We resume our walk along the straight Queen’s Channel. Our first stop is a tower painted in black and white bands that stands at the end of a drying mud spit and guards the dangerous entrance to the King’s Channel. At low tide, the depth here can be just 0.5 m because of the deposits of silt, however the tidal currents can be very strong. The western end of the King’s Channel is as dangerous, but it is very well marked.
Across the water from the beacon tower there is Faithlegg House hotel and golf course. Another lovely place to visit some day.
A look back to where we walked from – the river from one side and the golf course from the other.
And this is where we are heading now – around the mudflat, towards the wood.
Some butterflies land on the path and fly away as we come closer – Peacock, Painted Lady and Comma.
Looking back you see the Belview Port on Kilkenny side of the river…
… and our familiar light tower with Sliabh Coillte hill in background.
I have read that the island is densely populated with badgers. It may be so but I have never seen any evidence – not even a tuft of badger hair somewhere in the brambles. The article was almost two decades old – perhaps most of the badgers have since been relocated or died from infections. According to the article, the island is divided into six territories. There are at least three badger latrines along this stretch of path – I had a map with me, yet didn’t see or smell anything.
Man-made ponds provide a safe home for swans, ducks and shy Little grebes.
This gorgeous heron couldn’t make up his mind about me. How dangerous could I be when standing on the other side of the pond? He got out of the water, took off, circled over me, assessed and returned back to the same place. Safe enough!
A short walk through the silent wood isn’t exactly peaceful – this place gives me the willies…
I don’t recall having any more pictures taken in the wood, and I always breathe a sigh of relief when I see the light again.
A picturesque barge makes a great prop. Her best days are behind her though.
The rest of the walk is lovely and peaceful. Some old, strangely shaped trees and winding ropes of ivy along the path look peculiar yet harmless.
Birds and insects provide a soundtrack.
Silver-washed fritillary – another beauty to add to our list of butterflies found in the Little Island.
We walk to the ferry point and back to the castle.
One more look around.
We drive downhill past the golf club and cottages. It was a great visit, something to remember.
I hope you enjoyed being transported back to a warmer season.
Hope to see you again in a couple of weeks.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Making memories 
Such a peaceful place.
Great tour. The serenity and beauty of nature fills our hearts with peace.
Wow. What a beautiful walk, I felt like i was with you. your photos are wonderful too. x
it’s a wonderful journey, i love it . Thank you for sharing!
I would love to go there
Thank you for the wonderful journey!
It feels like time traveling.
Thanks for sharing! ^_^
A silent wood is beautiful to me, what scares me is woods with distant barkings :O so colorful butterflies, Inese. Sending warm regards from Peru n.n
Looks like a peaceful place for a walk. As long as you don’t have to dodge flying golf balls…
Thank you for a wonderful stroll. 🙂
Have a lovely week.
A wonderful bit of time-traveling. 🙂
I hope the little badgers are still around, perhaps just sky. Beautiful photos, Inese, particularly of the yellow flowers and butterfly and the creepy woods. Lol. I’m a fan of creepy forests. Thanks for taking me on your lovely walk.<3
Hello Inese,
What mesmerizing views of Queen’s Channel and the surrounding area. I feel as if I am stepping into another world, while still somehow remaining in this world. I am so happy to view your work again, I hope you and your family are doing well ❤
All best wishes always,
Takami
It was a lovely walk but the dark woods were a bit scary. Enchanting place.
Beautiful images Inese – it looks like a great place to explore! Love the heron checking you out – we have a lot of them in my neighborhood and they are always so regal. The butterflies were great of course – one of my favorite subjects to photograph!
Oh, I definitely enjoy being transported back to the warmer season. I just love the swans, ducks in the pond. It is lovely and just so peaceful.
Beautiful post and wonderful photos!!!
Thank you so much, Luisa!
🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
Some inviting pathways and delightful images of flying creatures
Thank you, Derrick! I was surprised to see so many species on a small patch of weeds. Just used the opportunity 🙂 Even a Comma was there, and it is not a frequent guest. I still don’t have a decent picture of a Comma butterfly. It was also an opportunity to see them sip the nectar. It is a fascinating sight.
Beautiful..Thank you for sharing!
Thank you so much!
A beautiful tour as always. The pics of the butterflies were colorful and different colors than what we see in Canada. I want a pic of that elusive badger. The heron pics were awesome. The stranded barge makes me think of how it was abandoned and how it got there. I imagine the history of the barge and the stories it could tell if we’re able to talk. All I have is my imagination. You always put a smile on my face. ❤
Thank you for your kind words, Joseph! I am not sure, but this could be the barge that connected the island to the mainland before the ferries were introduced. It is a shame she had no other use and was left to rust.
I seldom take pictures of butterflies, but here I was surprised by the number of different species feeding side by side on the same kind of plants. I even counted them to calculate the ratio of each species present. Some of them traveled from the south of Europe, across the seas, and were going to travel back. Who knows, that might be their last meal before the trip.
I wish I could camp there for a night and see the badgers 🙂 Have to ask a friend to smuggle me to the island some evening as they wouldn’t let pedestrians to cross 🙂
Have a wonderful week ahead! The spring is near. ❤
It was a nice tour