Officially named The Montgomery Pass Wild Horses, (click to enlarge)
these mustangs have a range of 50,185 acres,
spanning the borders of California and Nevada.
Photos were taken on the south shore of Mono Lake in California.
There has been no aerial round ups, or baiting population control efforts, with this herd for the past thirty years.
They are the only feral herd in the US whose population is managed entirely by natural apex predator (mountain lion) predation.
These guys are clearly advising me not to come much closer!
There were only two other people here, in the winter, and you can see the horses seemed more interested in the people, than visa versa.
These are shy and elusive creatures, I was fortunate to spend time with them.
I didn’t have my zoom lens and was pleased they allowed me in shooting distance.
The herd is estimated to have a population of over a hundred. We saw at least that many.
Cheers to you from The Mono Lake Mustangs~
For more info on these stunning creatures see:
https://americanwildhorsecampaign.org/media/herds-across-west-montgomery-pass-mustangs
My next post will focus on Mono Lake and the strange formations you see in the photos.
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What wonderful creatures! And they live entirely freely, not owned by anyone?
They are entirely free. Quite a wonderful concept isn’t it! დ
Wonderful indeed.
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Great photos! I’m curious as to where you think the best place is to photograph them? I see you were on the south side of mono lake. I’ve read to drive out 167 and go to the northeastern side. I’ll be heading up next weekend!
Just go! And may the horse be with you. Mono Lake must be spectacular now with all the rain. If the horses don’t find you, I would suggest coming back mid-winter, which is difficult for humans, and is why the horses congregate on the shores. If I were you, and they don’t find you, I would return to the south shore in winter. I hope you find them. They are stunning creatures დ
Thanks!
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They are beautiful mustangs. What a stunning area. The salt pillars in the lake are fascinating.
I have never been to the lake in winter before. There were only two other people on the south side, and the colors, reflections, with the snow and Sierras, were breathtaking. I will post more of the lake and pillars and mountains next. It was so much more beautiful than in summertime დ
I have been to Chincoteaque Island off the coast in Virginia to see their wild ponies. These mustangs at Mono Lake are beautiful. How glorious to run free. The photo of the lake with ice or salt structures sticking up and the horses along the shore is my favorite. Thanks, Cindy!
I haven’t been to Chincoteaque, but I have read about the horses. Healthy horses, wild and free, is a beautiful thing to see დ
Yes, it is!
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What a beautiful way to spend the day, thanks for sharing!
Thank you more for appreciating the horses Tiffany დ
Thank you for the stunning shots of these most gorgeous creatures, Cindy.
I’m glad they are being left alone by humans.
I always think of the “Misfits” movie. It’s one of those movies I just can’t watch again. The part about/with the the Mustangs breaks my heart.
Capturing or harming wild creatures who are thriving in the wild is a heartbreaking thing to see. I wouldn’t watch it either. People can be way too cruel. Thank you having caring heart Resa დ
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Even though I’ve live in CA all my life, I’ve never been to Mono Lake. I had no idea there were wild horses there. Thanks for sharing your wonderful pictures!
I am very happy you enjoyed Janis and thank you. Mono & nearby June Lake are definitely something you may want to add to your bucket list დ
Cindy, exquisite mustang and their photos. You were so fortunate they allowed your presence within camera range. I don’t know if you know this James Wright poem – A Blessing – but when I read your post, it reminded me what a blessing horses are…and our love for them: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/46481/a-blessing
That beautiful poem gave me goosebumps! A lyrical testament to the beauty and fragility of all life. Thank you for sharing დ
So glad you feel that way! It is one of my top 5 favorite poems and I can’t see any wild horses without envisioning them – and me – feeling like those two ponies and that poet.
We understand each other დდ
WOW Cindy, you took some awesome photos. You really got some very detailed shots, even without your zoom lens. These are some beautiful and majestic creatures for sure!!! 🐎🤗🐴📷
Aren’t they wonderful! So happy you see them as I do & thank you! დ
The essence of freedom! Your photos reminded me of a quote from Henry V by William Shakespeare:
“When I bestride him, I soar, I am a hawk: he trots the air; the earth sings when he touches it; the basest horn of his hoof is more musical than the pipe of Hermes.”
