Walton-on-the-Naze Concrete Rules

Walton, like many seaside towns, has large numbers of concrete structures - some quite elegant like the promenade and steps, some in need of repair including the pier supports! and some just weird like the upper storey of the Amusements building. I liked the economy of design for the Shelters - if you want it bigger, add a bay - bit like a stretch limousine.

 

Walton-on-the-Naze's Unique Features

From Black-Headed Gulls that like to break the rules to rows of stacked beach huts, Walton-on-the-Naze has plenty of character. It has the smartest public toilets of any seaside town.

 

 

Walton-on-Naze Pier

Saturday, the rain stayed away from the coast until I was leaving at 2pm though the light was very dull. I enjoyed a visit to the pier. The original pier was built in 1830, one of the earliest in the country. It was built for landing goods and passengers from steamers. The pier was badly damaged in a storms in 1871 and 1880. In 1895, the Walton-on-the-Naze hotel and pier company (then owners of the pier) opened a replacement pier 500 ft longer (150 m) than the original. Several extensions have increased the pier's length to 2,600 ft (790 m), the third longest in the UK. 

Today, the pier remains a popular attraction, with amusements and funfair rides in a hangar-type building. Beyond this, the pier extends into a promenade popular with anglers.

Holland-On-Sea

 I took a walk on the beach at Holland-on-Sea prior to giving a lecture at Clacton CC (thanks for the warm welcome). This lies between Clacton and Frinton and has a character all of its own with wide expanses of sand and shingle banks. I got distracted by the excellent Beach Cafe but still had time for a few creative shots and the sunset.

Anglesey Abbey; Dahlias and Cyclamen at Their Best

It had been raining overnight so the dahlias were all covered in water droplets making an irresistable photographic subject. This year's cyclamen are better than ever and some interesting bark patterns showed up in the wet conditions.

 

Rosemary Beetles

Rosemary Beetle, Chrysolina americana, is between 5 and 8 millimetres and feeds on various aromatic herbs, mainly on rosemary, lavender and thyme. On the plant they look an uninteresting blackish beetle but under lighting and enlarged, the wonderful colours and texture are apparent.

This species was first discovered living outdoors in the United Kingdom in 1994. By 2002 it had become widespread in the London area and is now common in many areas.

40 stacked images F4 or F8.

Focus Stacking Green-Staining Wood Fungus

I found a small twig on the ground where the wood was stained jade green and found on inspection small green, saucer-shaped fruit bodies. This is Chlorociboria aeruginascens, commonly known as the green elfcup or the green wood cup. I photographed it at home using the Focus Bracketing facility on the Fuji (30 shots at interval 5). Here the final and first and last frames. It is only 2 mm in size so was surprised at the accuracy of the final stack (Zerene stacker).