MONTANA MAJESTY
Montana Majesty
Montana is a photographer's paradise. It's a land of towering mountains and wide-open spaces, of vast prairies and roaring rivers. It's a place where the wild things still roam, where the old ways are still respected, and where the land itself seems to hold a kind of magic and mystery. From the snow-capped peaks of the Rocky Mountains to the wide-open plains, there is no shortage of stunning landscapes and majestic wildlife to capture. For me, the highlight of Montana is the wild horses of Wild Horse Island on Flathead Lake.
Wild Horse Island is a 2,164-acre state park located on Flathead Lake, the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi. It's home to a small herd of wild horses, first brought to the island in the early 1900s. The island is only accessible by boat, and as I make my way across the choppy waters, the wind whips through my hair, the sun beats down on my skin, and the smell of the lake fills the air. Its the beginning of what I start to sense will be a spectacular day.
I feel at one with this place. The horses are a sight to behold - strong and muscular, with flowing manes and tails that shimmer in the sun. The isolation of being on an island allows for no distractions, just the simple joy of having a camera and a connection with nature.
I tried to capture a small slice of Montana in my photographs. I captured the light as it danced across the mountains, the shadows as they crept through the valleys, and the colors as they shifted with the passing of the day. Yet, there is so much more to discover. Deep down I know Montana can not be captured in one or two photographs. But perhaps in a lifetime, I can certainly try.
Montana is a place that stays with me. It's a place of wildness and beauty, of history and culture. It's a place that reminds us of the power and importance of the natural world and of our connection to it. It's a place I will always hold close to my heart.