Day 4 of Susannah Conway’s #AugustBreak2015 photography challenge. The word of the day is numbers.
A sea of numbers, under the lifeguard stand
How do you translate numbers into real-life experiences? I snapped a few pictures, to help sum things up.
Paddle boarders venture into the waves, beyond the reach of the rip currents.
A friendly dragon with a birds-eye view.
Family fun–not a cell phone in sight!
A singular tribute, left untouched
“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.
The stars aligned for me yet again, in that this week’s Challenge Word enticed me away from my computer and into yet another outdoor adventure. I grabbed a picnic lunch, my camera, and a couple of books, and sped down PCH steered my roadster toward Laguna, which is where I photographed this constellation of stars.
There’s so much to love about Cynthia Lord’s upcoming release, A Handful of Stars. I’m reminded of my junior high school friend, Luz, the daughter of a migrant farm worker who takes a lead role in my contribution to the YA anthology, Dear Bully.
Bibliophiles, don’t you fret! There’s a waxed paper barrier between this sweet little book & the wet sand.
Lucky me, I’ve also got an advanced review copy of Jeannine Atkins’ newest novel, Little Woman in Blue! At a time when women assumed subservient roles on the whole, artist May Alcott steps out from behind her famous sister Louisa’s shadows and becomes the star of her own life. *applauds wildly*
Little Woman in Blue, sitting pretty on a lifeguard’s rescue watercraft
There’s a shortage of starfish in our local tide pools, so I brought one of my own, for the purpose of this challenge. Funny story: When I was snapping this picture, a cluster of Aussies gathered ’round, talking with animated gestures about what they’d assumed was a gift from the sea, washed ashore by these waves. We laughed about it afterwards, and they joked that they’d brought with them the whales that were breaching off shore before I got there.
No, he’s not a star. But when this seagull kept wandering into the frame, I decided to give him his moment in the sun.
This bright yellow bloom is a reflection of the sun itself, which everyone knows is a star.
Blue on blue, what a stellar day! I’d rate it five starfish out of five!
Linkfest! If you want to see other bloggers’ responses to this week’s challenge, click here.
My photographic response to last week’s challenge, coats, is here.
In which Tibetan Buddhist monks created a sand mandala, and then returned it to the sea. (At Neighborhood Congregational Church in Laguna Beach; video here)
One of our favorite Christmas traditions isn't all that traditional. To wit: When things get hectic, as they are wont to do this time of year, we abandon our "obligations" (wrapping presents, writing Christmas cards, baking cookies…), and make our way back to the ocean.
Lucky for us, Laguna's thisclose! In this vibrant beachfront community, artists and surfers share a peaceful coexistence, and tourists try their best to blend in with the locals. That's no easy task, given that this is a town where creative self-expression reigns supreme.
It's also known for its upscale village vibe, but even when you're browsing Laguna's fanciest boutiques, you never forget you're by the ocean.
That's what appeals to us most.
Waves crash against craggy rocks, inviting us to play. We squat, and as we explore the tide pools, we are misted with salty spray.
We stroll the boardwalk. People-watching's a given, of course, and we stop often, so as to admire the beautiful (if sometimes freakish) native plants.
As always, Mother Nature's tucked a treasure trove of gifts into the sandy waterfront…
…and stashed a few surprises in the highest branches. (I didn't notice the hawk perched atop this tree, for instance, until after I downloaded this picture.)
As evening approaches, the coastline develops a shimmery glow so luminous, it rivals a twinkling Christmas tree.
The sky darkens, and pink-tinged clouds roll in. A flock of seagulls lands atop this outcropping of rocks–front row seats for the impending sunset.
"Look," I whisper. I hear murmurings from those who surround us. And then…a widespread hush. The whole world falls silent, it seems, when the sun drops below the horizon.
And in that quiet space between daylight and darkness, we are refreshed and renewed…filled again with the spirit of the season.
Yesterday, a dear friend and I enjoyed a luxurious afternoon together in Laguna. What better place to celebrate her birthday than the beach? The marine layer dissolved as we drove through the canyon, and by the time we reached Pacific Coast Highway, chrystalline waters were kissing the sparkling blue sky.
We ducked into a gorgeous art gallery, where we fell in love with this painting, and then we stopped at a beachside restaurant for lunch. Time ticked by and as the waves rolled in, we savored our friendship over this festive lunch.
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Already this morning, the mockingbirds are fighting the goldfinches and hummingbirds for backyard dominion. There’s no sign of autumn in our backyard, unless you’re one to notice the angle of the sun as it’s filtered through pepper trees and palms. Maybe we’ll see some fall foliage on the way to Los Angeles. I’m always up for a field trip, but this one’s particularly exciting: We’re going to see "Leap of Faith," the Broadway-bound musical, at the Ahmanson Theatre!
So much has changed since I was a young girl, criss-crossing the country in the crowded sedan that towed my father’s canvas cathedral! It’s a miracle, really. We’re not wealthy by any means, but I am rich in my friendships, and I’ve got a storehouse of happy memories like these. It isn’t all wine and roses, of course. I struggle with fears and uncertainty, just like everyone else. Insecurities still linger; they’re just dressed in different clothes. But even if everything vanished again tomorrow, my heart would still be full. For I know with a certainty that joy cometh in the morning…that I’ve been well and truly blessed.
