Manaton
Alpaca – Nr Manaton, Devon, UK. ID IMG_4168
A different post today as I ventured over the border from Somerset into Devon. Staying in the village of Manaton on the edge of Dartmoor. This was not to see this wonderful alpaca. Instead the target was the fields of bluebells that cover the moor. As it turned out we saw so much more.
The weekend started with an early morning stroll around the village.
Cottages – Manaton, Devon, UK. ID IMG_3461
Watching the sun rise over the fields.
Dawn Light – Nr Manaton, Devon, UK. ID IMG_3497
Quickly finding our first bluebells.
Bluebells – Nr Manaton, Devon, UK. ID IMG_3566
As well as the open moorland there are lots of bridleways and footpaths. Following one of these west out of the village the hillside was covered in flowers. Not your typical Somerset field of bluebells as the ground was littered in the remains of last year’s bracken.
Bluebells – Nr Manaton, Devon, UK. ID IMG_3587
The granite dry-stone walls have a different charm to the limestone ones of the Mendips.
Bluebells – Nr Manaton, Devon, UK. ID IMG_3599
Back in the village. My eyes were drawn to a group of wood anemones outside the church. I did not realise this as the time but they are some very fancy anemones indeed.
Wood Anemones – Manaton, Devon, UK. ID IMG_3671
On the village green was a wooden bench covered in lichen. Way too pretty, and delicate, to want to sit down.
Bench Lichen – Manaton, Devon, UK. ID IMG_3869
Exploring the moorland, the first mandatory stop was at Bowerman’s Nose.
Bowerman’s Nose – Nr Manaton, Devon, UK. ID IMG_4232
After a few miles we reached the open fields of Holwell Lawns and Emsworthy Mire. The bluebells were beautiful, but perhaps they needed another week to reach their peak.
Bluebells – Emsworthy Mire, Dartmoor, Devon, UK. ID IMG_3266
Those in flower are probably some of the shortest bluebells on earth.
Bluebells – Emsworthy Mire, Dartmoor, Devon, UK. ID IMG_3253
Another mandatory shot of some Dartmoor ponies.
Dartmoor Ponies – Hound Tor, Devon, UK. ID IMG_4097
Looping back to the village the we found the perfect bluebell spot. Above the village at Manaton Rocks.
Bluebells – Manaton Rocks, Dartmoor, Devon, UK. ID IMG_4428
The combination of old lichen covered trees, granite boulders and bluebells is a wonderful sight.
Bluebells – Manaton Rocks, Dartmoor, Devon, UK. ID IMG_0025
The area is criss-crossed with footpaths.
Bluebells – Manaton Rocks, Dartmoor, Devon, UK. ID IMG_4463
I have lived in Somerset for decades but grew up in Devon not far from Manaton. I fondly remember the many family walks we had along the River Teign. So the next day we set off to Fingle Bridge hoping to photograph the birds along the river bank and woods.
Nuthatch – Nr Fingle Bridge, Dartmoor, Devon, UK. ID IMG_5026
The nuthatch was a real bonus. Following them around and around the tree, they always seem to be on the other side. This grey wagtail was much easier to photograph as it kept returning to its favourite stone as we watched from outside the pub.
Grey Wagtail – River Teign, Fingle Bridge, Devon, UK. ID MVI_4863
And finally…
Of course, a picture of a dipper is the money shot everyone wants. We were really lucky!
Dipper – River Teign, Drewsteignton, Devon, UK. ID IMG_4666
To find two together.
Dipper – River Teign, Drewsteignton, Devon, UK. ID IMG_4683
I have just noticed its legs appear in the first dipper picture.
