Where the Horses Run Wild [Behind the Photo]

For generations, wild horses roamed freely across the caribbean vegetation that once belonged to the U.S. Navy for over 60 years. Used as a live military training range, nearly 25,000 acres was purchased by the U.S. Navy in the 1940′s, and in 2003, with years of citizen protests, the U.S. ordered all military operations and presence to withdraw from Vieques, Puerto Rico.

Behind the Photo - Where the Horses Run Wild

On a recent trip to Vieques, Puerto Rico, I guided a travel mate around the 5 mile wide island to one of two National Wildlife Refuge, and then approached the now open fields where mango trees bloom from June-August. The horses gather to feed off fallen mangos and/or rest in the shade provided by the 40-50ft mango trees.

As we approached the open field and parked the SUV, a mother and young horse instantly walked up with a curious mind. Still getting out the door I quickly grabbed my Panasonic GH2 and snap a photo before they turn and walk away.

Mother and the Young

The young horse, the most curious of them all, would follow me around the field as I photographed the other horses.

The Young Horse

The horses have a friendly characteristic and usually show no sign of aggression, if anything, they will walk away or keep their distance. All together there were 8-10 horses in separate groups, most of them, showed no interest to my friend and I and kept their distance.

There were a few cases when one of the horses, and of course the young horse, kept walking closer and closer to the camera lens.

Looking through the view finder I notice how close the two horses were from me, and keeping my position to not create any sudden movement, I kept snapping away.

Camera Friendly Horses

Where the Horses Run Wild