Pony Whispering
By Miles ·
Two young ponies share a quiet moment in the summer grass, one gently nuzzling the other as warm afternoon light catches their coats.
Sometimes it's the smallest interactions between animals that make the most memorable photographs.
On this June afternoon, I came across two young ponies standing close together amongst the long summer grasses. One, with a wonderfully tousled cream-and-chestnut coat, had turned towards its companion, gently resting its muzzle against the other's head.
The second pony, with its soft golden coat and darker forelock, stood quietly facing the camera, seemingly content with the attention. For a brief moment, the pair appeared almost as though they were sharing a little secret.
I was particularly drawn to the gentle nature of their interaction. The warm afternoon light brought out the soft colours of their coats, while the muted greens and browns of the surrounding moorland provided a beautifully understated background.
Using a long lens allowed me to concentrate on the ponies without intruding on their space. The softly blurred grasses and distant vegetation help keep attention on the two animals and the quiet moment between them.
Dartmoor's ponies are a familiar sight across the open moor, but their individual characters and interactions never cease to interest me. Away from the sweeping landscapes and dramatic skies, it's often these smaller encounters that stay with me.
I called this photograph Pony Whispering because, for just a moment, it really did look as though one pony had something rather important to tell the other.