It is a great goal of mine to share not only the mustangs and scenery of Spring Creek Basin but hopefully a little sliver – pulled through that screen – of the amazing and transforming peace and joy I feel every time I’m out there, with them and their neighbors in the wild world.
I thought he’d get up when Rowan approached from her standing nap several yards behind him.
Any second now, thought I, he’ll rise. … Usually, they do when another horse approaches them while they’re lying down, especially the adults.
But he didn’t, and Rowan settled in to continue her nap, watching over her stallion.
I wasn’t feeling the peace so much at this moment … being terrified that I’d mess up the focus or fall over and the resulting crash really WOULD wake them up.
But no. They just kept on snoozing, as peaceful between themselves as any mustangs ever.
I should take this moment to mention that Dundee was down in the bottom of the drainage with me (the arroyo is between us and Buckeye and Rowan), Aiyanna and Bia were still up the hill a bit behind Buckeye and Rowan, a band of three also were on that side of the arroyo, farther to the right behind Aiyanna and Bia, and a band of several more were behind Dundee and me on the farther side of the drainage. It’s not like there were no other horses – or even other bands – around. It *could* have been tumultuous.
It was one of the most peaceful, zen, wish-I-could-stop-time and please-let-me-bottle-this-memory-for-all-time moments ever. And you believe me when I say that, right? Because you’ve shared some of these unbelievably peaceful moments with me – on this blog if not beside me in the basin.
These moments brought to you from several evenings ago in Spring Creek Basin because I just couldn’t bring myself to process any of the photos right away. I needed time to process them in my heart and mind first. And even now, as I’m drafting this post, I couldn’t pick a favorite image from this favorite of moments.
Do you have a favorite? Let me know.
And it’s not quite over. … I still have at least one more image to feature from their continued nap – Buckeye standing then – at the edge of the arroyo, in the most beautiful, peaceful, wonderful wild place I know. (OK, really, it’s going to be a few more images. It was THAT gorgeous, and they were THAT peaceful.)
Spring Creek Basin Mustangs 
Yes it does need to be bottled! The thought that there IS a place for these mustangs to be at peace – NOT managed or chased or living in feedlots.
Thanks for these moments, TJ
We all need them to remember
Maggie
We have much peace in Spring Creek Basin, but it and the mustangs *are* managed. On a finite piece of ground, it’s essential. Good management, in our case, has led to the aforementioned peace. 🙂
Yes, a form of management – but the way its done and the people who are in charge seem to have the horse’s best interests at heart. This herd is so fortunate – also in having someone (you) keeping the pictures and names in front of the public.
Great photos, TJ. My favorites are images 5 and eight, if I got the order right. Top pick: the second to last where you’ve zoomed in on both of them, the mare dozing and the stallion’s eyes closed. –Kate
Thanks, Kate! That one – No. 8 – is my favorite, too, I think. 🙂
Peaceful. Tranquil. Pastoral. Beautiful. Thank you, TJ, for this halcyon moment only made possible by mustangs and your camera lens.
Aren’t they amazing? 🙂 I don’t know how they’ve made it possible, but after literally a lifetime of loving horses … I love them more and more and MORE!
#8 is my favorite but like you when I also see a natural event like this I can’t edit or delete as the series tells a story!
Love it, thank you or sharing!!
Thanks, Karel. 🙂 I think that one is my favorite, too. … But I love those ponies, so I love all the pix!
Beautiful. Thank you for sharing these moments where all feels right with the world.
Thanks, Judy. … In a crazy ol’ world, there really are places where peace and getting-alongness does prevail.
❤️❤️❤️❤️
❤️
🙂
Wow! So beautiful! I could not pick a favorite! They are all so sweet!
Thanks, Karen. 🙂 To see the mare standing guard over the stallion isn’t necessarily rare, but it’s infrequent.
They’re ALL my favorites!! Beautiful!!!
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Thanks, Karen. 🙂 I know how you feel! 🙂
They are all favorite’s. The peacefulness you felt comes through in this series of photos. Lovely. ❤️
Thanks, Valerie – that was my intention, to have the peace really be felt. I’m so glad it is!
You describe it all so beautifully!! And your photography is indescribable. 😘
Thanks so much, Nancy! 🙂 You know how I love my world and my ponies. 🙂
Oh my!! Couldn’t pick one – all of them make for one incredibly moving feeling or “memory” – PRICELESS!! This is the best post EVER!! Mission accomplished!
Thanks, Lynn & Kathy. 😊 There have been a lot of years and a lot of posts and a lot of mustangs, eh? I love them more and more. ❤️
You succeed in your goal, as far as I’m concerned. Beautiful photos and evocative words.
Thanks, Martha. 😊
In my life one of my most precious times has have been able to spend time sitting in the quiet of Wild Horses. Thanks for those times.
My favorite picture ever is of Skywalker a long time ago.
I surely understand those precious times. 🙂 We’ve shared a few of them together, haven’t we? 🙂
I have looked at this before but had to see again and read your feelings while watching the horses. How sweet!
It was truly a marvelous evening among so many, many marvelous, astounding, amazing, awesome, fabulous evenings. 🙂 SO beautiful there with the horses so peaceful all around.