Salt River Mustangs

After learning that there were mustangs at Arizona's Lower Salt River, I couldn't wait to get there. So, my photo pal and I took off on a Tuesday morning and headed to Coon Bluff Recreation Area on the Bush Highway, north of Mesa.

What a treat! We spent a couple of late morning hours down on the river photographing a herd of probably 60 or more, then left and went back in the late afternoon and spent a couple more hours.

Just as we thought the horses were calling it a day, spent from the rather intense activity, another flurry would have us lifting our cameras once again.

Brisk, sprite and absolutely beautiful, they finally wandered off into the trees, leaving a couple dozen people hyped and excited, chattering all the way back to their cars about the wonderful show they were given.

The photographs on this page were all taken in this one day, confirming the super activity that we witnessed.

A note that some parents may consider some of the pictures inappropriate for children.

We temporarily left the the Coon Bluff area to go check out another area down the road. We found there a huge herd, though they were more sedate, much less active than at Coon Bluff. So, we ended up going back to our original spot and continuing to take in the frolicking and splashing of the seemingly happy mustangs. Pure enjoyment.

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This and the following photos were taken in the fall on a return trip to Coon Bluff. There was not a large herd of mustangs present, only maybe a couple dozen. Nor were they as active as the previous (spring) trip. Upon walking the mile or so back to the car, we became surrounded by the horses as they made their way from the river to the banks, using the pedestrians' walking path. We did a decent job of giving them their space, but we felt trapped a couple of times when we had to wait for them to clear the path. They pretty much ignored us, though I felt for sure they must have sensed we were there. They were a bit too close for comfort; close enough that I couldn't use my zoom lens.

Yet another trip was taken to the Coon Bluff Recreation Area to get a glimpse of the mustangs at the river. No luck this time. In fact, other than lots of campers at the camping area, there were few people on the trail to where the horses can often be seen. This, I'm sure, was due mostly to the high water that cut off the trail. We were able to find an alternate route, albiet through a bit of muddy slush. But, to no avail. So, we left Coon Bluff, traveled 10 miles or so farther on Bush Highway near to the Butcher Jones Recreation Area. There, we found a dozen or so horses in a field of spring wildflowers, creating a stunning backdrop for the horses. We felt blessed. Here are the pictures of the horses. We were as taken with the fields of wildflowers as much as with the horses, so I have included a link to them. From there, we traveled the Apache Trail to Tortilla Flat. Enjoy the photos.