Please help me with just one more selection – the calendar’s cover.
Two choices this year, two stallions – two visits – that rank among my absolute favorites.
Grey/Traveler
This stallion has had my heart since my first visit to the basin eight years ago – how dark he was then! What I know of his story is amazing. I can only guess at his full story. He has been rounded up, had his family removed, gathered them again, lost them again, lost his freedom, been removed from his home, returned to his home, found and created new family. He is known to countless visitors – the extreme presence visible in this photo has made him a favorite to many, many admirers. His “official” name is Traveler; I’ve always called him Sir Grey.
Seven
In 2007, this stallion was aged at 7. It was a monumental year for him (for all of them). His family was taken from him, but he was released back to his home. Not surprisingly, humans are not among a few of his favorite things. He had Houdini – and lost her to Grey (who had had her years ago). He stole Roja and Molly from Kreacher and last year lost Molly to age. This fall, he added Mona and her filly, Shane, to his family. As he has matured, his resemblance to Grey has been remarkable; I believe he is Grey’s son.
Both, to me, embody the spirit of Spring Creek Basin – bold, protective, larger than life, peaceful, golden – silver! – magical.
Which will you choose? And thank you, thank you, thank you – for all the choices you have made! For your interest in our Spring Creek Basin mustangs!
Reminder: The deadline for votes is Wednesday, Dec. 15. I’ll tally them up and should have the results Friday, Dec. 17. Also Friday, I’m going to have a helper draw one of your names out of a hat. I’ve been keeping track of all your names who have actually voted, and this is who I have so far (please make sure I have your name, so I make sure everyone goes in the hat!): Barbara Warner, Tami, Joanne Belasco, Teresa Irick, Lynn & Kathy, Pat Amthor, Karen Schmiede, Prairie Wind Lady, Linda Horn, C/G, Toppyrocks, Rochlia, Millie, Nicole, Linda, Morgan Griffith, Jan Eaker, Sandra Longley, Billie, Katherine, Karen Day, Violet Strawn, Lanny Boone, Cathy Boone, Amber, Deleese Pryor, T&K.
Purchase info: If you’d like to buy a calendar, I’ve settled on $15, which includes the cost of the calendar and printing the photos and a $5 donation to NMA/CO – and I will send all the calendars with our most recent newsletter and the new brochure we did with BLM. E-mail me at mtbgrrl (at) fone dot net with your full name and mailing address. I know descriptions and even photos can be misleading, so I want to make sure you all know this is NOT a commercially-produced, large-format, glossy calendar. It IS small – the calendar itself is about 5 3/4 inches by 7 3/4inches and opens to 5 3/4 by 11 1/4 inches long. The photos ARE custom – all Spring Creek Basin mustangs, all taken by yours truly in 2010, in the months they represent. The photos are 4×6 inches. I print the photos and attach them to the calendar by pre-set adhesive strips. (The calendars are printed on recycled paper, and the company is based in Colorado Springs. Learn more about them at Photographer’s Edge.)
I create about five a year for family. I ordered some extra this year, and I’ll try to get them mailed before Christmas (the drawing winner’s will definitely go out before then), otherwise, I’ll guarantee delivery in January (avoiding major catastrophe!). Again, not commercially produced, and I work a full-time job! 🙂
This year, I wanted to involve you readers in the choices as well as giving us all a look back at the year of the horses. And I thank you all again and again for your help!
Spring Creek Basin Mustangs 
Awesome job – awesome choices TJ, but I just can’t choose between these 2 horses. Both so regal. I’ve loved all of the photos you’ve showcased for each month, but the cover is going to be the toughest choice by far. 🙂
Nice! I want one, or actually, two, but I think you should consider making them professionally–yours are the best pictures I’ve seen in a Mustang calendar. Also, if you did it professionally and you ALSO wrote the story behind each horse–what an unbelieveable and valueable and collectible and educational gift it would be!!!
I vote for Seven.
Also, I’ll link to this in my post tomorrow. I’m blogging on PZP, but I’ll add a link here, too.
You only need one word to describe our mustangs-Traveler.
I vote for Traveler. Your pictures are great.
this is really tough. i really would like to see them both but i would have to pick Traveler. reading his story even though i already knew it brought tears to my eyes once again.
i hadnt been on a computer for a while but i found out you were doing this. i have my votes in now and i will be checking in regularly again. i hope everyone is wintering well but it has been mild so far so it hasnt been to tough i would think.
OK, we knew this was coming, but this is oh so incredibly difficult!! We’re genuinely torn here: emotionally, we’re struck by the photo of Grey running right at you, not defiant, but proud and strong. Then, the one of Seven (yeah, he must be Grey’s son!) shows elegance, great lighting and artistry.
We’re both going to have to go with Seven, because he’s more elusive, fewer folks get to see him. Then, there’s the artistry of this portrait – wonderful! They’re both great – wish we didn’t have to choose…!!!
Either way, you’ve got one FANTASTIC cover!! Kinda hope it ends up a tie and the burden would then be yours!!
P.S. Should we ask Molly?! 😉
I know Sir Grey is your favorite and it’s a cover winning photo, but Seven is in my heart and he’s in my book. I vote for Seven.
Nicole – I added you to the list of names I have. Glad to see you back! The horses are doing very well … I wish we’d get more snow so their moisture is freely available and they don’t have to constantly break through the ice, but they know how to adapt.
This certainly wouldn’t be fair if it was an easy choice!
It’s Sir Grey/Traveler for me. If he doesn’t win, do you sell prints separately? Maybe even an enlargement? He’s so stunning and his story … AMAZING!
