June 19-June 26 , 2010
Wild mustangs invoke the spirit of the old west. The Bighorn Basin of northwest Wyoming is prime wild mustang habitat. We will concentrate our effort in 2 different wild horse management areas (HMA), McCullough Peaks , and the Pryor Mountain National Wild Horse Range. In addition, the basin is a scenic photographers delight with stunning mountain backdrops, colorful badlands, and rugged canyons. A photographer could spend a lifetime in the Bighorn Basin and never explore all there is to see.
Cost $1895 with double occupancy- Deposit $350 - Limited to 6 participants
From Cody, Wyoming
Wild mustangs invoke the spirit of the old west. The Bighorn Basin of northwest Wyoming is prime wild mustang habitat. We will concentrate our effort in 3 different wild horse management areas (HMA), McCullough Peaks HMA, Fifteen Mile HMA, and the Pryor Mountain National Wild Horse Range. In addition, the basin is a scenic photographers delight with stunning mountain backdrops, colorful badlands, and rugged canyons. A photographer could spend a lifetime in the Bighorn Basin and never explore all there is to see.
The McCullough Peaks HMA is located 12 miles east of Cody, Wyoming (70 miles east of Yellowstone National Park) and encompasses 109,814 acres of land, including the McCullough Peaks Wilderness Study Area. The climate is typical of a cold desert with annual precipitation averaging five to nine inches. Stock reservoirs and intermittent streams fed by winter snows and spring runoff provide adequate water for the HMA. Topography is highly variable, ranging from mostly flat to slightly rolling foothills carved by drainage's, to colorful badlands and desert mountains featuring steep slopes, cliffs, and canyons.
A diversity of coat colors (bay, brown, black, sorrel, chestnut, white, buckskin, gray, palomino, red and strawberry roans, and blue) and patterns such as piebald and skewbald are found in the McCullough Peaks wild horses. The animals tend to be moderate- to large-sized and habitat conditions are such that the horses are in very good condition.
The The Pryor Mountain National Wild Horse Range is the home of the most genetically pure descendants of the original Spanish mustangs. Created in 1968 as the nations first protected wild horse range the rugged beauty of the terrain and the unique lineage of the horses make this a remarkable photography location. There are currently around 150 horses in 25 bands roaming the ranges 31,000 acres. The terrain varies from desert and badlands to rugged canyons to pine and fir forests and alpine meadows. During the time of our visit many of the horses may be found running amid the wildflowers in the high meadows and ridges which rise to 8,000 feet in altitude.
The Bighorn Basin offers numerous spectacular scenic photo opportunities. Colorful badlands in the "Fifteen Mile" area rival the painted desert in Arizona and are rarely visited or photographed. The spectacular Bighorn Canyon will remind you a bit of the Grand Canyon. The variety of subject matter is limitless and you'll soon find yourself wishing for more time to explore and photograph this most inspiring corner of Wyoming.
Day 1 - Arrive in Cody, Wyoming. In the evening we will meet for an orientation dinner and discussion or our upcoming photo adventure.
Days 2-4 - We spend the next 3 days exploring the badlands and sagebrush steppes of the McCullough Peaks HMA and the Fifteen Mile HMA looking for different bands of wild horses. We will return to the motel each evening after sundown. We will seek out each day the very best photographic subjects and spend time thoroughly working each situations we find. Our goal is for you to take home the very best photographs that conditions will allow.
Day 5 - We spend one last morning with the McCullough Peak horses and head to the motel by 11:00 am to check out of our rooms. We will take a short 50 mile drive to our next accommodations in Lovell, Wyoming. After we check in and get settled we'll take an afternoon drive out to the Pryor Mountains Wild Horse Range for an evening shoot..
Day 6-7 - We spend our days searching different bands of the Pryor Mountain horses and exploring the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area.
Day 8 - We'll go out in the morning for one last shoot in the Pryors or the Bighorn Canyon after which we will go back and check out of our rooms and journey back to Cody. You may schedule your departure for home anytime after arrival in Cody which will be at approximately 2:00 pm.
