The tenth day of the third month of the year of the Camellia

THE LAUGHING PONY

There are still some wild ponies along the outer banks of Virginia, on Assateague Island, and on the northern end of the North Carolina's outer banks, north of Duck. The bulk of them are found in Virginia on the Chincoteague Island National Wildlife Refuge and to a lesser extent in Maryland's Assateague Island National Seashore.

The road from Chincoteague, VA is wall to wall motels, art and gift shops, and food emporiums. This road runs about three miles before entering the gates to the park at the NWR.

Three of us made this particular trip to photograph wildlife, comprising mostly of birds, egrets, ducks, and swans. The occasional pony would literally walk up to the car looking for handouts. And that can be a problem. I recall having my long lens on a bean bag on the window of the car when all of a sudden it is bumped almost out of my hands. And right there is a hungry pony nose followed by a pretty good set of teeth. Begging!

The road from the town of Chincoteague enters the park and forms a "T" at the beach. Each part of the top of the T goes north and south along the barrier island. For the most part the road along the beach is simply a huge parking lot. The road ends on the south side at the drive on section for the four-wheelers. The north end runs out into the dunes where no vehicles are permitted. The park itself consists of beach and wildlife habitat from the south end at the inlet near Wallops Island and north almost at Ocean City, Maryland. So there is a great deal of area for these ponies to wander. And wander they do! They can be seen most places almost at will.

On this trip we were in two vehicles for some reason. In the first car were Heather, an accomplished photo journalist, and Blanche who was our "National" sales person for our lighthouse poster line. I followed behind in my own vehicle. We were in the parking lot along the beach when they stopped to talk to this pony. I thought a waste of time, but got my camera out to provide witness to whatever happened.

It is illegal, probably a federal rap, to feed the wildlife on the island. More than likely a capital crime to feed the ponies, but people always do. This is bad for a number of reasons, not the least of which is losing ones fingers while being bitten. And of course the animals begin to get dependent upon people for their sustenance and don't feed on their natural sources.

Blanche had just finished feeding this critter half of the sandwich she brought along for lunch. Ham and cheese if I recall properly. Obviously, the pony love it!

I got the proof of her breaking the law. In addition to all that, she had just pulled her own hand back into the car when a park ranger came down the road. She got away with it with only seconds to spare.