It’s hard to summarize my favorite relaxation spot, Chincoteague Island, VA in less than a several hundred photographs. But because I know you don’t want to sit through an entire slideshow, I’ve chosen 12 (I tried to only pick 10) of my favorite photos from my trip last month to Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and Assateague National Seashore. These aren’t necessarily my best shots, yet they have captured my heart for various reasons. I hope to show you more of my photographs in the coming weeks, but we know how I’ve been about blogging as of late… (Note: Click on the picture to view the image in a bigger format!)
Where/What is it?: A view of Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge (CNWR) just after sunrise.
Why I Like It: It’s the golden hour and it’s CNWR. Need I say more? It’s been my laptop’s wallpaper for a weeks.
Where/What is it?: Mature Blue Heron, CNWR
Why I Like It: The heron is just starting to take off or land (I can’t recall) and it looks like it is dancing with the wind.
Where/What is it?: Assateague Pony on the Maryland side of Assateague (though they’re actually horses, but are called ponies due to their small stature.)
Why I Like It: BFF Sarah and I just happened upon a group of five mares wandering along the edge of the beach campgrounds. Before Sarah got out of the car, I had a moment to be with these wild creatures. Plus, I got the iconic pony on the beach shots I was hoping for. They’re not running along the ocean’s edge, but this was still pretty special. I dare say it was a holy moment given to me by God.
Where/What is it?: Assateague Pony on the Maryland side of Assateague National Seashore (though they’re actually horses, but are called ponies due to their small stature.)
Why I Like It: This mare was part of the group of five I mentioned above, but she seemed to take a special interest in going eyeball to eyeball with me. There we were observing one another and I believe a little bit of respect and awe passed between us in the calm warmth of the day. I have some more great shot of this girl!
Where/What is it?: A tree & a Sika deer (an Oriental elk introduced to the island by settlers), CNWR
Why I Like It: Since I broke my foot, I haven’t had much practice with my Canon T3i so I didn’t yet understand all my settings, which is how I missed the Sika deer for the tree. This picture would be perfect if the deer was in focus, but alas, she’s not. Still, the photo is sort of artistic and makes me laugh.
Where/What is it?: Osprey, CNWR
Why I Like It: This is one of my very favorite photo subjects! After years of trying, I was FINALLY able to photograph a bird of prey and only on my second day at CNWR. The funny part is that I was photographing a yet-to-be-identified bird on the logs below and I looked up into the tree and saw the osprey. This is one of those pictures where my DSLR upgrade from the Canon XTi to the 3Ti makes a huge difference in the quality of the photograph.
Where/What is it?: Assateague National Seashore (ANS), Maryland side
Why I Like It: It’s a pretty underwater shot near where Sarah and I like to eat lunch in Assateague. The shoreline was devastated and the area that used to be a grassy picnic area is now a sandy beach area.
Where/What is it?: Beach at sunrise, ANS (Virginia side)
Why I Like It: Sarah and I got up very early to watch the sun rise on the beach and it was a beautiful experience. I hadn’t planned on walking on the beach because I was being cautious about my healing foot, but I made it and this photo is the result. I took a picture of the only other person on the beach. I hope he doesn’t mind.
Where/What is it?: Great Egret, CNWR
Why I Like It: I had a chance to observe this bird for a while and got some pretty shots. This is my favorite out of the whole set.
Where/What is it?: Cormorant, CNWR
Why I Like It: These diving birds crack me up. I love how this little guy just waddled out of the water. I have better shots of cormorants, but this one makes me chuckle.
Where/What is it?: Delmarva Peninsula Squirrel (Endangered), CMWR
Why I Like It: Who doesn’t love squirrels? And these particular squirrels are endangered, but this little fella was busy hiding nuts for the long winter ahead. To me, it seems that these squirrels have extra fluffy tails.
Where/What is it?: Down by the docks in Chincoteague Island, VA (city)
Why I Like It: I enjoy watching the sun set down by the docks and here’s a little spot Sarah and I discovered last year. This year crabbing signs have been added.
AND ONE MORE BONUS SHOT….
Where/What is it?: Down by the docks in Chincoteague Island, VA (city)
Why I Like It: White waiting for the sun to set, I couldn’t help but write a message in the sand. I can just imagine a grizzly fisherman coming across it, can’t you?
She is Beloved 
AwEsome………. Where, what, I like it!!!!
Sent from my iPad
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