A little over a week ago I spent several days running around Assateague Island National Seashore with a wildlife lens. Why? Because WILD PONIES!!! Even as I was shooting, I kept mumbling “I’m going to blow the internet up with horse photos”….
It’s hard to put into words how magical it feels to observe wild pony herds, deer, birds, etc up close. It filled my heart with gratitude that we have designated places like this National Seashore to enjoy the peace that comes with being in nature. At the same time, I was sad that some of these spaces are at risk.
Humans are very good at consuming resources. Finite energy sources, deforestation, water pollution, endangered species, etc….they’re all the result of a lack of foresight in favor of “the now”. But the now doesn’t account for how our fragile the web of life is, and how interdependent we are with the rest of the environment and food chain. Every disturbance has a ripple effect, and without consideration, those effects can be devastating.
I don’t know where the perfect compromise lies, but I know for certain that we need to protect our future. We need to protect ourselves from ourselves, because we only have one planet. There is no plan B.
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True words and beautiful images, Shannon.
Thanks so much, Jane!
I love Assateague. Beautiful work and words.
Thanks so much! It’s really a great place to visit (minus the mosquitos! Lol)
Wonderful post. Great photos and a heartfelt message. xo
Thanks so much! It’s been on my mind a lot these past few years, but especially this week, since some of our national monuments are at risk of losing federally protected status with the proposed review by the government. I just can’t imagine a world where I didn’t have access to land/nature/the beauty and peace contained therein and hope our kids kids are able to say the same.