Gentry Ranger Tower

Black Canyon Lake

Forest slow to recover from the 2002 Rodeo-Chediski fire.  Prior to the fire this area was covered in beautiful green trees and shrubs. 

Lots of cattle grazing in and around the dedicated Heber Wild Horse Territory.  

We saw about 10 deer in all.  These two were from a group of about 6.  Difficult to count them when sitting a good distance away in a truck while some of them were bounding away.  These two were some that posed for us giving us that "deer in the headlights" look.  

Moving along we came to another bachelor band of three.  There are many young bachelors in the Heber Herd at this time do to the fact that for the past few years there were a majority of colts born compared to fillies.  This will alter the herd in future years with fewer foals being born as the adult mares age and the number of producing mares declines.  

Big bay trying to get the buckskin to play...

Much to the disappointment of the bay, the buckskin wants no part of it.  

On FS 300 we came upon a bachelor band of 4.  When viable herd numbers are discussed, keep in mind that does not include non producers such as bachelors.  Only producers are counted, not horses that are too old or too young or bachelors.  

Farther up the road a family band was spotted in among the trees.  There were approximately 10 horses in this band.  This dun stallion has primitive face markings.  A dun with this dark mask is often said to have a "dirty face" which like leg bars is a primitive marking.  

His band consisted of horses of several different colors...  

And different ages.  This little foal has a frosty tail.  

Little bay colt.

An older foal.  

We saw no wild horses along FS 51 on this day.

One of the first things we noticed after turning onto FS Rd 51 were the beehives which we had never seen in this forest before.  In this photo two beekeepers were tending to several of the hives.  The hives were located in many different places along the 51 and the 300.