Equipment: We recommend a minimum of 300mm telephoto lens for this tour in addition to a variety of wide angle lenses or zooms and a mid range zoom lens. If you are shooting film bring at least 5 rolls per day depending on your shooting habits. Digital shooters will want to bring along a couple of flash cards and a means to download images when cards get full. We always suggest you bring along 2 camera bodies if possible in case of equipment failure. A tripod and a good ballhead is strongly encouraged.
Clothing: Clothing should be comfortable and adequately cover a full range of weather conditions and temperatures. Expect everything from warm and sunny temperatures into the 70's to very cool and rainy, possibly snow especially in some of the higher elevations we will be working. In the mornings temperatures will likely be in the 30's so we recommend layering clothing and even a light pair of gloves would be advised. A sturdy yet light weight, comfortable and maybe waterproof hiking boot is suggested.
The cost of this tour includes 7 nights lodging (double occupancy), field transportation, orientation dinner, and lunch daily. Single supplement for this tour is $250.
GROUP MINIMUM: Occasionally, we are able to run a tour below our group minimum which is usually 4. In such instances it may be necessary to apply a small group supplement in which case you would be contacted regarding such a situation but you would not be obligated to accept the new terms.
RESERVATIONS: Your $350 deposit is required to secure your place on any tour, with the balance due 60 days prior to the departure date. Deposits are fully refundable if cancellation is received at least 91 days prior to the departure date. Upon receipt of your deposit, we will mail you our acknowledgment and tour reservation form. Details of hotels, flight arrival recommendations, and other trip tips will be mailed when the tour is full.
MEALS: Some meals and refreshments are included depending on the trip details, but not alcoholic beverages.
ADMISSIONS: Access to public buildings and national parks etc. is not included in the land price.
CANCELLATIONS: All cancellations must be confirmed in writing, and due to costs incurred by Franzfoto Safari's in arranging a tour, the following penalties apply.
For written cancellation received 91 or more days prior to departure, your deposit is fully refundable.
For written cancellation received 61 to 90 days prior to departure, a cancellation fee of $175 will be due.
For written cancellation received 31 to 60 days prior to departure, a cancellation fee of 25% of land cost will be due.
For written cancellation received 30 days or less prior to departure, a cancellation fee of 50% of land cost, plus non-recoverable deposits will be due.
If your place can be resold, Franzfoto Safari's will reduce the penalties, or give a 100% refund. Franzfoto Safari's strongly suggest that tour participants invest in trip cancellation insurance.
CANCELED EXPEDITIONS: In the event of insufficient tour sign-ups, Franzfoto Safari's reserves the right to cancel any given tour. In that event 100% of moneys received will be returned. However, Franzfoto Safari is not responsible for expenses incurred by its customers.
LUGGAGE: Franzfoto Safaris request that tour participants limit their luggage to the equivalent of one suitcase, one flight bag, one camera bag, and tripod. We do not wish to be dictatorial in this matter, but asks that group members bear in mind space and comfort in our vehicles. All personal luggage is the responsibility of the owner.
SMOKERS: Smoking is not permitted at meals or in vehicles. It can be permitted at photo stops where local ordinances permit, photography and photographers are not affected.
RESPONSIBILITY: Franzfoto Safari's and its agents act only as agents for the passenger in all matters relating to travel arrangements, and as such, do not assume responsibility for injury, accident, damage, loss, delay or irregularity which may occur via defect of transportation or any other cause. Franzfoto Safari's reserves the right to substitute hotels, and other previously outlined arrangements as necessary, to either improve or equal the travel experience. Franzfoto Safari's reserves the right to pass on to tour members any additional and unplanned expenditures incurred during a tour, via events beyond Franzfoto Safari's control. The right is reserved to accept or decline any person as a member of any tour.
Payment of tour fees by trip participants constitutes their acceptance of all conditions contained herein.
