Lara Joy Brynildssen Photography

Each time I return to Onaqui, it’s as though I’m visiting old friends. It’s the best feeling in the world to catch up with them, and see how everyone’s been for the last few months... New images coming to you soon! • #themagicofwild #onaquimountainwildhorses #myoldfriends (at Utah) https://www.instagram.com/p/B3T_B1OndBI/?igshid=9xsu4jg8d5vl

I’m so glad it’s Thursday since this image is definitely a throwback for you... May of 2018 is when I first met my little boy Lucas and thus began a barely containable obsession with this adorable pinto colt. I’m guessing Lucas is currently between 17 and 18 months old and he is smack dab in the middle of that adolescent awkward growth phase. I’ll have current images of Lucas ready to share with you in a few weeks. Awkward or no, he’s still one of my favs. And - squee! - you should see his little pinto brothers Tide and Downey. They could not be more adorable. • Time with #themagicofwild is time well spent! (at Utah) https://www.instagram.com/p/B3KP1GQH3n-/?igshid=xem3hisq1gu7

I’m back in my happy place again. • #themagicofwild #saveonaqui #mywildlife (at Utah) https://www.instagram.com/p/B3IEML3nq4n/?igshid=104cf3teo1v2r

T minus ONE till I return to #themagicofwild. (at Utah) https://www.instagram.com/p/B3DjpsBHlu1/?igshid=18zhsr8mszll0

I’m hoping and praying and wishing for more of those beautiful Utah clouds this next two weeks. • T - 2 • #themagicofwild is calling me. (at Utah) https://www.instagram.com/p/B3A3phaHqdL/?igshid=5l1scm8akzae

These are real birds flocking around a real wild horse. #themagicofwild offers endless bounty when you watch and wait patiently. • T-3 • #horsesandbirds #wildhorsepc #onaquimountainwildhorses (at Utah) https://www.instagram.com/p/B29Gh02H_00/?igshid=5wkldr0g83n4

This land. These horses. My heart. • #T-4 to #themagicofwild • #onaquimountainwildhorses #mycountrytisofthee (at Utah) https://www.instagram.com/p/B27Ck6Ynfox/?igshid=82cpw3vau4dx

Sometimes Mr. Cremello just needs to make sure his lieutenant knows exactly who’s the boss. • #whostheboss #saveonaqui • T- 5 to #themagicofwild (at Utah) https://www.instagram.com/p/B24J1uyHZwP/?igshid=1fllr1ndlwbrf

Oh my goodness, remember the superbloom this spring? Best Easter Sunday EVER. • #superbloomsunday #saveonaqui #wildhorsepc #themagicofwild • T-7 (at Utah) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2y8y3Pnr7t/?igshid=1ba5rvmveiu1u

My math skills aren’t so good today but I think it’s T-8 to #themagicofwild. And, if you’re interested, swipe right to see Clementine, my baby kitty, a foster failure from last summer, and the sweetest little snuggle bug ever. • #wildhorsepc #saveonaqui #horsesaremylife #catstoo #adoptdontshop (at Utah) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2xd-ton3Ba/?igshid=1bc20569qf92q

Alrighty... we know from the image of a few weeks ago that while momma (the chestnut mare) is the image’s focus, we want to look for baby. See him? • #mudfight #allwildhorsesallthetime #saveonaqui #themagicofwild (at Utah) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2ur_ydHIZp/?igshid=96nz8jzr7x4o

I’m not expecting any dust storms on my next visit (T - 9!), but this sure was a memorable one. I’m obsessed with Clorox - as you know! - and especially his 2018 colt Lucas, the yearling pinto pictured here. I call him “my boy.” I think of him as “mine.” He can be yours too. And that’s the beauty of #themagicofwild. It belongs to all of us. Pick your favs. Love them all. Protect them with everything you have. • #allwildhorsesallthetime #saveonaqui #stoptheroundups #imwiththeband (at Utah) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2tysaBnkQU/?igshid=s4qdcrpnxiow

An oldie but a goodie, from autumn in Onaqui a few years ago... It’s funny how the dry and hot weather changes the landscape so much. That year there were few sunflowers - only a few dry skeletons - and the grasses had dried to the palest champagne gold. Last year it was a rich bronze-y red with spectacular moody skies, and this year? Well I guess I’ll know soon: T- 10. • #themagicodwild #saveonaqui #stoptheroundups #keepwildhorseswild (at Utah) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2r7Imtn5dq/?igshid=jkrocm1h18cp

The moon and the desert have many things in common. However, wild horses are not one of those things so given the choice I think I’ll just keep visiting Utah’s west desert. • T - 11 to #themagicofwild. • #flymetothemoon #saveonaqui #stoptheroundups #keepwildhorseswild (at Utah) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2oiNP9n_Q_/?igshid=a8r56nelyduf

Announcement: today is T minus 12. Any guesses what that countdown is for? Hmmmm? Hint: it has to do with #themagicofwild • #saveonaqui #stoptheroundups #keepwildhorseswild (at Utah) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2m764-nSFU/?igshid=ykpy01mhumnv

I realized, as I decided what image to share with you all today, that many of the wild horses I’ve photographed over the years - especially in Nevada - have been “rounded up.” I’m grateful that on this, the last day of the Onaqui 2019 round up, so far both the north and south herds are “safe.” The many mustang faces I have shared with you over the years are still wild and free. This doesn’t lessen my grief about the two deaths, or the almost 200 horses that have lost their freedom. It makes me even sadder since we - the over 80% of Americans who believe wild horses should remain free - can’t get the government agencies to listen and act in accordance with our wishes. So many of us have worked together, and tried, and I know we will continue to work together and to try. So thank you to everyone in this epic battle for mustang freedom. Today let’s celebrate the Salt River wild horses, a management and PZP program that IS working, where horses are not “rounded up,” and let’s take heart in that achievement. As always, many more images to come. Enjoy. • We can work together to save #themagicofwild. #saveonaqui #stoptheroundups #letsworktogether (at Arizona) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2jcTjyn3UC/?igshid=tanoqxpb57fo

You know what this reminds me of? Back in elementary school, where everyone would line up for recess (or lunch, or gym...) and everyone would dutifully file down the hallway and then suddenly, two boys would start to slug it out, for no apparent reason at all. That’s exactly what these two young horses did. The sun rose up over the mountain, the family band moved in an orderly single file line and then these two would pop up, scuffle, walk a bit, scuffle a bit, walk some more... It was great fun for me with the golden light, soft clouds of sage brush and silhouettes! As always, many more to come. Enjoy. • #themagicofwild (at California) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2g6-yIHMvD/?igshid=r593k4ps8sot