Mountain Horses

[vaud]

Came across a band of wild horses in the foothills of the Rockies in Kananaskis country. It is a family unit with one huge stallion, four other males and two mares . Found them high up on a summit where it had recently snowed.

The first pic is the lead stallion. The next is of the two youngest members of the family.

d300s + 300mm 2.8

http://vaud.smugmug.com/Animals/Animals/i-wsLHCsm/2/X2/Mustang1501-X2.jpg


http://vaud.smugmug.com/Animals/Animals/i-gjvMKW5/1/X2/Mustangs1565B-X2.jpg

[Snowgirl]

Snow comes early in the hills, for sure. (Used to live in Calgary before returning east to the Merry Times).
I like the shot of the stud - looks like lots of detail in his haircoat and eye.

[tshaddick]

Great photos. Wild horses are beautiful.

[Dennis Kaczor]

Very nice and snow on the ground oh no.

[vaud]

Thanks Snowgirl, Tshaddick and Dennis for your comments. It's a lot of fun hanging around with these horses when you can find them.

- Peter

[deb22]

I guess it's all us Canadians responding to this post eh! I love the stud shot as well, There are only a few wild herds left I have only seen 2] so glad you got to see and photograph them.

[vaud]

Thanks Deb
I have read there is between 200 and 500 horses in Alberta. Most in the Sundre area and some in the Ghost Forest and maybe 30 in Kananaskis. I have seen and photographed around 22 different horses in the kananaskis this year. I think there must be more if I can find 22 of them. Still I can't get over finding them in mountain meadows. I was looking for Bighorn sheep when I saw my first mustangs.