A Quiet Moment on Dartmoor
By Miles ·
Two hill ponies stand close together among summer bracken, their contrasting coats and pale manes framed by the rich greens of the moor.
Dartmoor's ponies are amongst the most familiar sights on the moor, but sometimes it's their quieter moments that make the most memorable photographs.
On this July afternoon, I came across two ponies standing close together amongst the summer bracken. One, a pale grey pony with a long, silvery mane, stood beside its piebald companion, whose distinctive black-and-white markings and flowing forelock made a striking contrast.
Surrounded by the fresh greens of the moorland vegetation, the pair appeared wonderfully relaxed, seemingly content to remain close to one another. Their thick manes fell across their faces, while the surrounding bracken provided a natural frame for the scene.
Photographed in July 2014, I was particularly drawn to the gentle interaction between the two animals. Rather than the movement and energy often associated with Dartmoor's roaming ponies, this was a moment of stillness, a chance to capture something of their individual character.
The soft, even light brought out the textures of their coats and the subtle differences in their colouring, while the darker vegetation behind helped separate them from their surroundings.
For me, encounters like this are one of the pleasures of exploring Dartmoor. Away from the sweeping views and rugged granite tors, there are countless smaller moments worth appreciating.