Wild mustangs invoke the spirit of the old west. The Bighorn Basin of northwest Wyoming is prime wild mustang habitat. We will concentrate our effort in 2 different wild horse management areas (HMA), McCullough Peaks , and the Pryor Mountain National Wild Horse Range. In addition, the basin is a scenic photographers delight with stunning mountain backdrops, colorful badlands, and rugged canyons. A photographer could spend a lifetime in the Bighorn Basin and never explore all there is to see.
Cost $1895 with double occupancy- Deposit $350 - Limited to 6 participants
From Cody, Wyoming
Wild mustangs invoke the spirit of the old west. The Bighorn Basin of northwest Wyoming is prime wild mustang habitat. We will concentrate our effort in 3 different wild horse management areas (HMA), McCullough Peaks HMA, Fifteen Mile HMA, and the Pryor Mountain National Wild Horse Range. In addition, the basin is a scenic photographers delight with stunning mountain backdrops, colorful badlands, and rugged canyons. A photographer could spend a lifetime in the Bighorn Basin and never explore all there is to see.
The McCullough Peaks HMA is located 12 miles east of Cody, Wyoming (70 miles east of Yellowstone National Park) and encompasses 109,814 acres of land, including the McCullough Peaks Wilderness Study Area. The climate is typical of a cold desert with annual precipitation averaging five to nine inches. Stock reservoirs and intermittent streams fed by winter snows and spring runoff provide adequate water for the HMA. Topography is highly variable, ranging from mostly flat to slightly rolling foothills carved by drainage's, to colorful badlands and desert mountains featuring steep slopes, cliffs, and canyons.
A diversity of coat colors (bay, brown, black, sorrel, chestnut, white, buckskin, gray, palomino, red and strawberry roans, and blue) and patterns such as piebald and skewbald are found in the McCullough Peaks wild horses. The animals tend to be moderate- to large-sized and habitat conditions are such that the horses are in very good condition.
The The Pryor Mountain National Wild Horse Range is the home of the most genetically pure descendants of the original Spanish mustangs. Created in 1968 as the nations first protected wild horse range the rugged beauty of the terrain and the unique lineage of the horses make this a remarkable photography location. There are currently around 150 horses in 25 bands roaming the ranges 31,000 acres. The terrain varies from desert and badlands to rugged canyons to pine and fir forests and alpine meadows. During the time of our visit many of the horses may be found running amid the wildflowers in the high meadows and ridges which rise to 8,000 feet in altitude.
The Bighorn Basin offers numerous spectacular scenic photo opportunities. Colorful badlands in the "Fifteen Mile" area rival the painted desert in Arizona and are rarely visited or photographed. The spectacular Bighorn Canyon will remind you a bit of the Grand Canyon. The variety of subject matter is limitless and you'll soon find yourself wishing for more time to explore and photograph this most inspiring corner of Wyoming.
Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrive in Cody, Wyoming. In the evening we will meet for an orientation dinner and discussion or our upcoming photo adventure.
Days 2-4 - We spend the next 3 days exploring the badlands and sagebrush steppes of the McCullough Peaks HMA and the Fifteen Mile HMA looking for different bands of wild horses. We will return to the motel each evening after sundown. We will seek out each day the very best photographic subjects and spend time thoroughly working each situations we find. Our goal is for you to take home the very best photographs that conditions will allow.
Day 5 - We spend one last morning with the McCullough Peak horses and head to the motel by 11:00 am to check out of our rooms. We will take a short 50 mile drive to our next accommodations in Lovell, Wyoming. After we check in and get settled we'll take an afternoon drive out to the Pryor Mountains Wild Horse Range for an evening shoot..
Day 6-7 - We spend our days searching different bands of the Pryor Mountain horses and exploring the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area.
Day 8 - We'll go out in the morning for one last shoot in the Pryors or the Bighorn Canyon after which we will go back and check out of our rooms and journey back to Cody. You may schedule your departure for home anytime after arrival in Cody which will be at approximately 2:00 pm.
