Exmoor National Park, South West England

June 27, 2011 Ellen Barone

If there is an image of mine that captures the raw, wide-open moorland of England’s Exmoor National Park, where Britain’s oldest breed of pony runs wild, it is this one of a young foal among the heather, bracken and gorse fringed landscape.

Exmoor pony, England. ©Ellen Barone

I came across the foal (and her mother, see below) above Porlock during an eight-day, 68-mile walking vacation across the dramatic open spaces, rugged lanes, historic hedgerows, and green fields of Dartmoor and Exmoor in South West England. Shooting from the hip as we hiked, I stopped, tapped the shutter a few times, then moved on.

Exmoor National Park. ©Ellen Barone,

It wasn’t until later, when I downloaded the shoot at home, some 5,000 miles away, that I discovered this lovely image and relived the magic of the moment.

Discover more walk highlights in my article, Walking Southwest England, on National Geographic Traveler’s popular Intelligent Travel blog.

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About Ellen Barone: Consumer travel expert Ellen Barone is the founder and publisher of EllenBarone.com and YourLifeIsATrip.com. Learn more here and connect on Twitter at,Facebook, Google+ and LinkedIn.