Wild ponies on the Chincoteague barrier island along the Virginia coastline. The original horses were left behind during shipwrecks by Spanish explorers in the late 1500’s.
The original breed are thought to have been short work horses from the Mediterranean islands.
Today there are numerous small herds living on federal land/parks on several islands.
Photographed using OM-1 mk2, OM 100-400 II, DxO Silver Efex.
I’ve been trying to organize the photographs taken on Chincoteague Island. Below are new images from the south herd. I have photos from the north herd, I’m just not sure how many, and if the quality is good. The north herd was always further away.
Several times these ponies gave us nice opportunities. However the light was always facing us.
This was the scene I had been hoping to shoot. I wanted to get a few ponies running through the marsh, catch the splashing water. Catching the herd together would have been great, but not to be had.
The ones I did manage to photograph were as the herd moved away into the woods toward a watering hole. Stragglers wanted to catch up and did need to run a bit to catch up.
A fairly large series here, bigger than usual and I hope viewing isn’t too slow. You never know how fast/slow things can be.
These were shot out in an ACE Basin marsh when we came on a mass feeding in low water. There was nothing to do but head down a dike and get the best spot we could before things slowed down. And I found about the best location possible without being intrusive, or wet. A wooden trunk was right above the small cut that connected two open water ponds.
The Alligators had to swim, or walk, in the narrow cut to go back and forth between the deeper water. At times there was little room for all that wanted to get through. There were only a few quick snaps at others, they were better behaved than most people.
Note; if viewing in WP Reader select the option in the upper right corner to view the gallery in a browser. Worth the effort for sure.
This is a photograph I’ve had for about a month now. I set it aside to ‘deal with it’ later. It’s now later.
There’s so much happening here, in every corner, that it’s probably just a jumble of things rather than a photo worth publishing. I was there so my perspective is off.
Amazing how much is going on, and how many are involved. I don’t see this very often. I think that’s why I love these shots when I actually get them.
Included within a few square meters are;
And a lot of them 😄.
I don’t know if he was playing favorites or not, but this female pinto was never really far from the herds stallion this one afternoon. He was OK with that too.
There were also a few ponies that stayed well in the background. I’m guessing they were young males. The boss was not one they wanted to anger.
Chincoteague ponies.
While I did manage much closer photos I still love to have the environment in an image. I think it gives some perspective to the story.
There is a large fresh water source in those woods.
Looking at the ponies you may see their stomachs are larger, more distended, than you might expect.
They graze and live on thick rough plants growing in brackish, salt water. These ponies drink more fresh water than any other horses due to this hard diet. Other breeds of horses introduced on the islands in the past did not survive in these conditions.
Classic pose.
(fat fingers pushed the publish button too soon, I let go 🤣)