Of necessity, the synopsis of Grey/Traveler’s story above is excruciatingly brief. I will never forget and I will be forever grateful that I was able to go to Canon City and identify him and help bring him home. Of all the horses I’ve known throughout my life, two have been exceptional, crucial to my development as a human being; Grey is one. Probably a whole book could be written about him … maybe I’ll do a post some day with his story as I know it.
All these amazing creatures have stories – just like every person. Thinking about Grey’s makes me think of all those untold.
A friend told me she’s donating to her local animal shelter on behalf of relatives this Christmas – in lieu of wrapped presents. I think that’s a wonderful idea. We can’t save them all, though they’re all worth saving.
When I saw Traveler he took my breath away–so Traveler it is. His energy makes me feel I should salute him, or bow down or somehow honor him.
Traveler, because he is a survivor, a characteristic that is certainly unique to the wild horses..Mankind being his most voracious predator..he has manged not only to survive but thrive despite the smaller islands we have put them on,and more fences and more cattle and more industry -despite the attempts to wipe him from the face of the earth..I don’t know his whole story but sounds like he has a spanish angel on his side..and most worthy
They are both gorgeous, but I’m going with Gray/Traveler.
Traveler definitely!
From Jan – “Saving one animal may not change the world, but, it will surely change the world for that one animal.” I don’t know to whom to attribute that, but I love it!
Sandra – At *least* “seven Spanish angels …” … and a few American angels, too. 😉 He’s my angel, for sure!
Morgan – You just honored him. 🙂
This was a very difficult decision…both such splendid animals! And both photographs are stunning. I had an emotional draw to Seven because of his name and of Shane’s name. But I feel the photo of ‘Sir’ Gray Traveler’s strong and proud gallop embodies the joy and spirit of being free. So, after much consideration, and no less love felt for Seven,
My vote is for Gray Traveler.
I am very interested in purchasing a calendar. Thank you so much for everything you do and for the wonderful photos.
Hi TJ,
This is a difficult choice. Both are such amazing stallions and deserve it.
I am going to vote for Traveler as he is the older one and the first stallion I ever saw in Disappointment Valley in 2003 (my first time there). I will never forget when I saw him!! He came out in front of his herd to meet me and my guide, and he drew a line in the sand with his hoof …that was about 50 yards out, and when I took a step forward, he drew the line again, posturing, and let me know 50 yds. was it!!! He is indeed a born leader!
I would love to buy one of calendars. Thank you for all you do to help get the horses out visibly to all of us.
Love them both so much and the photos are excellent….so I can’t vote :] The photos are so different-Seven so peaceful,and Traveler so free…I could never make a choice between the two!
Rochlia – Me, either – that’s why I asked for help! Well, I have to admit I’d vote for my boy Grey … 😉 But that evening with Seven and his band – and Kreacher’s nearby – was just about as magical as it gets. Fitting that these two would be vying for the cover shot!
Karen – Great story about your first meeting with Traveler!
Katherine – I so appreciate that you specified “no less love felt for Seven” in your vote!
Lynn & Kathy – Please DO ask sweet Miss Molly … I have a feeling she’ll be unable to choose between them! 🙂
Difficult choice. For me it would be which photo would I rather look at for the whole month as opposed to seeing the cover only briefly. Both photos are fantastic, but if I HAD to choose, I would choose the one of Grey as that is one I would love to be able to look at all month long. But both are great shots. I could not begin to vote for the others, there were too many great shots. However, any time that Duke is involved I vote for him!
Duke was still with Twister and Cuatro this week – I’m happy to see him with company! I wish Bruiser would hook up with them; I didn’t see him, though I saw most everybody else, so I think he’s still wandering around by himself. Thanks for your vote!
TJ –
We think the “deck was stacked” so to speak, pretty early on in Grey’s favor – totally understandable – an incredibly stunning photo! Still, as only you know, we LOVE them both!! We just thought Seven deserved some exposure as (probably) Grey’s son and a symbol not just of the present, but the future, as well. We really think YOU should have decided the cover, really!!
By the way, Molls also thought long and hard about Seven – she never said which one… 🙂
P.S. Where did the “Sir” come from? This is the first time we’ve ever heard you, or anyone refer to him this way…
“Sir” was my attempt to articulate the regal, elegant bearing he has always had, that spark that sets him apart from almost any other horse I’ve ever seen … not “king,” not “duke,” not “emperor” …:) “Sir” seemed to fit – what do you call someone you respect? Sir. I wasn’t really looking to name him – or any of them – back then. Grey as a descriptor as much as a name … it stuck. I didn’t find out until right before the 2007 roundup that he had an “official” name – Traveler. I’d been calling him Grey for four or five years by then – a habit I just haven’t broken. He really was “grey” then … so dark he looked “blue” as one friend has said. Like flinty steel. And now he’s that gorgeous garnished silver, edged in black … I’m completely – still – smitten. 🙂
Both photos certainly need to be included so I vote Seven for the month of Sept and Grey/Traveler for the cover.
I’m certainly going to recommend this …
I got to go with Traveler. I love the pic of Seven and think it’s the best but Traveler is the horse I think of first when I think of Spring Creek Basin. He should probably be the cover for as long as he is a herd Stallion.
Grey/Traveler
Lanny and Cathy – thanks for your votes!
i really agree that we need some more snow. it is going to make summer very hard without the run off. unless it rains alot. you never know. i am glad to know they are all doing good i wouldnt expect anyhting different.
Very dry in the basin … Good news is the water is flowing again – ice has thawed!
We vote for TRAVELER!! 🙂