N6BIR-B Bayberry at Sunset

I met Bayberry, one of several stallions that roam Assateague Island National Seashore, only two weeks before this photo was taken. At the time, he had the largest harem of mares of all the band stallions on the island and he really does seem to love all his girls. I watched as shadows darkened the long strands of his black hair while the light that remained in the last minutes of golden hour radiated from his smooth summer coat; the combination creating a stunning image. What I love most about photographing horses are their eyes. They are deep, thoughtful, and intelligent and not all animals have that unique quality. They never miss what’s going on around them and that keen awareness is something we seem to have lost.