Brave little filly.

I have returned from yet another trip which included spending time with some wild mustangs.

Upon this encounter I didn't find the same human interest from the herd as I had the times before. It was a hot, clear-skied afternoon. Several bands were gathered in a wide open expanse of sage. Many were huddled around sleeping band mates. Most of the mares had either foaled in recent months or were fully rounded with emminent offerings of their DNA.

The herd was calm and pensive while selecting the tiny morsels of grass at their hooves. I slowly but purposefully walked into their realm so as not to arise any doubt or suspicion to my query. I saw many of the same horses that I had seen in July and noticed several babies had grown taller. I stood quietly amongst them and took photos. As I stood there a young filly of less than 4 months inched her way closer and closer to me. Her eyes were bright and her ears forward and attentive to my calm voice as I told her how pretty she was. Her muzzle and nose were feverishly inhaling my scent. Each time I looked away or at the ground beneath me I could see her shadow approaching one step closer...if I looked up she starred at me or quickly put her nose to the grass as if she herself were not really noticing me but happily grazing the grass. This was a cute game that we played for several minutes. Her mother was several feet from us with a watchful eye but never raised her head in fear of this enounter with her baby.

I stretched out my arm to offer the scent of my hand to her...she barely touched her sweet, wet muzzle to me when she leaped back and hopped two feet. No other horse noticed or reacted to her movement. I stood there amazed at how brave she was and felt her contentment of her own fearlessness. She looked back at me from around the haunches of her brother as he nudged her away. I think I was the first human she had gotten this close to and I felt an honor in this. Another band of horses started moving each other around and this little family moved off as well.

Although the encounter was brief I relished in its purity. She was so curious and I was happy to oblige her investigation of this human. I hope to return to this same herd in October. I will certainly seek out this brave little filly.