Assateague Island – 2014

Ocean City, MD – May 2, 2014: A pony grazes by the bay on Assateague Island.

Just like Ocean City, I’ve already talked about Assateague Island before on this blog. The allure of trying to capture images of the fames wild ponies that live here is just too tempting as a photographer!

Of course, the ponies aren’t the only wild animals that can be spotted here. With my zoom lens, I was able to finally get images of some herons without them looking like little tiny specks!

Ocean City, MD – May 2, 2014: Two herons walk through the marsh in Assateague Island.

There’s a variety of terrain on Assateague Island. The marshy side of the island can hold the potential for beautiful images just as much as the beaches.

Ocean City, MD – May 2, 2014: Trees stand along the edge of the marsh on Assateague Island.

Walking trails can also lead you to interesting locations. This path was behind the visitor’s center, eventually leading to an old historic home from the eighteenth century. 

Sometimes, it’s the journey, not the destination that you’ll capture & remember.

Ocean City, MD – May 2, 2014: Trees line both sides of a walking path on Assateague Island.

Ocean City, MD – 2014

Ocean City, MD – May 2, 2014: A close up of a wave as it crashes onto the beach.

I know I’ve already talked about Ocean City, but I got the chance to return this year & I wanted to share these new images with you!

Ocean City is the most popular beach destination for people for living in my little part of the world. I’ve been able to visit several times, & have taken tons of images there over the years. This year, I took my new 18-200mm lens.

It’s like seeing with new eyes!

Ocean City, MD – May 2, 2014: A sandy path leads to the beach, circa 63rd Street.

Most people flock to Ocean City during the summer, but I highly recommend visiting in the late spring. The weather is warm instead of humid, & there’s plenty of room to spread out…

Ocean City, MD – May 2, 2014: A person is sitting on the beach & listening to the waves.

Ocean City might not be the first place people think of when they think of visiting the beach, but maybe that’s exactly how it should be.

Baltimore – Harbor East

Baltimore, MD – March 15, 2014: A small bridge stretches over the Chesapeake Bay near Pier 6 Pavilion.

When you’re walking around downtown Baltimore, you can go from very safe to very scary in a matter of blocks. This used to be the case for the waterfront that was next to the Inner Harbor.

Baltimore, MD – March 15, 2014: Many ships are docked in Harbor East.

In recent years, this area has been under major renovation. Harbor East is now home to upscale shops & restaurants. It feels safe (which is a huge complement in Baltimore City). 

It’s a wonderful blend of old & new. The city hasn’t forgotten its roots, even as it makes strides towards the future.

Baltimore, MD – March 15, 2014: Old landmarks remain even as Harbor East is renovated.

Boothbay Harbor

Boothbay Harbor, ME – September 10, 2013: Ships of all sizes dock in Boothbay Harbor.

Time seems to stand still when you visit Boothbay Harbor. In today’s world, it seems impossible to think that a small village would still exist.

I’ve been to Maine several times, but I think this might be the winner for the Most Stereotypical Maine (in a good way!) town that I’ve visited.

Boothbay Harbor, ME – September 10, 2013: Homes sit along the water’s edge in Boothbay Harbor.

Also close by is the Hendricks Head Light. It’s closed to the public, but you can see it from the nearby Southport Beach.

Southport, ME – September 10, 2013: Hendricks Head Light is closed to the public, but can be seen from Southport Beach.

There’s also the Penny Lake Preserve, one of several parks in the area. A well-kept trail winds through the wilderness, the type of wild that is distinctly Maine.

Boothbay Harbor, ME – September 10, 2013: A gravel path winds through the wilderness of the Penny Lake Preserve.

Actually, everything here is very distinctly Maine…which is exactly how it should be.

Update – November 6, 2013

ACADIA NATIONAL PARK – SEPTEMBER 5, 2013: A scenic carriage trail winds around Jordan Pond

So much has happened since I’ve last posted! To start, I’ve just updated my site with some brand new pictures from Acadia! There are only a few posted right now (mostly from Jordan Pond, but there is one from Cadillac Mountain as well), but more will be posted in the coming months…

I also have some brand new images from Ogunquit available on Dreamstime!

Also, I got the wonderful opportunity to take some pictures around my home town of Baltimore for Navigation Solutions. If you’re ever in the Baltimore area with a Hertz rental car, be sure to check them out!

I also entered my photography in the Maryland State Fair again this year, & I placed third in the Wildlife category with this photo from Assateague:

ASSATEAGUE ISLAND – MAY 14 2013: A wild pony grazes on the dunes of North Ocean Beach.

My other two entries (which didn’t win anything but I still love) were these images from my portfolio:

The Jefferson Memorial becomes a very popular spot during the late afternoon (Photo taken May 1, 2013).

ASSATEAGUE ISLAND – MAY 14 2013: A view from North Ocean Beach.

Last but not least, you can follow me on my new Twitter account for all my updates!

Assateague Island - Wild Horses

ASSATEAGUE ISLAND – MAY 14 2013: A couple of wild horses graze on North Ocean Beach.

You didn’t really think I’d write some blog posts about Assateague Island without writing one about the famous wild horses, did you?

To be honest, when I was visiting, I wasn’t so sure I’d have these images to show you. The wonderful thing about Assateague is that the wild horses can be anywhere…or hidden from sight. There’s no guarantee that you’ll see these magnificent creatures during your visit, unless you get lucky.

I had decided to check out North Ocean Beach before I left, when there were some ponies hanging around the parking lot!

ASSATEAGUE ISLAND – MAY 14 2013: One of Assateague’s wild ponies has a snack.

A couple stayed behind to graze as the others eventually trotted off, as if they somehow knew that they were who we had traveled to see (a small crowd had formed at that point).

I even got the classic Asstege Pony on the Beach shot!

ASSATEAGUE ISLAND – MAY 14 2013: A wild pony grazes on the dunes of North Ocean Beach.

Assateague Island – Life of the Marsh Trail

ASSATEAGUE ISLAND – MAY 14 2013: One of the many salt marshes on Assateague Island.

While Assateague is known for the wild horses that live there, there is much more to the island. There are a few walking trails, including my favorite, the Life of the Marsh Trail.

ASSATEAGUE ISLAND – MAY 14 2013: A walking trail leads into the wild forests of Assateague Island.

Stepping onto the trail is like stepping into a different world! It’s very different from the beach landscape of the surrounding areas. A boardwalk path leads you through the marsh to a vantage point for a rare look at wildlife you might not see anywhere else, if you’re lucky!

Even if you don’t get that lucky glimpse (I didn’t on my last trip), you’ll still have a wonderful walk through a wonderfully preserved habitat!

ASSATEAGUE ISLAND – MAY 14 2013: A perfect reflection of the trees & sky.