By Misty Thornton Editor, Wild Pony Tales Beth Hanback is a bundle of energy and she needs to be. She’s the epicenter of a moving whirlwind with a dozen decisions an hour to make. Beth is the backbone and executive director of the Chincoteague Natural History Association, a group of supporters the Chincoteague National Wildlife

By Robert Boswell Publisher, Wild Pony Tales Updated August 30, 2012  Editor’s Update: Lucky, who will be four months old September 3, has found a new home at The Refuge Inn, in the corral between the Inn and McDonalds. “He does not like to socialize with the other ponies and seems to stay off to

Story and Photos by Zackrey Hoverson Egrets are the most photographed birds on Assateague National Wildlife Refuge where about 1.4 million visitors go each year. There are few locations better suited to photograph Egrets than this Refuge on the Eastern Shore of Virginia with its canals, ponds and various waterways. Most commonly seen are the

She’s Leaving Friends and Her Beloved Chincoteague Ponies By Misty Thornton Being raised on the water in her native California, Jean Bonde had no idea she and her husband, Wayne, would in later life wind up living on the Island of Chincoteague for 16 years. Now, with age and poor health having caught up with

By Zackrey Hoverson Nikhil Bahl, a nature photographer, presented what Assateague as a barrier island can offer  photographers. He encouraged those with cameras to look for simple photographs, and not include too much in their pictures. Nikhil spoke to an audience in the auditorium on Assateague Wildlife Refuge during Waterfowl Week, November 23. Nikhil is

“She’s gorgeous” is the way Jean Bonde describes “Poco’s Starry Night,” the latest foal purchased by the Buy Back Babes. Photo by Buy Back Babes.  By Jean Bonde The writer is the chief spokesperson for the group known as the Buyback Babes, a group of women who pool their money to purchase a pony each

To show appreciation for those who serve in the U.S. Military, on May 19 – Armed Forces Day – the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will begin issuing an annual pass offering free entrance for active duty military members and their dependents to Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and every unit of the Refuge System, as

Prince, the record buy-back, runs in the corral after his vet check. By Wild Pony Tales Originally posted August 2007 It was a steamy morning on Chincoteague Island, the weatherman calling for a 93 degree day. A big crowd had gathered early this late July 2007 morning , excited about the yearly Chincoteague Pony Auction