create "hot spots". I underexpose to decrease hot spots, especially with lighter colored horses. Additionally what I call "dual motion challenge" -- in this case water and horse movement -- can decrease the clarity of your subject and increase the clarity of a few droplets of water. Can't count how many photos I have of blurred horses with a few droplets of water in focus. I've found focusing on a part of the horse not in the water or splash provides the right depth of field to enable both the subject and water to be in focus. This also applies with dust imagery.Equipment
I used the Nikon DSLR 810 with the Nikon 200-500 lens set at 1/1600, f/7.1 and ISO of 640 on a tripod. The tripod is oftentimes cumbersome to carry in the field for long distances, but sooo worth it's weight in gold negating the combined weight of the camera and lens while waiting in a stationary position for wildlife action.Inspiration
The wild horses are an American icon with an uncertain future. The Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Department, Ranchers, Cattlemen, Politician, and several Wild Horse management groups are constantly at wits end on how to manage the horses. Each has a vested interest in the horses. Some for the horses and others against the horses. It is certainly a challenging time between all of wildlife and humanity. The old adage; "A picture is worth a thousand words" inspires hope and motivates me to create the most majestic photos of the wild horses I can to be used as their voice.Editing
I used Lightroom and Photoshop. The top part of the background was darkened and blurred a bit to negate the viewer's eye from going to branches vice the subject. Additionally a horses rump in the right lower corner "photobombed" the shot was removed with photoshop. Then a light vignette was applied to draw the viewer's eye to the sparring action of the horses.In my camera bag
I normally have both a macro and 18-300 lens, extra batteries and memory cards, lens cleaning wipes & cloth and sometimes a second camera to capture photos at a closer range. Additionally I carry plenty of water to stay hydrated, bug wipes, and a cell phone for emergencies.Feedback
The best advice I can offer is to commit to your photo. Learn everything you can about your subject -- behavior, environment, etc.. and camera features. Think how your photo will convey a story to your viewer. A story... with emotions both you and your viewers can relate to. Believe in your vision and know it's ok to "goof-up". I'm not sure exactly how many photos I have of horses with their feet not in the photo, without a head, only half a horse (and not the better half), over/underexposed photos, etc. Learn from your mistakes and push on to be the best you can. Let your passion, not your perception of your audiences passion shine through your photos and most of all... Have fun!!!
