Chincoteague Ponies
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 really know what to expect with this adventure, but our charter was well beyond anything we could have planned. Captain Hunter provided a wonderful up close and personal experience with these magnificant ponies.