Don't worry about the Doberman dog

Utah Beach, Lower Normandy

The Doberman is not entangled in the hooves, he is in fact some distance behind the horse.

We are on Utah Beach (part of the commune of Sainte-Marie-du-Mont) on the western coast of the Cotentin Peninsular. Normandy is renowned for its horse breeding, and trotting horses such as these will often be exercised on the beach.

Behind the horses are oysterbeds. The gently sloping sand and a very high tidal reach provide an ideal environment for cultivating oysters and mussels.

In the far distance is the coastline of Calvados. Not far to the left (but not shown here) is the Pointe du Hoc, a treacherous cliff scaled on 6 June 194 by the US Army Rangers. And a little further along that coast is Omaha Beach.