What to Bring
Equipment: We recommend a minimum of 300mm telephoto lens for this tour in addition to a variety of wide angle lenses or zooms and a mid range zoom lens. If you are shooting film bring at least 5 rolls per day depending on your shooting habits. Digital shooters will want to bring along a couple of flash cards and a means to download images when cards get full. We always suggest you bring along 2 camera bodies if possible in case of equipment failure. A tripod and a good ballhead is strongly encouraged.
Clothing: Clothing should be comfortable and adequately cover a full range of weather conditions and temperatures. Expect everything from warm and sunny temperatures into the 70's to very cool and rainy, possibly snow especially in some of the higher elevations we will be working. In the mornings temperatures will likely be in the 30's so we recommend layering clothing and even a light pair of gloves would be advised. A sturdy yet light weight, comfortable and maybe waterproof hiking boot is suggested.
The cost of this tour includes 7 nights lodging (double occupancy), field transportation, orientation dinner, and lunch daily. Single supplement for this tour is $250.
GROUP MINIMUM: Occasionally, we are able to run a tour below our group minimum which is usually 4. In such instances it may be necessary to apply a small group supplement in which case you would be contacted regarding such a situation but you would not be obligated to accept the new terms.
RESERVATIONS: Your $350 deposit is required to secure your place on any tour, with the balance due 60 days prior to the departure date. Deposits are fully refundable if cancellation is received at least 91 days prior to the departure date. Upon receipt of your deposit, we will mail you our acknowledgment and tour reservation form. Details of hotels, flight arrival recommendations, and other trip tips will be mailed when the tour is full.
MEALS: Some meals and refreshments are included depending on the trip details, but not alcoholic beverages.
ADMISSIONS: Access to public buildings and national parks etc. is not included in the land price.
CANCELLATIONS: All cancellations must be confirmed in writing, and due to costs incurred by Franzfoto Safari's in arranging a tour, the following penalties apply.
For written cancellation received 91 or more days prior to departure, your deposit is fully refundable.
For written cancellation received 61 to 90 days prior to departure, a cancellation fee of $175 will be due.
For written cancellation received 31 to 60 days prior to departure, a cancellation fee of 25% of land cost will be due.
For written cancellation received 30 days or less prior to departure, a cancellation fee of 50% of land cost, plus non-recoverable deposits will be due.
If your place can be resold, Franzfoto Safari's will reduce the penalties, or give a 100% refund. Franzfoto Safari's strongly suggest that tour participants invest in trip cancellation insurance.
CANCELED EXPEDITIONS: In the event of insufficient tour sign-ups, Franzfoto Safari's reserves the right to cancel any given tour. In that event 100% of moneys received will be returned. However, Franzfoto Safari is not responsible for expenses incurred by its customers.
LUGGAGE: Franzfoto Safaris request that tour participants limit their luggage to the equivalent of one suitcase, one flight bag, one camera bag, and tripod. We do not wish to be dictatorial in this matter, but asks that group members bear in mind space and comfort in our vehicles. All personal luggage is the responsibility of the owner.
SMOKERS: Smoking is not permitted at meals or in vehicles. It can be permitted at photo stops where local ordinances permit, photography and photographers are not affected.
RESPONSIBILITY: Franzfoto Safari's and its agents act only as agents for the passenger in all matters relating to travel arrangements, and as such, do not assume responsibility for injury, accident, damage, loss, delay or irregularity which may occur via defect of transportation or any other cause. Franzfoto Safari's reserves the right to substitute hotels, and other previously outlined arrangements as necessary, to either improve or equal the travel experience. Franzfoto Safari's reserves the right to pass on to tour members any additional and unplanned expenditures incurred during a tour, via events beyond Franzfoto Safari's control. The right is reserved to accept or decline any person as a member of any tour.
Payment of tour fees by trip participants constitutes their acceptance of all conditions contained herein.
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