This week we travelled 90 minutes north to the island of Chincoteague, Va.  Our plan was to visit this quaint island and see/photograph the wild ponies that live in the vast marshes surrounding the island.  As we expected, the “islanders” are true to the Eastern Shore and were friendly, gracious, and welcoming.  We spent the first day touring some of the island’s nature trails and of course had our beach chairs to work on our pre-summer tans.

The next morning started predawn getting ready to head off to meet our boat and captain at 6:30.  As a little background, spring is “foal season” with a new wild foal born nearly everyday.  Although the Chincoteague ponies are wild, they are cared for and the responsibility of the Chincoteague Fire Company.  The Chincoteague “Cowboys” are true cowboys and watch over the herds, manage their veterinary care, and protect them often by horse back.  We met “Captain Hunter” from Cowboy Cruise Company at the dock and set out by boat to see the South Herd and Northern herds. We also took a run up the Chesapeake to Assateague Island to view the herd that currently avoids being contained by any means, and any other wildlife that make the Eastern Shore their home.  Within 15 minutes we were quietly floating in the marsh canals photographing the South Herd.  A new foal had been born just hours before our arrival and watching the special care & protection the mother and other adult female ponies took with the new born was amazing.  During our 3 hour trip we were entertained by the 3 herds of wild ponies spread out on multiple marshy islands, bald eagles, and countless shore birds. 

We didn’t know what to expect with this adventure, but our charter exceeded our preconcived ideas. Captain Hunter provided a wonderful up close and personal experience with these wonders of the nature and the wildlife of Chincoteague and Assateague Islands.

I didn’t see this coming. A little background, my love of photography started when our two daughters caught the theatrical bug from my wife Karen. I went out and bought a Canon point & shoot camera, that was not very helpful taking quality photos in a dark theater with a “NO FLASH” policy. It didn’t take long before I went out and bought a DLSR that I could control every shot. OK, taking good photos was not as easy as I thought, but after years of reading, classes, and a lot of trial and error I finally started to see success. From that point, I always had my camera nearby. Yes, I obviously drove everyone crazy at the holidays, birthdays, and summer parties. But growing up around boating, surfing, and the beach my love of nature and wildlife was always in my blood.

Fast forward to 2024 when we retired to the Eastern Shore. I bought a new “long” lens for my sports & wildlife camera and started photographing everything I could find. Long walks on the beach or in the nature preserve was relaxng and my knowledge of the animal habits and the Eastern Shore continued to grow. One day I ordered a framed canvas print of one of my favorate photos I took. We planned to hang the Great Blue Heron (attached photo) in our house. When it arrived Karen said, you know the Bay Creek Art Exhibit is coming up, why don’t you register to show some of your work. Never entering an Art Exhibit before I was a little anxious, but it turned out to be a ton of fun. I entered 3 photos, met a lot of art interested people, and sold my first metal print. WOW! A few weeks later I’m launching my first website and sharing my work for all to see. Retirement is really great! Thanks for letting me share.