The "Assateague Magic" Wood Print Collection
Path To The Horizon
During a trip to Assateague Island National Seashore, I saw a trail on the map I wanted to explore. After my husband and I found the trailhead, we started walking. There was hardly any noise, just the sounds of birds and the wind in the trees. I heard a sound behind us. Since the ponies here are wild, I turned to make sure one wasn't coming up behind us. The scene when I turned around it what you see here. The length of boardwalk and the height of the trees reaching into the blue sky left me in awe. I knew I had to capture this beautiful path that leads to and thru the marsh.
Whispers In the Sand
My husband and I discovered a trail on the map that promised to lead us to the beach. As we walked, the soft sand shifted gently beneath our feet, making each step feel light and unsteady. Along the way, we passed through patches of shade created by trees and bushes just beginning to sprout new leaves, while other stretches were exposed to the full force of the sun’s rays.
At the end of the trail, we arrived at a quiet, empty stretch of beach. The rhythmic crashing of waves against the shore filled the air. A dune fence traced a line along the sand, and tufts of dune grass dotted the landscape in the distance. Scattered near us were hoof prints, evidence of both wild creatures and people who had passed before us. The scene was vivid—the blue sky, the sandy path, the weathered fence, and the mix of prints from humans and animals. I felt compelled to capture this moment, knowing that by tomorrow, it would look different. Nature is always changing, and I strive to preserve it as it is, in this fleeting moment.
Marshland Majesty
Earlier in the day, my husband and I explored the island to scout where I wanted to capture some sunset images when it was time. We were on our way to one of those locations, when we happened upon this beautiful, wild creature. This amazing creature was not bother by the people walking on the boardwalk trail, trying to get its attention.
The air was tinged with the earthy scent of salt and sweetgrass, and a gentle breeze carried the faint tang of brine and sun-warmed wood. Sunlight filtered low through the marsh, painting the water with streaks of amber and ruby, while the boardwalk's weathered supports cast long, deep shadows across the grass. In that tranquil moment, watching the pony silhouetted against the luminous landscape, I felt a profound sense of peace and gratitude—a quiet awe for the untamed beauty before me and for the privilege of bearing witness to such stillness. The world seemed to pause, and I could not help but try to preserve the majesty of this wild creature, bathed in the serene light of evening, in both image and memory.
Boardwalk Serenity
Still savoring our encounter with the pony in Marshland Majesty, my husband and I continued along the trail with a little over an hour before sunset. We came upon this section of the trail, where the sun was at the perfect angle to bathe the boardwalk, the water, and the sky in a soft golden glow. The cool, gentle breeze swept across the marsh, carrying with it the smell of salt and the sea. There is a reason this time of day is called “The Golden Hour” by photographers, as you can see. It felt like the sun was giving the Earth a warm hug before it sank beneath the horizon for the night. It is in moments like these, surrounded by nature's quiet beauty, that I am reminded of how precious and fleeting such experiences are. I treasure these times and remember nature's enduring wonder.
Blue Magic Sunset
One of my favorite scenes to capture are sunsets. After a long day of exploring the island, almost getting trampled by a couple of wild horses and catching the sun sink into the marsh, my husband and I decided to go out for dinner. On the road off the island before we go to the bridge I happened to look over and saw this scene through the window. The water in the marsh was so still, it was perfect to capture the reflection of the beautiful, magical colors the sun painted after its trip below the horizon.