Assateague Island, Virginia is home to 120 or so wild ponies. We saw 18 or 20 from the “Southern Herd” on our recent visit, both from a boat tour and on the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge wildlife drive.
Assateague Island, Virginia
October 24 & 25, 2025
This Fox Squirrel scampered along the road as we were driving out of Donnelley WMA, and per usual he headed into the undergrowth before I could get much of a picture.
They are cute, and the length of their tails makes them even more interesting.
Good bye!
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
September 10, 2024
I got out of the car with just my 18-200 mm lens and spotted this White-tailed Deer spotting me. I took a few pictures–far away and a dull day.
Then I sauntered back to the car for my long lens (100-400mm) and amazingly the Deer never moved while I got to a closer spot.
Until he did.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
August 2, 2025
This Marsh Rabbit was intent on getting his meal, paying no attention to me as I passed by on the boardwalk.
I expected him to bolt, but he just turned away and kept on chewing.
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston, SC
May 24, 2024
Lately I’ve been seeing squirrels all over Magnolia Plantation. With few leaves on the trees I’ve gotten a few images.
This first one was enjoying a colorful snack on one of the inner pathways.
This fellow was trying to pretend he didn’t see me, with some kind of a nut in his mouth.
This squirrel was in the parking lot and snapped off a bunch of the berries like they were grapes before moving to a more secure location to start snacking.
At the edge of the parking lot, this squirrel was waiting for me to pass by before making his move.
The Cashmere Goat pair were having a nap at the Middleton Place stable yard when I walked by. One wasn’t interest in Ted and I having a look but this one’s curiosity got the best of him. He turned towards me showing off his silky goatee.
I only had my Tamron 180mm lens with me so I only got close up shots.
I backed way up to get this shot of the goat watching over the fence as one of the farm workers went by with some hay for the chicken coop–that he was very interested in.
Middleton Place Heritage Stable Yard, Charleston, SC
September 23, 2023
Another photographer told me about this young fawn just off the boardwalk. It would be easy to pass right by without seeing it; in fact I saw some chatty folks do just that.
The fawn never moved while I took a few photographs.
I did two circuits around the Beidler boardwalk and the second time around he was in the same spot, tucked down even further and appeared to be asleep.
As I walked away something startled him and he took off like a shot. I expect the Doe wasn’t far off. Deer are known to leave their young on their own as their spotty camouflage and lack of scent protects them from predators.
Francis Beidler Forest, SC
April 14, 2023
I was going to say “in the weeds” but it is all salad to a Marsh Rabbit.
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston, SC
March 30, 2023
Three years ago I posted about Middleton Place’s new pair of Cashmere Goats in their Heritage Stable yard and how the goats like to climb on things.
Turns out they like to head-butt things, too. Like the gate to their enclosure and then to make unauthorized excursions. Yesterday morning when staff arrived the goats had broken into the sheep pen.
The goats were moved into an empty pasture area while repairs were conducted and when I passed by the goats seemed a bit lost in this great big space that sometimes has a few horses in it.
I have heard the clunk of their horns when they tussle and can easily see how this pair could use their heads to break down about anything.
Staff had started afternoon feedings at the other end of the barn yard and I’m sure they knew their turn was coming.
But wait, we’re not where we get fed!
The goats were led back to their pen a few minutes later, where their dinner awaited them.
Middleton Place, Charleston, SC
March 3, 2023
Middleton Place has a non-featured trio of goats in their Heritage Stable yard. They are in the back, away from the flashier Cashmere Goats that are penned next to the sheep. There may be goat antics that require this separation.
I’ve stopped by to see these three many times and a couple weeks ago for the first time the goats were in a sun patch, although didn’t line up for any kind of group photo. They’ve got some impressive horns and did show off their goatees.
Middleton Place, Charleston, SC
November 29, 2022
