One Of The Many Reasons I Love Northwestern Nevada

Almost every day at work, I get the privilege of being able to sit for a short time and watch the wild Mustangs that roam the hills of Northwestern Nevada. For those of us who live here, they are common enough that we notice them, but may take their presence and beauty for granted. It isn't out of the ordinary to see them on the hills grazing as you drive down the interstate, or as you travel some of the less beaten paths outside of the city.

I happen to work off one of those less beaten paths, and get to see them every day. Often times I have to stop on the way to work while they cross the road. Most of the time though, I watch them from out parking lot as they play, and graze, and sometimes fight. I even watched one give birth just a short distance away, and was surprised when two or three of the herd stood around as if they were protecting the mother while she lay on the ground having her foal.

They are truly amazing creatures, and outside of having to stop when the cross the road, and walk around the droppings they leave in the parking lot on occasion, they really are unobtrusive. The gardeners hate that they are constantly having to plant new vegetation, and try to find plants that horses don't find tasty, but that really is a small price to pay to be able to see them every day and observe how they interact with one another.

The herd is large from what I am told, but they seem to travel in smaller groups while being part of the bigger herd. The smaller groups are never very far from other smaller groups, but it looks as if there is some sort of separation. Maybe like immediate families are in their own little group all all the time, but are still accepted and part of the extended family that makes up the herd as a whole. I am not sure how to best explain it.

The other day, when I arrived at work, they were grazing close to the building and I was able to snap some photos on my cell phone of them.