There and Back

In 2019 we found and photographed a wasp spider at RSPB Minsmere. What a fascinating looking spider! So, this year, we thought we would try and find another one and obtain some more photographs. Having recently been alerted to a sighting in Landseer Park in Ipswich, this seemed an obvious starting point, especially as there was a good chance of some butterflies in Piper`s Vale, almost opposite. The day started a bit dull as we started our walk around Piper`s Way but we were not to be disappointed as we found a patch of blackberry brambles which seemed to be the `patch` of some Holly Blue butterflies. Two images of this gorgeous Holly Blue The holly blue is a small blue butterfly that emerges in early spring, from March to May, and then again at the end of the summer between July and September. This is the blue butterfly most likely to be found in gardens, as well as woodlands, parks and churchyards. It tends to fly high around bushes and trees, whereas other grassl...

Dunwich heathland is famous for its heather at this time of year, as well as its iconic coastguard cottages. This is an area we never tire of exploring as it changes from season to season. If you have never visited - it's a must! During this time of uncertainty, the National Trust, who run the site, have introduced a booking system for parking in an effort to control numbers of people. Our slot to arrive was 12:30 to 13:00 pm. So we had some lunch, once parked, and then walked around the site to admire the glorious colours.  The light was very bright, not the best for photography as the colours look washed out, but the following ones are the best I managed, with a few clouds thrown in. An image looking toward the coastguard cottages, but taken in 2017.  From stories of smugglers and shipping routes to a pivotal role in the success of the D-Day landings, the little-known history of one of Suffolk’s coastal beauty spots is set to be revealed. After ex...

Walberswick is a Suffolk Coastal town which I had not visited many times, so a morning with my camera wandering the banks of the River Blyth was appealing. Gill Moon pointed us in likely directions, and was on hand for advice and useful tips. A pleasant morning indeed! Walberswick is on the opposite side of the river Blyth to Southwold and you can be ferried between the two. There are grass covered sand dunes to negotiate before reaching the beach or you can stroll along the riverside past the many boats and shacks that make up many riverside towns.  To quote the guide to the town: "This delightful coastal village is a popular holiday destination for those who wish to experience Walberswick's unspoilt dunes, its beach and its charm. A wide variety of flora and fauna makes Walberswick popular with ramblers and visitors alike. A major attraction for children in summer is crabbing by the harbour, where bridges and river banks become crammed with buckets, lines – and foul...

Victory over Japan Day is the day on which Imperial Japan surrendered in World War II, in effect bringing the war to an end. The following is from Wikipedia and give s a brief summary of the circumstances surrounding this momentous event: The surrender of Imperial Japan was announced by Japanese Emperor Hirohito on August 15 and formally signed on September 2, 1945, bringing the hostilities of World War II to a close.  By the end of July 1945, the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) was incapable of conducting major operations and an Allied invasion of Japan was imminent. Together with the British Empire and China, the United States called for the unconditional surrender of the Japanese armed forces in the Potsdam Declaration on July 26, 1945—the alternative being "prompt and utter destruction". While publicly stating their intent to fight on to the bitter end, Japan's leaders (the Supreme Council for the Direction of the War, also known as the "Big Six") were privatel...

This current Covid-19 pandemic has severely curtailed many village and town activities, so I was pleased to hear that Bildeston was having a Scarecrow Festival, with many people in the vicinity adorning their gardens with their creations. Having spotted just a couple in the main street, we decided to tour the whole village armed with our cameras, and this blog records just a few of the amazing creations. I believe there were about 78 in total but I have about 14 of them posted here, including the three judged top.  Drunk as a Lord - this creation was in a neighbouring village, but I thought  it deserved a mention! Obviously a pirate! Blind as a bat Pat - Specsavers. Very clever. Tractor Girl - obviously a keen Ipswich Town football fan Ivor Bean and family I really thought this was real when I spotted it from the rear! Not really a scarecrow but clever nevertheless. MInions This traffic policemen was statione...

As its name suggests, Shingle Street consists of a large swathe of shingle - no sand here! Where the tide has ebbed and flowed over the years, there are mounds of shingle and inlets and pools that fill and empty with the tide. It is a photographer's paradise. It is here that local Professional Photographer, Gill Moon , held a morning coaching session, and to which we attended. I came away with several images (hopefully better than they would have been!) and I will share some in this blog. The morning started cloudless, but soon clouds started to bubble up, which was much to my delight as I love big skies and bubbling clouds. So first, some images at the area near the cottages with piles of shingle and some inlets. I was using, as an experiment, a 10-20mm Sigma lens, and this gave me huge skies. Curves and mounds  More Curves and clouds .... ... which are starting to build Low down view of the Coastguard cottages Clouds gathering over the Coastguard Cot...