Category: David

Devon red cattle, beef cows. These are part of the herd of Darts Farm, by the road from Exeter to Exmouth.

The Bridge at Topsham carries a fast-rotating selection of local real ales, served from barrels at the back of the bar. Opening times are limited to those imposed in the wartime restrictions just over a century ago.

The beer garden overlooks the River Clyst, a tidal tributary of the River Exe, where a weir often disappears underwater at high tides. Downstream from the pub to its confluence with the Exe there’s a series of RSPB reserves, with others nearby.

My first glimpse of the river on the morning this picture was taken came when I passed it on the bus. There had then been a heron and a lesser egret, quite close together, fishing at the weir.

By the time I had walked (slowly) back from the bus stop the heron had disappeared. The egret had moved upriver, and could just be seen, close to the bank, by a distant bend.

Views did get better later (to be continued …)

A passionflower plant in a front garden in a quiet lane near the Exe estuary. The fruit were ripening, while the last of the flowers had not quite disappeared.

A second evening watching a gaudy sunset reflected in the calm waters of the River Exe at low tide, seen from the terrace of the Passage House Inn at Topsham.

Summer finally arriving in early September after a cool and damp July and August. Darts Farm, by the road from Exeter to Exmouth, is a very elaborate, rather upmarket farm shop. The sheep and pig were grabbing every inch of shade in their pens, less than happy at the unaccustomed heat.

Looking across a placid River Exe as the sun sinks creating gaudy lighting effects, as seen from the river wall of the Passage House Inn at Topsham.

A lesser egret stalking and catching small fish in the River Exe off the Goatwalk at Topsham, then flying a short distance upstream to try its luck in a different spot.

A few days’ break by the Exe estuary earlier this month. I’m still walking around with the aid of a pair of crutches, which makes photography awkward.

These pictures taken on a mobile. The Exe estuary at Topsham, shortly after sunset.

Lots of exposed mud. The river’s tidal there, and the tide was low. The views are looking down from the wall of the churchyard, high above the river.

A patch of autumn crocus flowering recently in a front garden.

More insects taking advantage of a sunny spell to gather as much nectar as they could.

A moth, possibly a yellow shell moth, on one of the doors at Bantock Park.

Record shot: a distant view of a raven at the top of a conifer in Bantock Park. Just after these pictures were taken, the bird took off, flying almost overhead so the wedge-shaped tail could be seen clearly enough for a firm ID. A second bird also appeared, flying in parallel with it.