Today we where able to rent some jeeps to go to the most northern end of the beach to see the wild horses. What is unique about these horses are that they are descendants from the best breeding stock that the royal family of spain had to offer. These colonial mustangs arrived here on the outer banks after Spanish ships ran aground on the underwater sand dunes. to lighten the ship, the horses were thrown overboard and they same to the Island. They where able to survive on this isolated island for over 500 years by adapting to it's harsh environment. they survived by eating the the course salt grasses, sea oats, acorns and persimmons. They learned to graze high so that the plants could rejuvenate and continue to be a source of food for them. By 1926 there were of 5,000 of these animals roaming the outer banks. However, once humans discovered these island as a vacation home, and started to put in paved roads, the numbers have now dwindled to about 120 to 130 horses. These horses are now contained in a 7,544 acre section that is only accessible by 4 wheel drive. However this land is NOT a horse sanctuary but privately owned with homes being built.
All images are taken with the EOS-M w/ EF-M 22mm f/2 STM @ f/3.5
Starting off on our tour
Strapping In
Ready to Roll.
After the Tour and dinner a Pose with Aunt Josie
So on the Tour I switched Lens to the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS/USM on the EOS-M.
I set the camera to Shutter Priority (TV mode) @ 1/500 sec with ISO to Auto.
Stopping on the island tallest sand dune @ 40 feet above sea level. At one time that sand dune
Stood @ 120 feet until a storm came 100 years ago and took all but the 40 feet.
And now for the horses. For these images I was standing in the back of the jeep, with the jeep
moving as you are not allowed to stop when passing a horse. If you do it is a $1,000 fine.
Thanks for looking
Tom
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