Assateague and Chincoteague Islands
Apr 23, 2021 06:21:30 #
h0grider wrote:
Don't forget the lighthouse at Chincoteague...
Good advice.
Apr 23, 2021 06:38:06 #
I've been to Chincoteague many times. I marked an area on the trail map where many wild horses can be seen. You can see them from the Beach road. Also, take the trail to the observation platform. Be sure to take the wildlife loop around Snow Goose Pool. I have not seen wild horses there but you can see Seka deer and a lot of waterfowl at the pool.
Apr 23, 2021 06:50:23 #
mrova wrote:
Costs to get onto Assateague though, not Chincoteague.
And to OP, a walk through the Chincoteague will reveal lots of photo ops too. Neat small town. There's a nice and very interesting Chincoteague Museum too, on your left and just before the bridge to cross over to Assateague.
And to OP, a walk through the Chincoteague will reveal lots of photo ops too. Neat small town. There's a nice and very interesting Chincoteague Museum too, on your left and just before the bridge to cross over to Assateague.
Both are National Parks with a fee. A 7 day pass is $25 and will grant access to both and can be purchased at either park. There is a $10 single day pass available only at Chincoteague. There are other options, annual and lifetime passes, as well as specific days when entrance to the entire NPS system is free.
https://www.nps.gov/asis/planyourvisit/fees.htm
Apr 23, 2021 07:17:30 #
I found this to be a great resource while visiting the area earlier this year
https://birdersguidemddc.org/
https://birdersguidemddc.org/
Apr 23, 2021 11:22:25 #
ronichas wrote:
I am planning a trip to Assateague and Chincoteague next week. Would love suggestions for photo ops.
Thanks in advance.
Thanks in advance.
There are many opportunities both places for some beautiful birds along the roads in the water. There are many kinds of herons, egrets, etc. Also, in Chincoteague, the sunsets with sailing ships in them are awesome. We stayed right on the water so it was easy. Of course the horses are great, too. Have fun!
Apr 23, 2021 13:12:49 #
And if you're a reader, check out Sundial Books on Main Street. (Yes, I know that's not a photo op, but it's still a local feature worth checking out.)
Apr 23, 2021 13:32:01 #
I prefer the Assateague National Seashore Park - long beach where the horses may hang out and a lovely drive where bay views are available. If they are collecting admission, a National Park Pass is a plus! Enjoy!
Apr 23, 2021 13:32:25 #
I prefer the Assateague National Seashore Park - long beach where the horses may hang out and a lovely drive where bay views are available. If they are collecting admission, a National Park Pass is a plus! Enjoy!
Apr 23, 2021 15:04:54 #
WJB
Loc: Salisbury, MD
Roni: I was down at Chincoteague National Seashore a couple of weeks ago and a ranger was at the gate (I have a Senior National Park Pass, so no charge). There were ponies all around the parking lot and the ocean was calm.
I didn't take any photos just a walk on the beach with my dog. Lovely, but windy and chilly. No bugs.
There are a couple of trails that often have good opportunities for pony photos, along with birds. A lot of birds around ditches that abut roads-usually the "best" birds have a bunch of photographers trying to get a shot.
I'd go early, if you can manage it. And check out National Park Trail Map for the Seashore to see trail options (I like the forest trail). There is a bicycle only paved loop "path" that's nice, if you're so inclined.
Good luck! Bill
I didn't take any photos just a walk on the beach with my dog. Lovely, but windy and chilly. No bugs.
There are a couple of trails that often have good opportunities for pony photos, along with birds. A lot of birds around ditches that abut roads-usually the "best" birds have a bunch of photographers trying to get a shot.
I'd go early, if you can manage it. And check out National Park Trail Map for the Seashore to see trail options (I like the forest trail). There is a bicycle only paved loop "path" that's nice, if you're so inclined.
Good luck! Bill
Apr 23, 2021 15:08:13 #
Gene51 wrote:
Assateague is smaller. There are some nice photo o... (show quote)
Ahhh, Gene. leave it to you. Softshell Crab, the unsung under-rated American Seafood delicacy. A long time favorite from my youthful summers on the Croton River.
C
Apr 23, 2021 15:45:46 #
Photocraig wrote:
Ahhh, Gene. leave it to you. Softshell Crab, the unsung under-rated American Seafood delicacy. A long time favorite from my youthful summers on the Croton River.
