At My Feet
Thinking back to our beach walks in February- I spotted this little still life at my feet one day.
Strike a Pose
Beaches are open, but not for us cautious types. This is from last March’s visit to Newport.
Sea Change
“Sea change is an English idiomatic expression which denotes a substantial change in perspective, especially one which affects a group or society at large, on a particular issue.”– Wikipedia
When we were in Newport Beach at the end of February, we were already aware of the likelihood of the pandemic- and I look back at my photos and can’t help but see that awareness in the photos I took. Revisiting those photos, the phrase, SEA CHANGE, entered my mind. The world transformed so much in the weeks following our visit- as if undergoing a “sea change.” I used this photo sequence of a wave cresting and crashing for our final assignment (a triptych) in my photo group.
Keep Your Distance!
Daydreaming about the beach . . .
This was from our last trip to California- February 27- before the lockdown but just as we were becoming aware trouble was headed our way.
Edited with one of my beach textures, created in my at home time.
Social Distance
Today’s photo was taken on February 27 on Newport Beach, and how things have changed since then! Even then, we were very aware of the looming health crisis and had brought hand sanitizer and lysol wipes with us to California, but how quickly things have escalated! We barely leave the house ( have gone on two walks), and we have never felt so far away from our children and grandchildren. We are keeping busy with projects that have been long-postponed- mostly going through boxes of photos and videos- trying to put some order to a an almost 50 year collection of our photos and movies and another 50 year collection of my parents’- and then the photos from earlier generations and extended family. We are avoiding the stores, but at some point will have to risk it, I guess.
When I first edited this image a couple weeks ago, I saw it as a peaceful beach scene- but now I see it in the context of social distancing. The mother and child are each looking out of the scene- at other people? at the empty beach? I added a slight frame to emphasize their containment within their own little 6-10 foot space.
My hope is that we all emerge from our separate spaces into a kinder, gentler world- and are truly grateful for our families, our health, our friends, and our planet!
Be safe and well, my friends! And stay home!
Patience
Another thing about the beach- there are surfers! There is a lot of patience involved in surfing , I’ve discovered on my beach walks; there is more waiting than actual surfing. But then the right wave comes, it’s magic!
Greeting the Day
Good Morning, Sunshine!
What a joy it was to be back walking on the beach with my new knee! It still doesn’t feel “normal”- but I can walk without pain and without poles. And watching the waves and the birds is the best therapy!
At Newport Beach
Beach Bareness
I never get tired of photographing an uncluttered beach. This was taken at Crystal Cove, which was soon to be packed with people.
Watching the Watchers
As we headed out to dinner one night, I caught a glimpse of this trio watching the surfer below.
Contemplating the Vast
I think it’s the vastness of the Pacific that first absorbs us when we catch our first glimpse of it. And then it’s being mesmerized by the waves- but I think everyone is pulled back to the horizon eventually, contemplating the sheer size of this body of water.
We made a quick trip to Southern California to see our son and family for Father’s Day. The family was at work and daycare when we arrived, so we spent a couple hours at Crystal Cove, north of Laguna. No, that is not my husband in the photo- and I don’t think those children were with that gentleman.
Beach Grass
We took a very quick drive over to Bodega Bay while in California and stopped at Doran Beach, where the beach grass caught my eye.
Beach Boy
No, we aren’t at the beach, but we’ve been very busy with family here- and I haven’t even taken any photos! Over the next few days, I plan to post some previously unseen (!) photos from November.
Spirit of the Sea
Maybe I’ve spent too much time watching the waves- am I the only one seeing a face out there?
Disappearing
We walked down to the water’s edge in the morning, and I was captivated by the little footprints disappearing into the surf.
In a Row
The sun was setting, and most of the few people watching the waves, the surfers, and the sunset were leaving the beach. Now it was the life guard stations all in a row that caught my eye.
Haze
I suspect that smoke from the fires added to the haze at sunset last week at Huntington Beach. If you look closely you can see surfers in the waters.
Surfer in Wait
Here is another image from Huntington Beach a while back. This surfer spent a long time watching the waves and the other surfers- and never made it out there during the time I was watching. Was he judging the waves and waiting for better ones? Was he intimidated by the other surfers and hanging back? What was he thinking?
This is part of an unfinished and so far untitled series I’m putting together with the theme of being separate from the crowd.
Alone, but not
Whenever we visit a beach, I always enjoy watching and photographing shorebirds, which are so comfortable amidst the crowds of people. I managed to get this shot as the crowds momentarily seemed to dissipate by the Huntington Beach Pier.
