I love visiting and photographing at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and Assateague National Seashore in the winter. Over the years, I’ve visited in December, January and February – and always come away with wonderful memories of a weekend at the shore and a bunch of photos I’m very happy with.

Looking back at the photos I’ve taken at Chincoteague and Assateague in the winter, I realize that there’s just something about the light at that time of year that I love. Every trip I see marvelous shades of pink and purple in the sky at sunrise and sunset. There’s always wonderful golden light on the beach and in the marshes.

So I thought I’d share some of my favorite photos of Winter’s Beauty at Chincoteague and Assateague with you today.

Sunrise at Assateague NS © 2015 Patty Hankins

Sunrise at Assateague NS © 2011 Patty Hankins

Sunrise in the Marsh, Chincoteague NWR © 2013 Patty Hankins

Sunrise in the Marsh, Chincoteague NWR © 2015 Patty Hankins

Sunrise at Assateague NS © 2015 Patty Hankins

Marsh Grasses, Chincoteague NWR © 2015 Patty Hankins

Tracks on the Beach, Assateague NS © 2015 Patty Hankins

Great Blue Heron, Chincoteague NWR © 2011 Patty Hankins

Snow Geese at Chincotegue NWR ©2013 Patty Hankins

Chincoteague Pony © 2013 Patty Hankins

Sunset in the Marsh, Chincoteague NWR © 2013 Patty Hankins

Sunset in the Marsh, Chincoteague NWR © 2015 Patty Hankins

Sunset in the Marsh, Chincoteague NWR © 2015 Patty Hankins

Assateague Light at Sunset, Chincoteague NWR © 2015 Patty Hankins

Sunset in the Marsh, Chincoteague NWR © 2015 Patty Hankins

Sunset in the Marsh, Chincoteague NWR © 2015 Patty Hankins

I hope you’ve enjoyed seeing some of my winter photos from Chincoteague and Assateague. I can’t wait for my next trip to Chincoteague in early February for my Winter’s Beauty at Chincoteague and Assateague workshop.  There are still a few spaces left in the workshop if you’d like to join me on February 5-7, 2016.