“The sea does not reward those who are too anxious, too greedy, or too impatient. To dig for treasures shows not only impatience and greed, but lack of faith. Patience, patience, patience, is what the sea teaches. Patience and faith. One should lie empty, open, choiceless as a beach—waiting for a gift from the sea.”
― Anne Morrow Lindbergh, Gift from the Sea
Laguna Beach at low tide, height of tourist season
“Wanna go the beach?” I ask my sister, even though I already know the answer. I love walking along the windswept beaches of the Pacific Northwest, where she lives; and she loves exploring the tide pools in the calmer waters of Southern California, equally so.
It’s the height of tourist season–no matter, save for the bumper-to-bumper traffic. As my roadster crawls up PCH, we catch up on the latest. We land in Laguna Beach at low tide, and the waves have long since receded. Clumps of seaweed line the shore.
A sea anemone fills her purse
We clamber over rocks, poke our cameras into rock crevasses. Little by little, the ocean reveals to us her treasures.
The ocean’s jewelry box, tide pool at Laguna
When I spot my reflection, mirrored in the ocean’s shallows, I reposition myself and refocus my camera lens…slowly, carefully, so as not to to disturb the creatures that inhabit these small spaces.
A crab forages for food in the tide pool
Waves froth and then fold in on themselves. We linger in the tide pools as the water drifts lazily toward the shore.
Frothy waves at low tide, Laguna Beach
Salty breezes whip our hair into messy curls, and our shoes fill up with sand. The ocean rewards our patience. Quietly, and without fanfare, she whispers her deepest secrets, presents to us the whole of her heart.
Heart of the sea
We are not alone.
Crab in a crevasse
We are witnesses to a miracle, a pageant that plays itself out repeatedly, here and elsewhere. I’m grateful for the opportunity to watch it unfold with Sheryll, and for the delight that washed over me anew, as I create this photo album for my blog.
Seagulls in the seaweed, Laguna Beach
Linkfest! If you want to see other bloggers’ responses to this week’s challenge, click here, or visit my photographic response to my last art challenge entry, TRICKSTERS.
In my mind, I have felt the ocean breeze mess with my hair, putting it in a style than only spells fun and abandonment. Thank you for your blog today.
Ah, that sounds wonderful! The ocean is the perfect playground, isn’t it? So much beauty, hours and hours of carefree entertainment…
Both words and pictures are beautiful. Well done, my friend!
I’m so glad you joined me in the tide pools! Did you pack a picnic lunch? 🙂
your photos are so fun and gorgeous too!
Thanks so much, Tammie! The subject matter makes it all look easy. 🙂
Hello, dear Melody,
your photos makes me wanna go to the sea, even when it is ‘only’ the Northern Sea 😉 The flora and fauna of your place is just very exciting for me! Thank you for your gifts from the ocean.
Ariane.
Thanks for taking us beachcombing!
I can’t imagine I’d find myself among better company, anywhere else in the whole wide world!!
Oh my gosh! I’m in love with your jewel box beach, and I love that peek-a-boo crab! We don’t have such a colourful display up here in the North. Those photos are amazingly beautiful Melodye, and, when I come to visit, I hope you will point me to that beach. (I may never leave…lol)
I’ll not only point you in that direction, I’ll take you there myself! Wouldn’t (Won’t) that be fun!?!
Love your jewel box, fantastic. It’s always nice to see how and where someone lives. Beautiful pictures and so colourful.
Laguna Beach is incredible…I think it’s among the most beautiful beaches in the world. So glad you stopped by, Joke! I loved visiting your Ocean-inspired blog, too.
Pretty! I’ve never seen those beautiful treasures wash up when I walk around. It almost feels like it isn’t the height of the tourist season over there.
I think it helps that there are strict rules against removing the ocean’s treasures from our local beaches. Not everyone respects the ocean as they should, but we’re a long ways from the days in which elementary school teachers allowed their students to rip starfish from the rocks and ferry them home from field trips.
Beautiful photo’s. Thanks for sharing.
this is a beautiful, touching entry! thank you for taking me on your ocean ‘trapping’ fest… lovely. n♥
So beautiful…