It was such a beautiful sight. To witness the Beach Walk, as the Saltwater Cowboys escorted the Chincoteague Ponies along the surf, the sun barely ready to come out and play. They were rounded up from the Assateague National Refuge, where they are gathered for the annual Pony Swim. The island can only support so many ponies, so every season, many of the foals/fillies are auctioned off. The auction helps control the herd size and raises money for veterinary services for the ponies along with the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company.

We grow wild, running in the sun. Cast your shadow and keep company with the shine of the day. There were hundreds of us, making our way down the beach, finding our piece of it, where we can sit and watch as the ponies parade by. Oh, it is not such a grand event, but, it is a tradition of sorts and I have been going and supporting the cause for ten years now. Incidentally, my Henry was born here on this island, and I bought him at auction, so perhaps that is why it is near and dear to me. Or perhaps, it is just that kind of thing that makes my heart sing. Man and nature working together for a better outcome. I'd like to think that is the one.

Prior to the refuge's establishment in 1943, the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company purchased the ponies and continues ownership to this day. The Firemen are allowed to graze up to 150 ponies on refuge land through a Special Use Permit from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.

A fence along the Virginia/Maryland State line (the northern refuge boundary) separates the island's ponies into two herds. The Maryland herd is owned by the National Park Service. The Virginia herd is owned by the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company and is grazed in two designated compartments on the refuge. source

The crowd were large and enthusiastic! We all love the ponies and so many of the people know them by name. Did you know they all have registered names? They became an official registered breed in 1994. About 60-70 foals are born each spring and are what drives this Beach Walk, which in turn ends up at the auction.

Today is brought to you by #BeautifulSunday by @Ace108 where you show off how you spend your day and also #SublimeSunday by @c0ff33a where any random post will do.

And, of course, we must have a flower, always...to color my world. I dedicate this picture to #SundayPurple for the #ColorChallenge by @Kalemandra. Nobody colors like she does.



This photo is dedicated to #MonochromeMonday by @Old-Man-Photos! Gather those shots for the Monday Challenge!

The SaltWater Cowboys keep the ponies walking along the water, so there is no chance for a wandering pony. On Saturday, the ponies took an early walk along the beach as tourists were sunbathing and swimming. A man was surprised when he got kicked by one of them as he tried to pet his hindquarters. Oh, sir!!! As if!!!

The End of the Line!

And suddenly, they become just a faint memory, only to live in the minds of those who witnessed it. A quick tide rolling in washes away all the evidence.

And just like that, this post is done. I want to thank @ace108 and @c0ff33a for hosting these challenges and even though the day is done, I can guarantee that there is still a little sunshine left in my heart. Have a most fabulous evening!

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Thank you for visiting my post 💖 Because of you, I come back to post again and again, I am encouraged by you, for the time you take to visit, comment or even upvote. For all of these reasons, I am eternally grateful. Don't ever forget what a wonderful world we live in, people. Let's hold hands around the globe and make this earth really spin. Some days, it is not as easy to see, how wonderful it really is. Kindness counts. Wherever you go, whatever you do.

I always post this poem down at the bottom of my posts. It is one that has become so near and dear to my heart. I only post the most famous part of it, but, wanted to post it in its entirety today.

they set my aunts house on fire
i cried the way women on tv do
folding at the middle
like a five pound note.
i called the boy who use to love me
tried to ‘okay’ my voice
i said hello
he said warsan, what’s wrong, what’s happened?

i’ve been praying,
and these are what my prayers look like;
dear god
i come from two countries
one is thirsty
the other is on fire
both need water.

later that night
i held an atlas in my lap
ran my fingers across the whole world
and whispered,
"where does it hurt?"
it answered,

"everywhere"
"everywhere"
"everywhere"

warsan shire

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