Nature through the eyes of my camera

  Monday 21st September Snape Snape was once a thriving port. Barley was malted at the maltings and then shipped to London and across Europe on Thames barges. Barges on the river Alde The maltings has now been converted into a music venue where the Aldeburgh music festival is held.  There are also several bespoke shops around the site and a cafe and restaurant. Snape maltings and complex Snape maltings from the other side of the Alde Snape Warren is a reserve owned by the RSPB.  It is an important habitat for birds and these can be spotted while walking through the heathland and woodland. Heathland Puffball seen in the woods Return to Index

Monday 21st September Captain's Wood Captain's Wood is an ancient woodland owed by Suffolk Wildlife Trust. The woodland has many wild plants and a mix of natural habitats for a wide range of wildlife. The wood is an excellent place to find bluebells in the spring. End of summer at Captain's Wood There is a large area of coppiced hazel as well as oak and sweet chestnut in the wood.  These create an abundance of food for wild life such as squirrels, woodpeckers, jays, nuthatches and other small mammals. Coppiced hazel Although fallow deer were spotted I was too slow to get a photo.  There were several dragonflies about and also some butterflies. Common Darter Common Darter Speckled Wood Buff-tipped caterpillar Return to Index

  Tuesday 15th September Walberswick and Westwood Marshes Another beautiful day to follow a Gill Moon walk, this time along the dunes of Walberswick, through to Westwood Marshes. Dunes at Walberswick We crossed one of the old wooden bridges and headed for the dunes. Walking along the dunes we watched people arriving for a day on the beach. We passed many black beach huts and some holiday lets. Black Beach Huts Holiday Let Reaching the end of the dunes we cross a bridge and follow the river through the reeds to the marsh. Bridge across the river Before turning onto the marshes we pass the old tide mill which once would have been used to drain the land.  It was also used to grind corn for animal feed. Tide Mill Reeds ran along side the river and there were several dragonflies darting about and a family on swans were on the river. Reed Beds Exiting the marsh we follow the path which leads through a wooded area (we pass a World War II pillbox on the way) and out onto the road that leads

Thursday 10th september Walton Walton became popular as a seaside resort during the Victorian era when people were able to travel by train and boat to the destination. There was a decline in its popularity after the second world war. The Naze Naze Beach Huts The Naze Tower, built in 1720, is a historic 86ft navigational tower built to aid shipping.  It  now houses a tea room, art gallery, museum and a roof viewing platform with amazing panoramic views. The Naze Tower Large parts of the Naze have eroded away over the years at a rate of 1 - 2 metres a year.  The pill-boxes from the second world war have fallen from the cliffs and now lay on the beach. Pill-boxes If erosion continues at the same rate it is likely in 50 years time the Naze Tower will be lost to the sea and the Naze might become an island. Cliff Erosion