I woke up just before dawn on my first full day on the mountain. That would be around 5:15 here in Montana. It was a clear, cool morning. I quietly got up and walked out with my camera in hand. Linda was not far behind me. I looked down the road a short way and saw Teton and his band grazing in the first light.

Not too far from them was Galaxy and his band.

I chose my campsite because of the location. Sometimes the wind is quite strong here, but other wise it is perfect. I love the way the sun comes up in the morning behind the trees. There almost always seems to be horses close by, both day and night. It is in between two water sources, so there is a lot of traffic that goes by. I sometimes joke that I could just sit in a chair all day and all the horses would eventually go right by me. Of course I don’t just sit there, but I suppose I could and I would see a lot of horses.
This morning was no different and I watched several bands coming my way. We were the only humans on the mountain top that morning. I especially love those days. Sometimes (and only a very few times) someone else drives up the mountain early. Usually the “day trippers” don’t show up until noon. I prefer the latter. I took a deep breath of the clean mountain air and watched the horses.


Ireland looked especially beautiful in the light. I took several shots of her and thought I would share more than one with you.








I turned the opposite direction and there was Kierra looking back at me.

The rest of Cloud’s band began to come over the hill. Cloud’s young son, Mica really likes me. It seems that whenever he sees me he will head right for me. I hoped he would not see me now.






Mica was not able to get Kierra up, so he decided he would take a nap right beside her.

A few of the other horses in the band decided to take a nap in the sun. We just stood in the morning sun and watched.



Feldspar and Cloud then saw something and became very alert. Linda and I had seen two bears earlier that morning and I wondered if maybe that was what they were looking at.



Whatever it was, Cloud decided to gather his band up and move them on.





Then Cloud felt there was some danger ahead and went up to the front of the band to see what it was. It was more bands of horses, and they all took off down the hill to greet them.




Seeing all of the bands on top of the mountain is a really incredible thing. But I have to say that I really enjoy the challenge of trying to find them earlier in the spring. Having to drive both Sykes Road and Burnt Timber road several times and hiking around looking, is really a neat experience. I felt like I was getting quite good at finding them and getting to know the mountain well.
We enjoyed a quiet morning watching the horses interact with each other, all was peaceful. They grazed and then almost all of the horses decided to lie down and nap. That was something I had never experienced before. ALL the horses lying down. It was really amazing!






Then they all start to lie down.










I left the napping horses quietly and went to check on Lakota. If you have not read about his injury, click on LAKOTA. I had not gone far when I saw Galaxy and his band walking in front of me.



On my way to check on Lakota I saw Grijala and his band. All napping. Not too far from them was Gringo with Tecumseh’s band and Mescalero and his band. Tecumseh was not too far from them.

And then I reached Lakota.

I talked to Jared Bybee late Friday afternoon. He called to say that he had seen Lakota. Lakota was quite a ways from where I had last seen him. Still grazing and hopefully moving closer to some water. I hope this means that he is healing. Thank you Jared for letting me know!
Sandy
These are so special — I love the ones of Maia and Ireland in the early morning sun… and seeing them all laying down — what an experience. Thanks SOOOO much for sharing!
Thanks Joy!
Beautiful horses. So nice to see them in the landscape.
Thank you Norway!
Me too!!! It’s amazing to see all those horses napping. I never thought they could all feel so relaxed together. Thanks so much for posting all these thrilling (for East coast me 🙂 ) photos!
Thank you!
I love these posts with lots of horses in them. I really enjoy the updates. I love Ireland! She is one of my favorites. She just has a look about her and her coloring is beautiful. How large is Cloud’s band? It seems quite big. And Celt is a beautiful horse too. I have a picture of Celt against some white clouds (Celt was standing above me). It’s one of my favorite pictures. The white clouds really set of the black color. Great updates! You’re very lucky to be able to go up on the mountain and spend time with the horses. My sister and I were up there last year and hope to be able to make the trip again next year. Thanks again!
Thanks Lola. There are 11 in Cloud’s band. There is another stallion, Jackson who has an even larger band right now. He has 13 now, including 4 new foals this year. I will be posting those photos soon!
Wow! Them to guys are doing quite well for themselves! LOL!
Beautiful pictures, how glorious to see so many bands together on the mountain top and napping! The morning must have been magical! 🙂
Thanks Brigitte!
Those pictures of Electra in the morning light were beautiful. And I really loved the picture of Breeze and Mica napping together, it was so sweet. The pictures of all the bands lying down were great! You don’t see that very often, especially the ones flat on their sides! 🙂 And the stallions laying down too. I also really enjoy seeing how close the bands get of the stallions that know and respect each other. Their bands can mingle close together without competitive/ territorial disputes. And again, thank you so much for your updates, I really enjoy reading them!
Thank you Sarah!
I can’t stop looking at these photos… every time I see something new. What a great shot of Galaxy — he really is a magnificent stallion.
Thanks Joy! 🙂 I will be posting more photos of Galaxy soon. I saw him a lot when I was there!
Reblogged this on TROVE GENERAL STORE and commented:
Always a Great Blog with Amazing Images…
What an amazing picture of Ireland in the morning sun. Stunning!!!!!
Thanks Bill! 🙂
Thanks Sandy, each picture is so enjoyable and I LOVE where they were all taking a rest, all laying down and against the landscape, just wonderful to see. Thinking of Lakota!!!!
Wonderful web site. A lot of useful information here. I am sending it to some pals ans additionally sharing in delicious. And certainly, thanks for your sweat