Viewing life the Sand Bay Way

This morning I headed down to Sand Bay in time to be there at 6.40am. I'd hoped to do a spot of bird watching, but these last few weeks down there have been pretty much a bird free zone. Take today, a few Shelduck, Carrion Crow, Starling and a single Curlew were about all of note. So while doing my 3 mile round trip walk, I thought hey why not do an overview of Sand Bay, a few images of the lesser known parts of the Bay.

So put on your slippers, make a cup of hot chocolate and peruse the following 10 photos; an idiosyncratic view of a muddy bay just north of Weston Super Mare. Somewhere I spend an awful lot of time at. I'll let the captions tell the story.

The walk began with the first footstep. After 171 footsteps I stopped to take a photograph of Birnbeck pier and Steep Holm island. Realising my shadow was in the way, why not make this a feature of the image.

Moving back onto the sand dunes, this is a much more photogenic look at the same view. Looks exotic, who needs the Caribbean when one has views like this in deepest Somerset.

The area is a real mix of native and escapee garden plants. These gloriously vibrant Iris's come under the latter category. I do like Iris's. But do Iris's like me?

At the opposite end of the Bay by the Nature Reserve the more usual Flag Iris's were not quite as advanced and remained in sword like form.

Mind you there were some birds around after all, such as these 2 Greenfinches on the sea wall path. I never thought seeing Greenfinches on a concrete path would would bring me such joy. At last a photo of wildlife!

This Bay is home to huge numbers of overwintering Shelduck, where they come here to moult. Though by the time spring has arrived, there are just a handful left. Most are non breeding individuals, but occasionally they will breed here. Anyway these footprints in the mud are proof they are still about. Or Herring Gulls are wearing duck shaped wellies.

Embryonic delta forming in the sand, or is it a symbolic representation of the Crucifixion.

A lug worms view of a lug worms house. Or is it the Bay of Islands in Lilliput.

Come to Sand Bay, driftwood and dangerous mud, everyone's idea of heaven. Bring the children.

When I come here for a walk with my neighbour, we usually end up here to sit and catch our breath while watching the view before going home. The chips shop is close by too, an added bonus.

And we're back to where I started, the view from the shelter and the newly erected sign which in my view ruined the view. But then I like it wild and woolly..... speaking of which Wales is just 10 miles away as the sardine swims. Max Boyce anyone?