We take a lot of pictures when we visit the basin. Sometimes, the individual photos don't really tell the whole story of what happens, so we'll often put together a series post. This is the series that produced one of my favorite images, When The Dust Settles.
There was so much chaos and shenanigans at the water hole this day, that it ended up being too long even for a series post! But we know you love to see the action so we did our best to put it all together in this blog post for you!
These photos were taken on May 28, 2023 and some band changes have since happened. In this series, Winchester had three mares who were previously in Gus' band. Winchester expelled a lot of energy, desperate to keep these mares. He ultimately lost them and has since been hanging out with his bachelor buddy, Jigsaw. He was fairly skinny in this series, but rest assured, he has since gained weight and is a full blown chonk.
Meet Renata, the key figure in this story. Renata is a wild stallion living in Sand Wash Basin, Colorado.
On this day, he followed in Winchester with his three mares into the water hole.
Winchester has always been a bachelor stallion since we've photographed him so we were surprised to see he had three mares with him.
Winchester runs off Renata.
Putting enough distance in between them to get a drink with the ladies.
In the distance, Butch's band slowly makes its way to the same water hole.
Renata runs out to challenge the new arrivals as Winchester looks on.
Butch isn't having any of it though and immediately send a message to Renata to back off.
They have a quick exchange.
Renata backs off slightly.
But draws the attention of two yearling colts in Butch's band.
They curiously approach the posturing Renata.
Butch watches as the yearlings approach.
Renata, still posturing, turns away from the band.
Butch relaxes slightly.
But Renata turns back.
Butch watches intently as Renata exchanges deep breaths with the yearling colts.
Renata stomps.
And snorts, as Butch holds his ground.
Renata turns and begins walking towards the water.
As Butch watches him, one of the curious yearlings follows Renata.
Renata suddenly turns back and the yearling quickly retreats.
Butch moves forward to challenge Renata.
As the yearling retreats to the safety of the band.
Butch advances.
And Renata rears up.
The band shuffles to back away.
Renata doesn't back down.
And neither does Butch.
He stands his ground between Renata and his band.
Renata postures some more.
Tossing his head.
Before he turns away from Butch.
Only to turn right back around.
And continue the challenge.
His movements draw Winchester's attention.
As Renata turns back to face Butch.
Winchester makes his move in front of a slightly surprised Butch.
Renata takes off, directly at mare Miracle and new foal, Donny.
Renata is fast.
But Winchester was faster.
Closing the distance and biting hard on Renata's butt.
Miracle, behind the approaching stallions, pins her ears back in warning.
Renata bucks to get Winchester off of him as Miracle and Donny move out of their way.
Butch sees where they're heading and advances.
Winchester pulls up short.
As Renata turns back towards the fleeing band.
Winchester begins back towards his band he had left in the pond.
As Winchester retreats.
Butch advances, pissed off that Renata has disrupted his band.
He's goes after Renata.
Renata takes off through the dust.
Putting some distance between himself and Butch.
Tossing his head.
Before turning back towards the band and the water hole.
He flies past Butch.
Before turning back and stomping.
But once again.
Winchester advances.
And Renata takes off again.
Winchester pursues for a bit.
And members of Butch's band, impatient for water, begin to make their way to the water's edge.
Winchester suddenly turns back from his pursuit of Renata and returns to his band.
Once Winchester turns back, so does Renata.
Butch challenges him and his only option was to take off through the pond.
Spooking Butch's band in the process.
Renata continued on through the water and ran off after Winchester, who had previously gathered his band and left. With the chaos dying down, Butch's band was able to finally get to the water hole for a drink!
Miracle kept a close eye on Donny during the chaos and he stuck close to her! Butch's band got hydrated and then left the water hole shortly afterwards.
Aren't you glad you don't have to go through all this just to get a drink of water?
