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Magical Moment 618, "Assateague National Seashore"


Eddie planned a special trip for my birthday this month. He whisked me away to Assateague National Seashore in Maryland for a few days. This is one of the few remaining places where wild horses roam free along the beaches. It's absolutely breathtaking! I was lucky enough to spot not 1, but 2 foals, brand new this spring. :)

This foal, Giggles, was named by the National Park Service. There are over 100 wild horses in this heard, some are named, others only given numbers.

Giggles


They roll in the grass or sand to get the bugs off...no owners to groom them.

This was actually a bit frightening. About 7-10 horses wandered through a campsite and got spooked. They began running in circles through this enclosed, crowded area. A reminder that these are true wild animals and not as tame as they appear. 

This was the most beautiful mother and foal, estimated at only 4 weeks old! She has no name, just a number. So I call the baby S'more. 


S'more nursing...felt so privileged to witness this!


Sweet, sleepy baby. Eddie took these last 2 shots. I was too nervous to risk its mother's wrath by getting that close!


Definitely worth a visit if you're looking for a unique and beautiful spot! Plenty of camping, ocean, beaches, nearby shops and restaurants...just a great place!

Comments

Jayne said…
Oh, Elizabeth, what gorgeous photos! Yet another coincidence: I learned just a couple of weeks ago about the Assateague/Chincoteague wild horses from one my physical therapist who'd been there as a child (he mentioned them because we'll be headed to MD--Annapolis/Chesapeake Bay area--for April vacation. The annual Pony Swim is supposed to be quite a sight, but I'd imagine it would be much more enjoyable to see these wild babies w/out the crowds that swoop into that area each July.

It's quite unusual--the wild horses--and the governing authorities take care to control population and ensure the safety and health of the horses, which is wonderful. It must have been really something to see them all up so close!

Thanks for sharing this! :)
TexWisGirl said…
loved the misty book as a child. makes me nervous to see these beauties so close to 'civilization' but obviously the park service keeps close tabs on them. :)
Like TexWisGirl, I read "Misty of Chincoteague" as a child. I would have enjoyed seeing these horses live and in person, especially back then. Eddie knows how to plan a birthday trip!
smartcat said…
Beautiful....one of the places I have always anted to visit!
Steve Gravano said…
So beautiful, another truly Magical Moment! Giggles, what a name.
Hilary said…
What a beautiful series of images. So nice that the two of you got to see these beauties. The wee one nursing and sleeping.. priceless. A belated Happy Birthday hug to you, dear Elizabeth.
MaggieGem said…
What a great birthday gift! Love the photos, so up-close and natural. That's something I've been wanting to do, maybe we'll get there someday soon. Happy Birthday!
Leonora said…
Oh what beautiful animals! Our horse-loving daughter has always wanted to go to Assateague to see the pony swim.
The little one you named S'more is the cutest thing!
Your husband did a good job choosing this getaway. : )
ds said…
Years ago, in the middle of my daughter's horse-craze (and having read all the Misty books we could find), we stopped at Chincoteague and Assateague to see these beauties for ourselves. Alas, we couldn't get as close as you did. Worse, it was high summer (August?) and the humidity and flies nearly did us in. Sounds like you visited at the perfect time. Well done, Eddie!
Busy Bee Suz said…
I really had no idea there were wild horses in that area. How wonderful is that? And they are protected???? Double joy!
Lovely photos...what a sweet birthday gift for a sweet YOU!

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