This week, Cheri Lucas Rowlands at WordPress Daily Post asks that we show photos of our interpretation of ‘descent’. We can take it literally, experimenting with point of view or take it deeper.
I’m going to show you the descent of my favourite rivers, six of them that all descend to the sea on the south coast od Devon.
If you’ve known me a while you’ll know how much I love estuaries, those liminal, transitional places that tap into our ancestral memories.
The first is my beloved Exe, flowing into the sea at Exmouth. 
A few miles to the east is the river Otter – and yes, Otters and even Beavers have returned to the Otter!I’d like to be able to photograph them. 
The river Avon is the furthest west, flowing into the sea near Bigbury, in the beautiful South Hams. 
The river Teign flows down from Dartmoor to the estuary between Teignmouth and Shaldon. 
The Dart also descends from Dartmoor to reach the sea at Dartmouth, via another of my favourite places, Totnes. 
Back to east Devon, the Axe joins the sea at Axmouth, with Lyme Regis just around the corner in Dorset. 
I’m going to end as I began, with the Exe. It may not be a mighty river like some around the world, but it’s my river and my soul is wrapped in it. 
You can join in with the challenge and see lots more descents at,
http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_photo_challenge/descent/
Lucid Gypsy 
Glorious pictures.
Golly Gilly whata pic
Beautiful photos, especially the two of the Exe. I believe you can see kingfishers along the Otter river too. You live in a gorgeous location Gilly 🙂
Kingfishers are around most of Devon’s rivers Jude, but seeing them is another matter. I think I’ve seen perhaps half a dozen in my life!
That’s about 6 more than I have!
I can tell that you’re really in love with your own special River Exe. The other five are pretty gorgeous too. 🙂
I love this post, Gilly. It’s clear that it comes from the heart and that you are sharing your heart-place. Such different encounters these rivers have with the sea. You’ve shown your love with an exquisite series of photos. Thank you.
The light illuminates the paths in that first photo. Beautiful.
Excellent photos. 🙂
I like your take on the theme, sharing your beautiful rivers. Our city has three rivers but they don’t look as romantic as yours. Wouldn’t it be great to see the otters play? A heartfelt post, Gilly. Nice!
What a wonderful post Gilly. So much in it as there is with your rivers. They are all very special to visitors too!
You have a way with your camera. These are gorgeous shots, Gilly. I love pictures of water. As we descend into the late days of autumn, we are a pleasure to see. 😀
Beautiful images, Gilly. It would be difficult to pick one. They’re all stellar. 😃
I like to answer with a photo:
Ahh I’d love to visit Santorini, maybe one day!
Spectacular pictures, Gilly — especially the one of the Exe. But they are all truly beautiful — each one in it’s own unique way. I really like the one of the Avon as well. Very nice photography here.
Thanks so much Sandra you’re such a sweetie!
wow, so many rivers. the images are lovely, but your header/final one – simply glorious.
the Fraser River empties into the sea not far from here, and i love being at the estuary too. it’s also close to the airport, and so there is a coming and going of tides, migrating birds, travellers. a restless, peaceful place, if that makes sense.
thanks for sharing.
There really is something very special about estuaries Kris, so glad you have a wonderful one to visit close by too, do you have any photos?
Awonderful interpretation Gilly. That last shot is a beauty!
Oh wow Gilly! Absolutely amazing captures hon! I am in love! What a beautiful place. So serene, so peaceful .. and you’ve captured all that splending beauty! Awesome post and shots hon. The last one is my most favorite for sure. 😀 ♥
I owe you a big thank you for posting Gilly’s link on your page. Because of you, I am here and linked back up with her. So go get a cookie and pat yourself on the back as a token of appreciation, from me to you. 🙂
Glad to hear that Marcy and I think you have WordPress to thank for that. 😆 But I am glad you are linked back up with her. She is such a darling and I also love visiting her blog. 😀
hahahaha! And here I thought you were going to send me some so I could share with the WordPress staff! 😆
Thanks Sophia, my home area is outstandingly beautiful and I’m very lucky, so glad you like the Exe!
Lol girls you are too funny 🙂
Hi Gilly, I missed you. I found this link on Sonel’s blog, so here I be — enjoying your lovely shares again. I hope you’ll come visit me as well. I changed my e-mail address to isolate my blog notifications, and messed up my follow/follower links. But now, I am back on track, so I hope I’ll see you again, soon. In the meantime, relative to your beautiful river shots, some of the landscapes put me in mind of Virginia, particularly, the river Teign. As always, thanks for sharing. Marcy
Spoilt for choice, Gilly, and speaking from the heart works for you! That last one of the Exe is bathed in beauty. I truly love it. 🙂
Some sights!!! I like the first and last. 🙂