Seal by the shore, River Dart

Seal by the shore, River Dart

Seal resting in the shallow water at the edge of the River Dart in south Devon, relaxed as it watched the boat I was on go by.

Shelduck and ducklings

Shelduck and ducklings

Shelduck and her ducklings in the water of the River Exe estuary or on the muddy shore at low tide.

Chinese lantern tree flowers

Chinese lantern tree flower

Among the exotic plants in the small garden of Topham Museum overlooking the Exe estuary, a Chinese lantern tree with these distinctive flowers.

Housemartin nest, clinging on

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Housemartin nest clinging, as they are often found, below the guttering of a house. An adult was returning regularly with food for the young inside, but I only managed one picture of its tail poking out of the nest entrance.

Muddy swans with cygnets

Muddy swans with cygnets

Pair of swans with two cygnets standing at the end of the jetty on the River Exe at Topsham. The adult birds’ chests seem to be muddy from the sediment left on the falling tide in the estuary.