Wild Ponies Grazing at SunsetWild ponies grazing as the sun sets

Earlier this summer, I visited Assateague Island and the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge in Virginia. The wildlife refuge is famous for the wild ponies that have lived on the island for hundreds of years. Evidence suggests that they are descendants of the survivors of a Spanish galleon that wrecked off the coast of Assateague.

Wild Pony with Birds 1A wild pony grazes among birds in the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge on Assateague Island in Virginia.

Wild Pony with Birds 2A wild pony grazes among birds in the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge on Assateague Island in Virginia.

Sunset on the Chincoteague National Wildlife RefugeThe sun sets over the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge on Assateague Island in Virginia.

In addition to the wild ponies, a large draw of the island is the Assateague Lighthouse, which still operates and is open to the public.

Assateague Lighthouse at DuskThe Assateague Lighthouse watches over the iChincoteague National Wildlife Refuge on Assateague Island in Virginia.

The beach at Toms Cove attracts a lot of people. I was able to capture an image of the galactic core of the Milky Way extending over the beach. The little buildings you see are lifeguard shacks.

Milky Way Over Toms CoveThe Milky Way over Toms Cove on Assateague Island, Virginia.