I arrived back in Sand Wash Basin Herd Management Area the prior evening with mixed feelings about where I should plant myself for the night and subsequently the following morning. At 154,000 acres, it's a big fence-less expanse where horses can be practically anywhere at any given moment. Having arrived so late, I didn't have an opportunity for any scouting and I can never be sure what location will yield the best opportunity. But, I have a few favorite spots and so I decided to try and duck down out of the winds a bit in one of the many valleys.

I arrived just as the sun was setting around 9pm. Nighthawks were flying up and down the valley and several flew just a few feet away as I prepared to camp. I took it as a good sign. Hours later in the middle of the night, I awoke to a noise that at first sounded like a badger. Thankfully there was no cause for alarm, and it was actually several horses grazing just a few feet away. On the moonless night, I could only see their faint silhouettes and I went back to sleep hoping that they would still be nearby in the morning.

Once the sun came up and I was sufficiently awake to get into motion, I looked around as best I could, but there were no horses within view. The tall sagebrush and undulating terrain were hiding several groups, but I had no idea at first.

I spotted a small group of horses about 3/4 of a mile away, and I began walking their direction at a decent pace. Perhaps I was walking too fast, or perhaps they were feeling skittish but about six horses that I hadn't seen flushed out of the sagebrush and ran away. Wink, from last September, and her partner were among the horses. She stopped and seemed to contemplate turning back around, but surprisingly she snorted at me like horses and other animals can do sometimes when sounding an alarm. She and her partner along with the other horses all decided to head up the hill and out of the valley.

I felt like I had spoiled a great chance of photographing them again, but there were still the other horses in the distance that were undisturbed. At the same time, another group of five horses began descending into the valley and they were slowly heading my direction.

I decided to just stay put and not risk spooking this fresh opportunity. They soon noticed me and I recognized one of the leading mustangs -- it was the same gray male that had fought Wink's mustang in front of me last September. I had seen him at least one other time, and he definitely has one of the stronger personalities out in Sand Wash Basin.

Before long, the gray roan mustang with striking black mane and tail became acutely interested in me. He perked up and began trotting my direction intently. The other four horses followed. Closer and closer they came. The gray mustang seemed like he was curious but also posturing to show his territorial strength. Several of his mates weren't so confident and they worked themselves up into a brief frenzy as they galloped past me.

Kicking up dust and creating a bit of unnecessary drama, they circled past me and perched up on the slope just above the sagebrush valley. They quickly calmed down, but I could see in them some of the same nerves from the last several horses that had run up and out of the valley. I decided to walk away from them to help demonstrate that they were fine to graze in the valley. A nighthawk flew past me and perhaps it was another good omen.

I could see a positive response out of them, and they soon relaxed and returned to grazing. After a few more minutes past, I could again see the gray mustang showing a lot of interest in me, except this time the posturing and territorial nature of his attitude was gone. Now it seemed entirely about their curious side. I had established a bit of trust, and they decided to come over to me again.

I stayed put and watched as the gray mustang walked this time directly to me. His mates again followed. Eventually they would all be within ten feet. For several minutes they all grazed very close by. They reassured each other with gentle touches, and it was clear that they had total trust in each other... and even me. Their faces and hooves all came together just a few feet away as they enjoyed the green vegetation.

My long lens was the only one that I brought (besides the cell phone), and they were too close to photograph at such close distance. I took a few minutes of video while they were nearest, and eventually they continued on their path.

Satisfied with the two close opportunities with them, I decided to pack it up and leave them behind. It was a great little encounter and another one that taught me several little things about wild horses. Hopefully I'll get another chance to see them again.