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Click on an image to see a larger size in Flickr |
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The Rocks at Branscombe form the backdrop to a fine stretch of coastline. The main feature, visible for miles in both directions along the coast is the Nothe, a pinnacle of Cretaceous Chalk. The cliffs here are quite unstable having only been in existence since the end of the Ice Age. So there is a large area of undercliff which has resulted from slumping and rock falls. Tech notes: Nikon F5 + 20mm f 2.8 Nikkor, Fuji Astia |
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The top of the Nothe consists of bedded Cretaceous Chalk with abundant layers of chert (flint) nodules along the original bedding planes. The siliceous chert is much harder than the chalk limestone and individual nodules weather out, subsequently falling onto the beach below.
Tech notes: Nikon F5 + 300mm f 4 Nikkor, Fuji Astia |
| The raven gives scale to this view which shows that the Chalk is not always evenly bedded but shows some significant discordance near the top.
Tech notes: Nikon F5 + 300mm f 4 Nikkor, Fuji Astia |
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Another View of the Nothe Tech notes: Nikon F5 + 300mm f 4 Nikkor, Fuji Astia |
| Although calm on the day these photos were taken the coast suffers some very strong gales in the winter and the many nodules of chert are eroded and rounded by continuous pounding of the waves on these storm ridges. The nodules end up being either pebbles or cobbles and are highly resistant. They are also very unconfortable to walk on with bare feet!
Tech notes: Nikon F5 + 20mm f 2.8 Nikkor, Fuji Astia |
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Not all the stones are from the Chalk for pebbles were also eroded further west from the Budleigh Salterton Pebble Bed, a Triassic unit that consists of large pebbles of much older rocks derived from a pre-existing landmass to the west of the area. These pebbles have been transported east by longshore currents and are now mixed with the chert pebbles sourced locally.
Tech notes: Nikon F5 + 300mm f 4 Nikkor, Fuji Astia |
| The undercliffs support a varied flora including wild orchids.
Tech notes: Nikon F5 + 60mm f 2.8 Micro Nikkor, Fuji Astia |
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More wild orchids!
Tech notes: Nikon F5 + 60mm f 2.8 Micro Nikkor, Fuji Astia |
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Many of the plants are in flower in May and June Tech notes: Nikon F5 + 60mm f 2.8 Micro Nikkor, Fuji Astia |
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Including Wild Roses, Tech notes: Nikon F5 + 60mm f 2.8 Micro Nikkor, Fuji Astia |
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Honeysuckle, Tech notes: Nikon F5 + 60mm f 2.8 Micro Nikkor, Fuji Astia |
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Wild Iris, Tech notes: Nikon F5 + 60mm f 2.8 Micro Nikkor, Fuji Astia |
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and other flowers. . . . Tech notes: Nikon F5 + 60mm f 2.8 Micro Nikkor, Fuji Astia |
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