Nature through the eyes of my camera

  Ramsholt is a small village situated on the northern shore of the River Deben.  It used to be an historic fishing town, now the village economy revolves around the Ramsholt Arms, next to the river dock. The south facing Ramsholt Arms enjoys beautiful sunsets and is very busy during the summer season with holiday makers and sailors, passing through. Ramsholt's All Saints church was once a seamark, and in early Saxon times was thought to be  watch tower against Viking invaders.  The church fell into ruin in the early 19th century and was rescued in the 1850s.  The church yard is wild life haven with a mass of poppies in the spring as well as many other kinds of wild flowers. Even in the early 20th century Ramsholt was still a thriving hamlet.  Today there is just a pub, a church and a farmhouse. Return to Index

Shingle Street in Suffolk, is a shingle beach on a quiet stretch of the coast line at the mouth of the River Alde. It was once home to fishermen and river pilots who navigated boats along the River Ore.        Fishermen's cottages and fishing gear The shingle is continually shifting due to the wind and the tides.  This creates shingle banks so that on any visit the landscape can look total different from your last visit. It is not unusual to see rabbits hoping around and seals basking on the shingle. There is a variety of flora and fauna to be found especially in the summer months.   Return to Index

Parys Mountain Copper Mines Parys Mountain Copper Mine was the largest of the copper mines in North Wales. Mining was carried out from the 18th century onwards although archaeological evidence shows copper was extracted from Parys Mountain during the bronze age. Parys Mountain during the 1780's, were the largest copper mines in the world.  The copper was shipped from the port of Almwch to Swansea, where it was smelted and was used to cover the hulls of Nelson's naval ships. Copper mining at Parys Mountain declined in the early nineteenth century and now local guides offer tours through the open cast pits and mining levels. The multi coloured landscape was mesmerizing with its every changing colours as the sun moved in and out of the clouds and we moved around the site. The windmill (which was used for pumping the water from the mines) and the Cornish engine house are two of the well known landmarks and also the precipitation pits. The precipitation pits basically are where the...

 Day 24: Trees play a vital role in the eco system.  They have over the centuries been decimated and it is only now the world as a whole is realizing the damage that this has caused. I love to see trees in the winter when they are bare and only a skeleton can be seen.  It is at this time of year it is possible to see their true shape and size before they become shrouded in leaves. On my walk today I decided to photograph 24 different trees. Return to Index

 Day 22 Over the weekend I have thought about todays challenge and knowing I wasn't going far from home I decided to see if I could take images of 22 different birds. Living near the river is an advantage as I was able to get some water bird shots, and I also filled up all the feeders over the weekend which encouraged other birds to the area.  I started with the birds close to home and then I went on a two mile circular walk to find more. The bird song was beautiful this morning. I think they were as happy to have a bright, sunny morning as I was. Hen Blackbird, Collared Dove, Great Tit, Male Blackbird Magpie, House Sparrow, Long-tailed Tit. Grey Wagtail, Stock Dove Dunnock, Starling, Bluetit Canada Geese, Swan, Black-headed Gull, Juvenile Gull Rooks, Egyptian Goose, Jackdaw, Pheasant Robins Return to Index

March challenge is to photograph each day throughout the month, increasing the number taken each day by one.  Not an easy challenge when still stuck at home due to lock down regulations. March 1st The two Canada geese have made themselves at home at the front of the house, keeping the swans company. March 2nd A bright afternoon and this seven spot ladybird was sunning itself on a bush in the garden. Lots of daisies have opened up this afternoon now the day has become warmer. March 3rd A very misty start to the morning and also very chilly.  The popular trees line the edge of a newly ploughed field. A frequented walk, along by the river, passed sheep that will soon be lambing. Sheep grazing in the field. March 4th A cluster of 7 spot ladybirds still in hibernation. It was the bright yellow on the bark of this tree that attracted me to it.  On looking closer I realised there were two distinct lichen.  The yellow is Xanthoria or leafy lichen and is very common.  Th...