Wild Ponies of Chincoteague

Every day in the early evening the Wild Ponies of Chincoteague would gather in the wildlife refuge way out in this field. The field is to the right as you drive past the Welcome Center along the main road that traverses the refuge. The Ponies would play and romp and run around and munch on the grasses for hours. I count about 26 horses just in this one image alone. And swarming all around the Ponies were lots of birds, no doubt eating the insects that were biting the Ponies.

Lucky for me I had bought that longer zoom lens prior to leaving on this trip especially when I saw how far out the Ponies were from the road. The younger Ponies would play and frolic and run around their mothers and the rest of the herd. It was a treat to watch them.

Some day I would love to go back to Chincoteague. But if I never get back there, I can say I saw a great deal of what Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and Chincoteague Island has to offer. Wading birds, shore birds, the bay, the beach, the lagoon, the saltwater marshes, the Ponies. It is a magical place.

I'm hoping to get outdoors this weekend and get some new images. Of what, I'm not sure yet, but the desire is there so we'll see. ENJOY!

IN MEMORY
I've not forgotten what this day means to every American. My thoughts all day off and on have shifted somehow toward the memories from 9/11/01. Oh, how I wished this day was not in my memory. But as it is and we cannot go back . . . to all of those whose loved ones were lost and those who were directly affected by the attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and the flight in Pennsylvania that crashed, and to all Americans who watched on that fateful day, I pray. I remember . . .

Saltwater Marshes, Chincoteague Island, Virginia

In an effort to not bore you to death with my wading bird images, I decided something a little different might be in order. I mentioned in a previous post that I had fallen in love with the beautiful saltwater marshes of the Eastern Shore and especially enjoyed photographing them around Chincoteague Island. So I wanted to share a few more images of the marshes with you.

I eyed this weather worn driftwood laying randomly in the marsh early one afternoon, and after passing it several times, I decided to stop and take a photograph later in the day when the light was better.

I also noticed these dock poles randomly sticking up out of the marshes. Perhaps the dock they were attached to was blown away by a storm. Nonetheless, I couldn't help but snap a few images.

The Wild Ponies were everywhere I turned on Chincoteague Island and off in the distance on the wildlife refuge. However, I enjoyed photographing them most in the marshes with the beautiful green grasses swaying back and forth in the wind. The week is wrapping up too quickly. I had hoped to make plans to get out of town for a night this weekend, but rain seems to be moving in. Perhaps. ENJOY!

Beautiful Assateague Island National Seashore

Traveling to the Eastern Shore of Maryland last week, I pulled onto Assateague Island National Seashore, with a goal in mind to photograph the Wild Ponies. Needless to say, I was excited about the prospects of seeing them grazing on this barrier island. Wondering if they would even be close enough to photograph, yet reading exerts and seeing images online, I could only hope. Before I could even make my way past the entrance gate, there stood a Wild Pony grazing on the grasses. That just added to my enthusiasm. The motor route on Assateague takes you past miles of marshland and dense brush until you reach the farthest most point, South Ocean Beach. This area is perfect for visitors eager to spend the day sunbathing, beach combing or, need I say it, surfing. Unfortunately, further south the rangers had quarantined off the area due to nesting birds. Not to worry. All around the parking areas next to the beach stood the Wild Ponies grazing. Their long manes blowing with the ocean breezes was just an amazing sight.

After spending a few minutes at South Ocean Beach, I drove back out the same route I had taken in and about half a mile on the left I turned west onto the road leading to Old Ferry Landing. Basically this area has a parking lot, a short boardwalk and a small clapboard boathouse. But there, far off in the distance, out among the saltwater marshes, stood this small band of Wild Ponies. Knowing the horses were too far away for a decent image, I parked my car and pulled off my shoes. On went the muck boots and off I went trekking out into the marsh about 300 yards. Just enough to close the distance between me and those elusive horses. Mostly I trekked across mud and, well, more mud just to snap this next image. Later that evening I downloaded my images from the day. I opened them and stopped when I saw this one in particular. Boy was I happy I had gone to all that trouble. The beautiful azure greens of the saltwater marshes coupled with the tans and browns and cream colored coats of those Ponies just captivates you.

Before I left Old Ferry Landing, I walked out on the boardwalk for a short distance just in time to see I had scared up a Little Blue Heron that had been perched low next to the edge of the marsh out of my sight line. This is a Life List bird. Never before seen by me, but after seeing his blue bill I knew this wasn't your customary Great Blue Heron. I read later that the Little Blue Heron juveniles are born solid white and dramatically turn blue as they age into adults.

Leaving Assateague Island late that day after the best light of the day had finally faded away I drove south making my way to Chincoteague Island, Virginia. Yet, I know, without a shadow of a doubt, Assateague will stay with me forever. How could it not with its azure green saltwater marshes blowing in the ocean breezes. ENJOY!

Wild Ponies, Chincoteague Island, VA

Spending the week on Chincoteague Island along the Eastern Shore of Virginia has been a real treat. On the eastern side of the island, sits Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge which I have discovered, undoubtedly, is one of the most important refuges for birds along the Eastern Shore of Maryland and Virginia. The wildlife refuge is actually on Assateague National Seashore which begins in Maryland and runs south down into Virginia. Yesterday while getting a lay of the land, I discovered a small band of Wild Ponies on the northwest side of the island that were far easier to reach via car. They are also much closer in proximity which I loved.