Illusive Ares

Featured Image for August 2025

"Illusive Ares"

This is band stallion 'Ares" who lives with his band at the San Luis Obispo (SLO) Return to Freedom (RTF) Sanctuary.  When he and another family member, "Hotah", were adopted by RTF a few years ago, it was the beginning of efforts to reunite this family band.  Over the past few years, RTF has slowly been able to adopt and reunite several members of this family band.  They all experienced separation and developed a healthy mistrust of humans during their experiences being rounded up and removed from the public land where they roamed freely.

I lead photo safari's at the SLO sanctuary, and over time, this band has allowed the group of photographers to get a little closer.  We have earned their trust through deliberate respectful behavior.  This has enabled us to get some better closer portraits of "Ares" and his band.  What I've learned watching wild horses, is that there's a horse that typically watches us (group of photographers), and stands between us and the main herd.  The stallion typically stands on the far side of the herd from us.  "Ares" still does this, but this year, we've seen him get closer and let himself be seen.  It's a real treat!

This image was taken on July 19th, 2025, during a Saturday Summer Photo Safari.

Find all my favorite images in the Fine Art Gallery.