|
|
Post by doctorluz on Jun 16, 2012 17:19:10 GMT -5
I am new to Kiger viewing and plan a trip in a couple of weeks to try and get some photographs with a telephoto lens. any advice as to locations and optimal viewing would be much appreciated.
many thanks,
Lucy Griffith
Bend, OR and Comfort, TX
|
|
|
|
Post by Lee Williams on Jun 24, 2012 3:01:22 GMT -5
Still trying to go through the videos to sort out the bands but wow was it fun to watch ! Bobbe and Rick steered us in the right direction and we hit the mother load. Many a mile under saddle in areas we missed in previous trips. As the grass gets eaten down over the next couple months they should spread out but for now they seem to be getting along. We watched them graze fairly close together and then bunch up into bands and stood over the foals while they slept. I was happy with how close they let us get. 400- 500 yards in open ground and they still settled down for naps. They all new we were there. One dun stallion was smitten with our mare and paced back and forth with her nickering at him to make matters worse. The heat waves and my meager video camera made it hard to get great quality shots but I spent a lot of time zooming in on each band and should be able to get some markings and data going. I have to go frame by frame on the big screen and will be hard at it this week. We did count 5 possibly 6 distinctive bands. I will post the figures on the Facebook group "Branded Kiger Mustang Association" All video and picks will be there also. We have found released mare #8222 and her band so far. Van Gogh was Mr. Cool as the bands all rolled out after nap time and some mares needed rounding up. It was a spectacular site to watch all bug out up through the rocks and we left just thrilled. Weather kicked us out and kept us from going to Riddle but my son and I will be doing a three day foot trip in the next couple weeks in full camo there with the goal of just learning the area. Ronnie can give us the full tour next year.
|
|
|
|
Post by prizmbluekigers on Jun 26, 2012 10:41:04 GMT -5
Hi folks, brief update. We had issues with our editing program and bought a new version only to have it run once and fail so we have a computer issue. So sorry pictures are delayed.
We filmed for 4 days this weekend. We have some good footage, including coyotes stalking the herd. NO worries, the horses did not even alarm, they weren't worried. Foals all look good and a variety of ages. Some appear about 4-5 months, some 2-3 months and there is one that may be even younger it is a very pale small dun. There might be one grulla baby, there are 2 brown babies, a red dun colt with white blaze and of course duns . There are some very nice grulla mares and 3 grulla stallions. One is Van Gogh, another is about the same color. I believe we filmed him in 2009 and have not seen much of him since. Don't know if he was gate cut or just hid during the gather but I was glad to see him again. There is a silver grulla stallion, stocky build, no white and we have never seen him before, but he seems a great addition to the herd. He has 3 grulla mares in his band; pale silver, silver and darker silver and several dun mares, 3 foals. We saw 2 stallions rise up and bang into each other and one fall over backwards. Van Gogh and his look alike sparred once but not seriously. There are some bachelors hanging around on the fringes, they seem to pair off rather than form a band of their own. There is a group of 5 in the front allotment as you drive in - around the Ant Hill. There are horses on Big Hill and in Swamp Creek allotment also. As to the rest of hte HMA, we took the opportunity to film instead of search.
Most of the action took place in the Lambing Grounds and has it changed. They have been cutting Juniper and burning and the land is coming back green. It is a treat to seen green hillsides and I can imagine how it might have been before the Junipers invaded. They have a good hiding place near the Lambing Grounds so if you go out contact me and I can tell you the best way to locate them.
* For those who may get to the HMA, the Lower Diamond Road had been re-worked. It is good almost to the old wooden horse traps and they converted 2 water crossings that now have drainage pipes that you drive over. Word of waning tho! If you go Lower Diamond Raod with a trailer, one of the pipe overpasses is a tight turn for truck and trailer. Thanks BLM!
Again, sorry about the lack of pictures. Rick is taking the computer to the repair shop today.
|
|
|
|
Post by DianneC on Jun 26, 2012 12:11:34 GMT -5
Yeah for the culverts! Our little 2 wheel drive truck didn't like one of them at all. Good news on the health of the herds. I'm eager to get back out there.
|
|
zhiaral
Weanling
Dusk & Dam
Posts: 82 
|
Post by zhiaral on Jun 26, 2012 12:32:59 GMT -5
I wish there were some way to identify Dusks dam - she was #1204 off Riddle HMA, turned back out onto Kiger HMA, but she's just another no-white grulla... no help for picking her out from the other markingless grulla mares! I've been curious how she's doing, though, since I found out why she wasn't at the auction. I eagerly anticipate the pictures, and not just so I can wonder which one she is! Hopefully, after a few years Dusk and I will be able to go exploring out there.
|
|
|
|
Post by prizmbluekigers on Jun 26, 2012 17:00:04 GMT -5
Let me know when Dianne and I will give you all the info I have. You have been to teh Lambing Grounds so you will really appreciate the change for the better.
We may be able to identify Dusk's dam from the pictures, not all the Grulla mares seem to have brands and Rick tried to film as many of the horses individually as he could so I could record current foals and dams.
|
|
|
|
Post by Lee Williams on Jun 26, 2012 20:39:40 GMT -5
Started picking through our video but some white we see is nothing more than sun reflection. Two biggest bands appear to be Van Gogh and another Grulla with no white. Did you compare to the release photos Maggie took ? Two big Grullas there. Will recheck for brands.
|
|
|
|
Post by prizmbluekigers on Jul 1, 2012 19:23:25 GMT -5
Pictures, a few a day! Van Gogh - tip missing from his right ear and one left hind sock, numerous scars  This is the Silver Stallion that we have not seen before   |
|
|
|
Post by prizmbluekigers on Jul 2, 2012 8:54:07 GMT -5
Who wanted Grullas?   Couldn't figure out why the head in a hole. They were digging a hole in the dirt that turned out to have a very salty taste.  Watch this!  On the move  As Van Gogh started moving his band he passed another Grulla stallion and stopped for a "word". The two are very similar and for a brief instant in a moment of weakness we called the second one "Van Stop". Sorry, but it was late and we were tired.   It was over as soon as it had begun and they all went back to grazing. The second grulla stallion has no white and may have a freeze brand. Whe we first encountered him he was back in the Yank allotment and we saw little of him in 2009 or 2010 but I am 99% sure it is the same stallion. He seems to be about the same age as Van Gogh. The mystery stallion is the silver Grulla. In the bright sunlight he was so reflective that is showed up on film and Rick had to adjust settings to film him. He moves very nicely. Hope to have video on youtube soon - will post the link so you can see them in motion. Enjoy! |
|
|
|
Post by fantasykiger on Jul 2, 2012 21:06:29 GMT -5
Great pics  thanks for sharing such wonderful footage. I really look forward to seeing more. How did Fit do on his adventure ?? |
|
|
|
Post by Lee Williams on Jul 10, 2012 1:30:21 GMT -5
Love the action,,,,,,,,,,,, as long as I am not in the middle of it !
|
|
thanks for sharing such wonderful footage. I really look forward to seeing more.