What an incredible quotation, from such a beautiful writer. Thank you for sharing Rebecca დ
So much beauty and greatness you show in your pictures. The Mustangs are just
fantastic and it is a wonder they are walking free.
Miriam
Unharrassed by humans for thirty years. Amazing! Thank you very much my friend for appreciating them დ
Such gorgeous animals! Almost regal! Beautiful photos, Cindy!
They looked like they owned the place, as well they should! დ
Right? LOL!
Are they on protected land?
I am not certain, but I think most their range is protected, but they also graze on privately held land. Not sure of this though…… Maybe someone who knows more will answer with more assurity დ
Wonderful photos, Cindy! Thanks for sharing…
Thanks more for appreciating Bette & take good care my friend დ
Wowie, that is really fabulous! What a wonderful gift to be able to spend the day with them. Thanks for sharing!
-Julie
It was the most amazing gift! Thrilling experience დ
They’re very sturdy looking horses. And what a stunning backdrop for them!
They can out run mountain lions! Built to survive დ
We were at Mono Lake many years ago – never had the thrill of seeing these horses.
It certainly was a thrill! Happy you have visited the lake. It is quite a special place დ
Excellent shots of these beautiful horses, and thanks for the detail story behind them, that is so neat!
Thank you John. They are incredibly neat creatures! დ
Every photo is just stunning! Such beautiful and sturdy animals! Thank you for sharing your day with us, your photos, and the promise of more to come.
Awwww……Thoughtful sentiments like yours Patty, make blogging a true joy! Thank you დ
They are so beautiful! And they look to be in excellent health. I love that their population is controlled naturally and not by humans, as it should be! Are mountain lions nocturnal? I don’t think I’d want to encounter one, though!
Natural population management is the only sensible solution. Human solutions to wild animal issues change like a movie star’s clothes. Mountain lions do prefer to hunt at night. Back when I lived in the suburbs, one walked down the middle of the street in mid-day. Very sadly, I was working! I only see tracks, scats and the occasional kill sites now დ
What magnificent animals–and they’re wild and free!!!
Amazing isn’t it! დ
Let’s hope it stays that way!
Amen.
After a survey our wild brumby population in Kosciuszko National Park in Australia in 2020 is about 14,000. Would you like a few? 😂 🤣 I know if the herds get too big they can begin to destroy areas but it is so good to see them naturally in the wild. Great photo’s dear lady 😀 ❤️ 🙏🏽 🦋
How fabulous that Australia allows it’s wild horse populations to thrive. The US does roundups which are a terrible thing to see. It is to much better to see healthy wild horses and mountain lions that are living naturally დ
It causes a bit of uproar as they do roundups occasionally because the big numbers really begin to destroy areas too much. So I suppose there has to be a middle ground somewhere. They were introduced when the First Fleet rocked up and a few escapee’s finally bred a bit too much and built up to what they now are 😀
This is the same with burros in the US. We brought them here and they seem to do quite well without us!!
How wonderful! That’s how horses should live – free, wild and untamed.
Have a fine new week, dear Cindy, and stay safe!
I agree with you completely. Wild & free is the way to be. Take good care my friend დ
I love wild Mustangs. You got some amazing pictures of them. Precious.
Thank you Darlene. I <3 my friends who <3 wild horses დ
As always outstanding photos. Wild horses are interesting, especially since they aren’t common in the east.
Thank you very much Frank. It is a big thrill to see them thriving in the wild დ
Great photos, as usual, Cindy. Horses always make good subjects for the camera.
Thank you. They are extremely photogenic დ
Mustangs!! They are the only herd in the US. All are beautifully captured, love the mountains behind these magnificent horses image especially!
Aren’t they wonderful creatures! Iconic symbols of the American West, so worthy of our love and protection. The lake and mountains were so lovely in winter. I will be posting more photos of them. I have never visited in winter, so it was eye opening დ
These are fabulous shots Cindy, reminding of the wild brumbies here in Australia who roam the high country area.
Yes, I have been hearing about them from others. How wonderful and adaptive they are, and how amazing you allow to live in such numbers! I want to come back to Oz!
