First light on the Exe

Swans continue to flourish on the Exe and the Teign in recent years. Now in pairs on the marshes and beginning to nest build and to defend territory.
I set off at first light  today, on a clear morning break from the run of January storms.
Predicted calamitous events fail to materialise. The white Christmas and Blizzards of autumn just fairy tales. Looking at the Express Newspaper rag bag of nonsense is a mistake at any time of the year.
As the sun comes up over the horizon great flocks of bird-life bring a feather-wind orchestra to life. Flocks of plover and lapwing, geese and curlew, mallard and widgeon, shoveller and golden-eye are all to be seen, but from over the other side of the canal are many more unseen varieties that add to the ballad of song.

Click image for full screen view

Turf Locks

Flat bottom barge no longer afloat

Homeless but not Helpless

With clear skies and prospects of a colourfull dawn, I set off early with camera in hand for the Exeter ship canal, down the lane marked "Private".

En-route in the laybys appeared several campers with curtains drawn .  The same may be noticed in Devons' car parks - especially near water. Houseboats moor alongside the canal at Turf and at Exeter Basin; some with a pile of fire wood on deck or a gas bottle to fuel the heater. Someone is curled up in a sleeping bag with nothing more than a wet blanket on the grass.

There will be some shivering hereabouts if the harsh winter forecast is proved correct.

The commuter leaves the comfort of his yacht and heads off to work in the city 

Yurts can be comfortable too

The ferryboat brings custom to the Turf Hotel

Flat calm at 7am the lock gates close the canal from the Exe Estuary

Looking seawards towards Exmouth