C
C
Croton River that feeds into the Hudson? Cool. It's near one of my favorite and most productive eagle picture places - Verplanck. The eagles roost along the river right up to the dam. And they roost on Croton Point. But they were always active down by Georges Island and Steamboat Dock.
Yeah, there are few things that I am more eager about than Softshell crabs. In Millsboro, there is a roadside fishmonger that always has them in the late spring and summer, but Bailey's in Dagsboro has them fresh fried daily, usually less than 2-4 hours out of the water. Yummmmmmmm!!! Kinda like fried belly clams in New England, but better IMHO.
Apr 23, 2021 16:57:41 #
Look out for migrating tiny horses, and their larger cousins, the horse fly. 
Generally 100% DEET is not necessary - and potentially dangerous to have around your gear (it is a solvent, after all). I prefer the products like Deep Woods Off in the wipes. That way you avoid the drift of spray and greasy products - the wipes are non-greasy. I keep these wipes in my photo bag to have if/when I need them.
Generally 100% DEET is not necessary - and potentially dangerous to have around your gear (it is a solvent, after all). I prefer the products like Deep Woods Off in the wipes. That way you avoid the drift of spray and greasy products - the wipes are non-greasy. I keep these wipes in my photo bag to have if/when I need them.Apr 23, 2021 19:04:48 #
From what I saw on-line you need to go back to the mainland to go from one to the other.
I live in Northern VA near Washington, DC and went to Chincoteague a number of times, both before children and when our children were very young. They are now both over 40.
One time, before children, we were there in the fall, after "the season". We were at the motel, car would not start, possibly due to heavy rain for hours. I asked the person at the desk if there was any way to get to a restaurant......He drove us. After dinner, we had to get back to the motel. I saw 2 phone booths. Saw ad posted there for for cab. Called number. Phone rang in the adjacent phone booth!
I remembered seeing a police car a block away. We explained problem to policeman. He drove us back to the motel. Not sure if that would happen today.
michaelfromva
I live in Northern VA near Washington, DC and went to Chincoteague a number of times, both before children and when our children were very young. They are now both over 40.
One time, before children, we were there in the fall, after "the season". We were at the motel, car would not start, possibly due to heavy rain for hours. I asked the person at the desk if there was any way to get to a restaurant......He drove us. After dinner, we had to get back to the motel. I saw 2 phone booths. Saw ad posted there for for cab. Called number. Phone rang in the adjacent phone booth!
I remembered seeing a police car a block away. We explained problem to policeman. He drove us back to the motel. Not sure if that would happen today.
michaelfromva
Apr 23, 2021 20:21:36 #
Apr 24, 2021 04:18:01 #
sb wrote:
Look out for migrating tiny horses, and their larger cousins, the horse fly. Generally 100% DEET is not necessary - and potentially dangerous to have around your gear (it is a solvent, after all). I prefer the products like Deep Woods Off in the wipes. That way you avoid the drift of spray and greasy products - the wipes are non-greasy. I keep these wipes in my photo bag to have if/when I need them.
Generally 100% DEET is not necessary - and potentially dangerous to have around your gear (it is a solvent, after all). I prefer the products like Deep Woods Off in the wipes. That way you avoid the drift of spray and greasy products - the wipes are non-greasy. I keep these wipes in my photo bag to have if/when I need them.Deep Woods Off is only 25% Deet, so it will only work for a short while and dissolve in perspiration. If you take the proper precautions - apply deet using disposable gloves, bring disposable wipes to clean your palms and fingers, use a combination of Deet (for exposed skin) and Permethrin (for clothing, not skin) your gear will be safe and you will avoid getting stung by horseflies, mosquitoes, ticks, chiggers, Greenheads (a particularly nasty type of hosefly), biting gnats (no-see-ums), wasps, bees, etc - just about any bug that can bit and irritate.
I'm a long time backpacker/hiker/nature photographer - and this combination has always worked for me. And yes, I am aware of the effects of Deet on camera rubber/silicone grips - and sport watches with similar materials used for watch bands. If you are careful, both camera gear, timepieces and you will emerge from the exposure in fine shape. Assateague and Chincoteague are nothing compared to some of the swampy areas in MD and DE, especially when bushwacking around Port Penn or walking the Boardwalk Trail and others in June and July at Bombay Hook. I've been using a surgical mask for years just to keep the bugs out of my mouth and nose.
The other thing that works is to smoke a smelly old stogie. But I don't smoke and that solution has a potential long term downside.
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