Such beautiful animals. I love to hear that wild horses still exist. Maggie
There is something iconic about wild horses. They represent the beauty and freedom of escape into wild nature დ
Very beautiful horses and photos, Cindy! Mono Lake looks gorgeous. ❤️
Mono Lake in winter surprised the heck out of me. I have been in other seasons, but in winter it is empty and strikingly stunning დ
How wonderful, beautiful and touching. I love everyone of them. Could look at a million pictures of them. Thank you. Gorgeous.
We feel the same Gigi and it is wonderful my friend დდდ
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How beautiful. Your photos are wonderful, Cindy. So great that you were able to observe them and take pictures!
Being amongst wildlife like this is one of my greatest thrills. Thank you Lynette დ
I’ve been there and Bodie but never knew there were wild horses! Thank you for sharing, so amazing.
It was a first for me as well, and quite a thrilling experience. Bodie is special დ
I went to Bodie in the 70s. Don’t tell anyone but I took a book from the schoolhouse 🙂 It was a REAL ghost town then, not protected, not maintained. We were able to go into every single building. Very Twilight Zone-y. Time stood still.
That is freaking amazing and wonderful! I will not tell anyone. I’m glad you did that and hope you still have the book. It is certain to be a first edition დდ
I believe I DO have the book. Also got an old medical book…it was eery there, almost as if you could FEEL the former inhabitants.
Yes. I know the feeling.
Amazing shots. Thank you Cindy. 🙂
You are most welcome my friend დ
This seems like a great experience to see these wild horses. Your pictures are wonderful to see these wild horses up close. I would love to go and see them!
It was a major thrill to see them, wild, free and beautiful დ
And I hope there will always be wild horses running free there.
I fully share your hope Sandy დ
So beautiful!
Yes they are! Thank you დ
How long were you there that day Cindy? It feels so good to see something so natural!
We were there for the day exploring, but we saw the horses later in the day and felt very fortunate დ
Very nice
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Magnificent!
Agreed. Thank you Jim დ
This is so uplifting and exhilarating. That you for sharing these wonderful mustangs Cindy ❣️🙏❣️
It is good for our hearts and minds! Thank you Val დ
Beautiful Portraits and Images Cindy.
Do you use a Nikon?
Thank you Narayan. I use Sony cameras დ
Ahhh….Mustangs! What a great opportunity for you Cindy! Gorgeous creatures! I hope humans do not interfere with them!
I went to Mono lake in 2010 (south shore as well) We never heard about a herd of wild horses being around!
Mono lake is very acidic. That guy in the boat is destroying his engine.
Excellent shots, too bad you didn’t have your long lens.
It was an awesome day. The colors were so much more beautiful in winter. Hopefully their paddles were made of wood! 😉 😉
A winters sun always is warmer in tone. I love it!
Very happy you had such a memorable day Cindy! It’s those days that gives us that extra energy to search for that next nugget!
Exactly! Being taught by the Master is just so humbling.
There is something magnificent about wild horses simply allowed ‘to be’.
Yes. True beauty დ
Do the mountain lions use a saddle or ride bareback? Wonderful photos! Wonderful horses!
Laughing…. Horses can apparently out run mountain lions. but foals and old ones, maybe not დ
Reblogged this on Art, animals, and the earth and commented:
Really beautiful animals!
Aren’t they stunning Sharon! Thank you for seeing this დ
As always, your photos are just fabulous Cindy
Humbled. Thank very much Sheree დ
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Most beautiful animals and splendid photos! Lovely work Cindy!
Honored. Thank you for seeing their beauty დ
Always a pleasure Cindy.
Awesome!!
Yes exactly! Thank you დ
I mus tang you for sharing these pics. I give you a hay plus for these spectacular shots. Lol! (ෆ ͒•∘̬• ͒)◞❤️❤️❤️
Laughing…… You create humor in such a special way დ
Thank you for the wonderful photos of the Wild Mustangs. Have a nice week, LG Marie
Visa versa 2UX2 Marie დ
WOW! Fantastic images!
I was just looking at your tiger shark and being amazed დ