As storm clouds gather in the Pine Nut Mountains of Nevada, legendary blue roan stallion, "Blue",
pushes his band towards safety.
As I gazed out at the snow-covered peaks in Nevada, surveying the Fish Springs Range for any sign of wild horses, my mind filled with anticipation of the shot I could get - if only I could find them. The storm clouds gathering behind and in front of the Nevada peaks created a moody ambience that would be perfect for a black and white image.
I had heard that “Blue” and his band had recently been roaming the rugged hills at the front of the range, and I was determined to find him. But so far I’d been unsuccessful, seeing only a stray horse or two earlier in the day.
Suddenly, coming up over a ridge, I spotted a lead mare followed by just about a dozen horses and a stallion “snaking” the band from behind. "Blue" and his band were silhouetted against the clouds as they made their way across a ridge in front of the snow-capped mountains.
Wild horse photography can be “hit or miss”, so I felt the breath catch in my throat as I raised the camera to capture the moment. From previous sightings, I knew that "Blue" was truly a magnificent creature, his roan coat a deep shade of blue-gray that turned pitch black in winter.
Fish Springs' blue roan stallion known as "Blue" locking eyes with me
during a cold snowy winter day.
"Photography takes an instant out of time,
altering life by holding it still."
- Dorothea Lange
Pushing the band across the ridge, he moved with a grace and power that left me in awe, and I couldn't help but feel deep respect for his wild and untamed spirit. It sparked a sense of connection to something primal and elemental, something that spoke to the very essence of what it means to be alive in this world.
And then, just as suddenly as they had appeared, they were gone, disappearing into the rugged terrain of the mountains.
This memory of Blue and his band, captured forever in the image “Blue’s Band”, will stay with me always, an unforgettable display of the beauty of the wild.
This image, with the moodiness and stark contrasts, has become a favorite piece of wild horse artwork for my collectors - having done installations up to 9’ across.
Wild Horse Fine Art
Wild horse fine art photography has become for me a means of storytelling, advocacy, and preservation. As I travel the untamed landscapes of the American West, capturing the grace and beauty of wild mustangs,I hope to instill in others the same sense of wonder and respect for these magnificent creatures and the beautiful creation all around us.
I invite you to reach out to me online and together, through art, let’s preserve the legacy of America's wild horses, ensuring that they remain forever free and wild.
A Wild Horse Photographer’s Journey
An equestrian for most of her life, award winning photographer Maria Marriott combines her passion for horses with her art and the desire to bring public awareness to the American mustangs and the healing power of horses.
She is proud to have her equine fine art in collectors’ homes and offices throughout the world. Maria Marriott Photography is a proud supporter of non-profit organizations that tirelessly work to ensure the well-being of the American wild horses and promote healing through equine therapy.
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