I was finally able to get out and camp a little over Christmas break, and visit both the Pryor horse range and Yellowstone. While I did not see any horses on my first pass through the Bighorn Canyon NRA, when I stopped by the pull-out for Sullivan’s Knob the second time I was greeted by Fiero on the hill and Oregon right near the parking. I did not see any other horses the first time there, but when I came back to check quite a while later I was able to find the rest of the band down the hill.
The other area I was around in between visits to Sullivan’s knob and trips out to mustangs flat was the overlook. I saw tracks but no horses until eventually Jemez, Montana and Medicine Bow were on the hillside. It is always good to see an older horse like Medicine Bow and know that they are making ti through the winter.
The only horses that I saw out on Mustang Flats we in the brush to the left, and I didn’t hike out to them. My guess is bachelors, but that is based solely on the fact that every time I do hike out in that area it seems to be bachelors. Can’t tell much from the picture, but there are 3 in it. My bet would be Issaquah was 1 black and maybe the grulla/grullo (toward left) is Johnston. I also saw quite a few deer, but no big bucks.
The longest hike I took was down to some horses from the “Spirited Mustangs” signs to a band of 6 I could see at the bottom of the draws near the fence.
After hiking back to the FJ, I saw one last group on the way out.
From there I made my way around to Gardiner and into Yellowstone. I did not get any great pictures, but enjoyed my time there. I did see an elk with drop tines near Lava Creek, which I think is the first time I have seen a live elk with drops. On Thursday night, Malaki and I listened to some wolves calling nearby in the Yellowstone River picnic area. We heard more in 2 areas on Friday, and I was able to watch some move along a ridge at one point. I would love to run across some close for photos, but it is always fun to listen to them.
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Thanks for the update! It’s great to see Medicine Bow looking so well and this year’s foals with fuzzy coats! And I’m so pleased to see Jemez 🙂 Was there any sign of Hightail?
She could easily have been just over the ridge since they were along the top.
🙂 my fingers are crossed that the winter won’t be too hard on her!
Also meant to ask how you think Sacajawea is doing? 🙂
She seemed ok. She was moving around and eating like normal. Her and Strawberry didn’t move around as much as Fiero and Oregon, but staying in the canyon made more sense with the wind anyway.
Awesome-thanks! Sounds like they were being the more sensible ones!
Abbie, she looks quite a bit better in Shawn’s picture of her here than she did in the last picture of her that I saw, taken in the late fall. 🙂 But, I suppose the winter coat could be hiding some leanness. Glad to hear she seemed to be behaving normally.
Thanks Linda-I thought she looked a bit better too 🙂
Reblogged this on Wild in the Pryors and commented:
A short Pryor report from Shawn. Thanks Shawn.
Happy New Year to you too, Shawn. I’m glad you got a chance to “get back to Nature”, and TY for sharing your adventure with us. 🙂 It’s so cool to see all the animals all decked out in their furry winter coats, being the tough survival experts that they are. I really am glad to see Sacajawea looking at least some better, and to get to see all the others, too, thru your lens.
Nice shots all! Thank you Shawn, oh brave one in the cold…
Sounds like a fun time all around. Thanks for sharing! I think your Yellowstone photos look nice. 🙂
Thanks for the updates. ALWAYS enjoy the photos. HaPPy New Year.
Thanks, Shawn — you know I always enjoy your posts. And it is great to see the horses you did., especially since they all look so good. But the Yellowstone area and wildlife had to be amazing also. The sounds had to be incredible. Glad you had a good time and thanks again for sharing. Hope 2015 will be good for you in all ways 🙂