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Destination, Nature, Photography, Travel, Wildlife

Theodore Roosevelt National Park – North Dakota, The Wild Horses #TRNP

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Theodore Roosevelt National Park (TRNP) – The Wild Horses

Viewing and photographing the wild horses was the primary goal of the trip in early October 2018.  We had the good fortune of a prior consultation with Deb Lee Carson before our trip.  Deb has spent a lot of time with the Wild Horses of TRNP.  Having never been to TRNP, her insights were very helpful and greatly appreciated.  TRNP - Wild Horse

“It is difficult to explain one’s love for horses, it cannot be explained, it is simply felt.” ~ Deb Lee Carson

The Wild Horses of TRNP are majestic animals to say the least.  Their unbridled beauty roaming free was amazing to witness in person and photograph.  Three days total time in the park didn’t seem near long enough.  I was grateful for the exposure and the time I had with the horses.

[Read about the background and history of horses at TRNP]

The 46000 acre South Unit of TRNP is an incredible backdrop for these beautiful creatures.  All that space does make for a lot of places to roam out of sight.  Tuesday afternoon when we arrived we did not see a single horse.  The next morning we had a dusting of snow and it was cold and windy.  We managed to find a few horses.

Our luck turned around on Thursday.  After photographing sunrise from Badlands Overlook we continued on the loop counter-clockwise and found Grey Ghost grazing by himself.

Grey Ghost

We encountered Flax and his band a few different times on Thursday.  He is a handsome stallion.  Dolly and Kat are two of his mares.

Flax

Dolly

Kat

We saw quite a few more on Thursday just after sunrise.  Lots of horses snoozing in the warm early morning sunlight.

Bad weather in Wyoming brought Deb Lee Carson to Medora late Thursday evening.  She accompanied us in the morning to photograph.  A sunrise opportunity didn’t really present itself, but the light was pretty amazing that Friday morning regardless.  The clear skies and the bright sunlight back-lit the horses and illuminated their surroundings.  What a great end to a terrific photo trip to TRNP.  We saw a nice large group of horses that morning and spend a good amount of time photographing and observing them.

Deb Lee Carson
Deb Lee Carson
Deb Lee Carson
Deb Lee Carson

See also Deb Lee Carson Photography fb page

Pleas also check out This Mustang Life and their project: Taking Back The West.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-_7j5I2M60

 

 

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Destination, Nature, Photography, Travel, Wildlife

Theodore Roosevelt National Park – North Dakota, The Wildlife #TRNP

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Theodore Roosevelt National Park (TRNP) – The Wildlife

Wildlife – South Unit

Locating wildlife in TRNP – South Unit was challenging the first few days.  All the critters hunkered down in the cool and windy weather.   As the weather improved, so did the wildlife viewing.  We saw a Coyote hunting prairie dogs in the early a.m.; must to dark for a photograph.  We also met a porcupine in the early morning hours crossing the road.  Plenty of Cottontail Rabbits in the early a.m. too.

Bison

Bison roam around all over the place; there are plenty to see throughout the park.  Large herds congregated by the campground by the river on the West side of the park.

Prairie Dogs

Prairie Dogs were plentiful as well.  There are three really large towns right along side the road.  They are fun to watch.

Pronghorns

Pronghorns in park were sparse.  We happened upon two bucks that had just finished a battle.  They were noticeably fatigued and bloody.

Mule Deer

Mule Deer are plentiful.  They were everywhere and ran around like squirrels in the park.  We saw mostly does, but did manage to locate two nice bucks and one spike buck.

Whitetail Deer

The Whitetail Deer were very elusive.  Most of the sightings were along the river by the campground.  We did spot a nice buck by the Jones Creek Trail Head.  I was shooting out the passenger window and the temp different between the vehicle and the outside was significant which softens the image considerably.

ELK

We saw two different bull Elk just outside of Medora the first afternoon when we arrived, but did not stop to photograph.  I was surprised to see them so close to the road, but thought photographing them would be a snap – WRONG.  ELK in the park are very elusive.  We didn’t see a single Elk – cow or bull – until the last morning we were there.  Two full days of exploring the park and not even a glimpse.  When we did manage to find them, they were a good 1/2 mile off on top of a butte.  The light was low and the photos grainy.  I was just happy to see them and hear them.  There were three different bulls bugling at one point; it was pretty fantastic.

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