Moments after this photo was captured, he raced off to gather a few stray cattle. He isn’t big enough yet to get his feet in the stirrups, he is usually riding his own horse, with no saddle. There are only but a few young men in this small town that will carry on the traditions, this is the future of the Las Pampas gaucho. I’ve been lucky enough to photograph him for a few years now. Each year his skills are progressing and his tasks becoming more important. I hope to see them again this year. This image was shot assignment for an upcoming film Finding Fontinalis.
It’s a humbling experience to see your work in print. The studying, the tinkering, the leaning, the support, and all the mistakes finally come together for one complex click of a button. I couldn’t be more pleased to see my imagery of my friends Millie and Oggy in retail stores. The shop pictured here is Emerald Water Anglers in Washington. If you’re ever in the Seattle area be sure to swing into this amazing one of a kind shop! Thanks for sending in the great pic Catie!
HEADED TO THE SOUTHERN HEMI Las Pampas, Chubut, Argentina
I had time to drop bags, wash clothes, download cards, charge batteries and repack. I’m headed south to Argentina and over the boarder to Chile. I’m looking forward to linking up with with my old friends and the gauchos. After every return trip I always wish I had more time to experience and explore this region. I feel fortunate that I am able to see just a small glimpse of it all.
This venture has many moving parts including the rivers, lakes, camp, photography and cinematography. Imagery and motion captured here will be used for various outlets including the lodge and for an upcoming work in progress. A conservation film with Travis Lowe titled Finding Fontinalis, showing in 2016. Stay tuned.
CATALOG + AD + DIGITAL + WEBSITE Las Pampas, Chubut, Argentina
I’m very excited to see an image in the new 2015 Patagonia catalog. This image was taken in one of my favorite places, Las Pampas in rural Argentina. We had hiked in a remote trail down to the river. It started out a bluebird day and by the day’s end it was raining sideways. We stumbled on the old gauchos working the cattle. They wanted to chat, so we did, in the pouring rain. Here Oggy talks fishing with the locals. What an adventure!
On this particular trip the crew consisted of Patagonia’s Bart Bonime and Dexter Levandoski. An exploratory trip that has morphed into an upcoming conservation film with Travis Lowe titled Finding Fontinalis, showing in 2016. This was also the trip that sparked the idea on establishing the upcoming creation of “Fundacion Truchas Patagonia”. Stay tuned for more exciting stuff coming out of the Patagonia Fish camp.
A SERIES OF BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOGRAPHS A few Black and White moments from my life on the road
“When you photograph people in color, you photograph their clothes. But when you photograph people in Black and white, you photograph their souls!” ― Ted Grant
+Playa Blanca, Yucatan Johnny Pares spinning up some topwater bonefish flies.
+Skagit River, Washington Scott Wilson swinging for saltwater rainbows on an early foggy morning.
+Las Pampas, Argentina Argentine Gaucho, Jonathan Nunis, observes the outcome of his trusty calving rope work. Jonathan is one of the few old World gauchos, the last of his kind. It’s very much a fragile way of life in the new realm of technology, power and greed. I’ve never felt so humbled, so welcomed, so very small and insignificant in the big small world. It’s my hope their way of life continues forever.
+Casa Blanca, Yucatan A Yucatan Osprey heads to a palm tree with breakfast in its talons. I enjoyed watching the hunt and the feast, a day I won’t forget.
+Remote backcountry, Argentina Yvon Chouinard studying maps of the expedition in his tent. Andes Mountains, Argentina. This image represents my childhood dream and my childhood hero. A good role model and hero can make a difference, especially for the youngsters. It could be anyone really, a parent, a friend, someone who over came the odds, maybe a neighbor, perhaps a coach, an explorer, probably someone with a backbone that created positive change, it could be anyone with integrity, guts and bravery. These types follow their own quest, which is more often than not, the hard road. They fail but get back up and keep on going with their integrity and spine in tact, and they instill the seed of chance in others. Decades later I was the middle of the Andes Mountains gearing up for a big adventure. Ironically my childhood hero was also on the expedition team. I feel very fortunate to have captured this moment, for me it’s an internal lifetime accomplishment. It was also an inspiring moment, solidifying with certainty; the only limitations are those we put on ourselves. You can do anything you want to, you just have to actually want to do it. The champ is still going hard, still following his dreams, and still forging his own path. And its not everyday you get to bring your childhood hero on an expedition and take his picture when he’s not looking. Thirty-years later, I’m inspired once again.
Local gaucho of the Andes Mountains, Jonathan, headed home on his faithful horse after a good day of roping calves on foot in Las Pampas.
Location:Patagonia, Las Pampas, Argentina
LAS PAMPAS GAUCHO LIFE | ARGENTINA Patagonia Cowboys
I’ve been fortunate to spend time with the secluded rural gaucho families. I’ve had the opportunity to photograph the day-to-day living, share a mate, partake in a family asado, brand and castrate cattle, and share a beer out of an old manure soiled hat with many. I’ve also been lucky to see a greater glimpse into their isolated quiet lives. Each year I look forward too seeing them all, I can’t wait to return.
Here, Jonathan is breaking down a calf after it suffered from a fatal jaw injury. A blow to the gaucho, this accident resulted in a loss much needed income. We were able to purchase some meat; they kept the rest for food, so not all was totally lost.
Last month while in rural Argentina I had a remarkable opportunity to spend time with the gauchos. I am very grateful for the chance to get a glimpse into their life, lifestyle and livelihood. They are all such great examples to me in how to exist in simple transcendental consciousness, the simplest form of human awareness.
This is an image of Hector racking-up his horse after he and his son roped a severely injured calf. Unfortunately the injury was fatal and the animal was put down. A tough blow to a gaucho, a grown cow is worth more at market than a calf. I was able to shoot the traditional killing and butchering process as well. Nothing is wasted out there, not even the blood. It was an incredible learning experience and the asado that followed a few days later was one of the best meals of my life…. I can’t wait to return.
“Si sos gaucho en de verás, no has de mudar, porque andequiera que vayas ira s con tu alma por delante.”
“If you’re really a gaucho, you can’t change, because wherever you go, you’ll go with your soul leading the way.” – Ricardo Guiraldes Don Segundo Sombra (translated1935)
