Valfal's photos

One of the beautiful horses I met while passing by a horse farm.

A collage of photos taken from our vacation to Assateague Island just south of Ocean City, Maryland.

I had the pleasure of vacationing at Assateague Island, Maryland, home of the wild Assateague Ponies. Assateague Island National Seashore is cared for and managed by the National Park Service, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and Department of Natural Resources. Visitors to the park in Virginia enjoy the beach plus find opportunities for countless breathtaking experiences and adventures at the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge (established in 1943). The beach, wildlife, dunes, wetlands & marsh islands are protected for public outdoor recreation use and enjoyment. If you would like to learn more about this national treasure, click on this link: www.assateagueisland.com

One of five collages of my family trip to Assateague Island.

One of five collages of my family trip to Assateague Island.

One of five collages of a family trip to Assateague Island just south of Ocean City, Maryland.

This is the Dune Trail, one of three different trails on Assateague Island. I do not know the name of this plant with the thistle-like top. I had never seen it before. Thank you all so much for your comments and faves; it is so very appreciated! Have a wonderful weekend!

This very long pier leads to the bay that lies between this marsh and Assateague Island. AA 137........Wharves, Piers and Jetties.

Another view of the marsh pier that lies across the bay from Assateague Island. Taken at dusk, hence the very blue overtones of the image.

TSC - "At the market" Challenge I vacationed with my family at Ocean City, Maryland this past week. This particular shop is the biggest of it's kind along the boardwalk. My grandson couldn't resist taking a peek inside. I have another photo of the place in the inset photo. It gives you a better perspective of the shop's size.

This ice cream establishment has been popular with the beach crowd for many years. It has several other locations scattered around the Ocean City area. One of the photos in consideration for TSC "At the Market"

I encountered this sight on the beach at Assateague Island, Maryland. This Island is famous for its wild horses which have roamed free since the 1700's. The Island is now under the control of the National Park System, which treat the animals like other wildlife (meaning a hands-off approach). The rules strictly forbid feeding the horses in order to avoid situations like the above.

This beautiful animal is one of the famous wild horses of Assateague Island, Maryland. I had the pleasure of vacationing there recently.

My grandson, Logan, so excited to meet a wave! Taken July 6, 2014 at Assateague Island Another photo of the same theme in the note.

My grandsons with their buddies catching a wave at Assateague Island, July 6, 2014

In my part of the world during the months of June and July, lightening bugs (also called fireflies) dot the night time darkness with flashes of light as they perform their mating ritual. When there are hundreds of them doing it, they look like twinkling stars on the ground. There is something almost magical about the sight of it. During the day they typically can be found just quietly resting in the sunlight on a leaf, like the one pictured.