Dartmoor Zoological Park (DZP)
View allAll Photos Tagged dartmoor
My first real view of Dartmoor, Devon. Grey Wethers Stone Circles are just visible down from the horizon on the left hand side. Zeiss ExoLens (Wide-Angle), Manfrotto Tripod, Hisy remote, ever so gently tickled in Snapseed on iPad Air.
I took this shoot in Dartmoor National Park of roaming wild ponies, which have been found in the moors for thousands of years. The moors located in Devon County are spectacular. The terrain and magnificent views always thrill me. (Best viewed Large). Edited in Photoshop and Topaz.
Dartmoor is an upland area in southern Devon, England. The moorland and surrounding land has been protected by National Park status since 1951. Dartmoor National Park covers 954 km². The granite which forms the uplands dates from the Carboniferous Period of geological history. The landscape consists of moorland capped with many exposed granite hilltops known as tors, providing habitats for Dartmoor wildlife. The highest point is High Willhays, 621 m above sea level. The entire area is rich in antiquities and archaeology.
Texture by William Walton.
Information by Wikipedia.
The Dartmoor Pony was used in medieval times for carrying heavy loads of tin from the mines across the moor When the mines closed, some ponies were kept for farming, but most were turned out onto the moor. Ponies were bred at Dartmoor Prison from the early 1900s until the 1960s, and used by guards for escorting prisoners.
Information by Wikipedia.
Special effect's & Texture by William Walton.
Hound tor,Dartmoor national park Devon UK Beautiful but it has this sinister feel when you are there alone.
There is no more iconic sight on Dartmoor than a herd of ponies grazing together, with stunning, majestic Dartmoor as their backdrop. They have been here a long time, hoof prints found on Dartmoor during an archaeological dig were found to be 3,500 yrs old! I captured this image in South Devon, England while this little guy was grazing along the moor.
Ponies have lived on Dartmoor since prehistoric times (see pony heritage). Although herds of ponies roam freely on the moor, they all belong to different pony keepers. Most have not been handled so you should not approach them too closely.
The owners round up their ponies every year in the autumn at the annual pony 'drifts'. They then decide which ponies to keep on the moor and which to sell. The foals are usually weaned from their mothers at this time.
The ponies are very hardy and actually thrive on Dartmoor despite the harsh weather and poor vegetation. In fact, by grazing the moorland they play a vital role in maintaining a variety of habitats and supporting wildlife.
Not so many live on the moors these days has the farmers are using cattle has their main source of income, not many people want them.
Information by The Pony Heritage.
The Dartmoor ponies are native to a bog in the south-west of England, near the town of Plymouth. Before the establishment of the studbook in 1899, numerous horses of foreign breeds were crossed. The wild mares were crossed with Shetland ponies, Welsh ponies, fur ponies, hackneys, Arabs and some other breeds. It was used as a carrier on the farms and for transporting ore from the mines, it drew the lores in the mines and served the farmers as a mount. The English royal children also learn to ride on these ponies.