Great Divide Basin, Wyoming

Drinking from the well of life.

Time at the watering hole is, I’d like to think, as sacred for me as it is for them. As I observe all the wildlife that comes in for nourishment, I am reminded of our shared connection to the essence of life. 

It is quite fascinating watching the spectacle that unfolds at a waterhole.  As stallions battle for drinking right. This stallion and his lieutenant stallion came in to water only after making sure they established their right to be first. 

While watching them drink you could feel their bodies soaking up the hydration: Life being sustained. The horses had run in from quite a distance, stood their ground and were replenishing themselves for the day. 

Horses, in all their natural wisdom, not only drink the water but will partake of the earth itself. They consume the surrounding dirt and mud to absorb the rich minerals and nutrients it has provided them. Again, proving that mother nature has given them all they need to thrive in these harsh environments. 

Horses are not merely inhabitants, they are literally woven into the fabric of the natural world, a vital thread in the ecological tapestry. Their presence, like all wildlife is a testament to the delicate balance of life on this planet.

As stewards of the world, it will forever be up to us to safeguard and protect wildlife and the lands they call home.