Ocean & Beach

Gulf Coast Enchantment - Clearwater, Florida - USA

While exploring this beautiful beach town, I was treated to this enchanting and magnificent sunset, exemplary of W. Florida. While strolling the shoreline, I noticed the pelican perched on this no swimming sign. Filled with excitement, I moved quickly, getting into position to capture it, feeling it would be the perfect signature for this In the Moment capture. Thankfully he hung around for a minute while I fired away. The subtlety of the bird captured in the background was a pleasant, surprise addition.

Cotton Candy Cliffs - Torrey Pines, California - USA

High up on the cliffs in Torrey Pines. I had to hike down the hill a little bit, and work my way through some shrubs to get this magnificent, unobstructed view. Just on the other side of the cliffs, to the right, is the famous PGA Torrey Pines golf course. Southern California's coastal sunsets are often breathtaking & mesmerizing. This one was actually quite muted compared to many. Having ventured to the cliffs, I was hoping for one of those unforgettable sunset experiences, and while it didn't happen, I can't say I was disappointed! The pleasant, soft, cotton candy hues were quite pleasing. I feel this piece exemplifies an important realization. We can always look for and find the beauty in life, even when there is a let down in our hopes or expectations.

Morning Magnificence - Daytona Beach, Florida - USA

Not long after sunrise, Daytona Beach was bustling with life, including our seagull friends here, despite a gray and misty morning. As the clouds began dispersing, they cleared the way for some sunshine, and provided this magnificent reflection. I was over joyed and filled with a feeling of awe and aliveness as color and life made it's way into my morning.

Electric Ripples - Plymouth, Massachusetts - USA

After a full day of touristy, pilgrimmy things, this was a refreshing, spontaneous stop on my way out of Plymouth. Found on the small inlet of Plymouth Long Beach. Strolling and observing, I became fascinated by these rippled, wavy reflections of light. The shell is submerged in the water, allowing it's brilliant colors to shine. Thousands, if not millions of crushed up seashell bits can also be seen here. The black in the sand is from the proximity to the road, and accumulated dirt & debris.

Happy Place - Dana Point, California - USA

This rocky cove is a popular spot. I managed to capture this while a small wedding was taking place just to the right of the image. I sure do love rocks, especially rocks on the beach, and this fantastic cove delivers plenty of them! Cliffs, rocks, gentle waves rolling in, and retracting, and the sun setting is quite a prescription for my happy place, despite the crowd. In my own world of bliss and happiness, the streaks in the sand, from the waves retracting, is what captured my adoration during this sunset, and became the focal point of the capture.

High Tide Impressions - Wakonda Beach, OR

Beachside State Park. Drove to the beach to simply watch the sunset. Plans immediately changed in the parking lot, when I spotted these incredible pools of water left from high tide. As the sun was nearly set, and darkness was impending, I literally ran down to the beach, at least 100 yards, through thick sand full of wood debris. I wanted enough time and light to make these pools the focus of the capture. I take care in editing not to "over do it", but threw all reservations out the window here, because the scene left such an impression on me, that I wanted the final product to do the same.

Silky Sunset at the Pier - Long Beach, CA

This was a spontaneous, In the Moment capture, seen while strolling down the shoreline at sunset. First time venturing to the pier, and I was treated to this glorious color palette. The silky reflection of the orange and purple hues is what captivated, and moved me to turn on the camera. This resulted from the very gently moving ocean with virtually no waves. This image is nearly untouched in editing.

Key West Magic - Key West, Florida - USA

Key West is famed for it's sunsets. So much so, that they have a nightly celebration-festival on their boardwalk-dock, packed with crowds, artists, performers, and of course, paid parking. The one night I was there, the magic in the sky did not disappoint! It was truly a challenge capturing it among the hordes of others doing the same. I managed to make way through the crowd for an unobstructed view, without stepping on any hands or toes that I can recall. This sailboat made a timely appearance, providing a lovely signature on the memory.

Flock of Seagulls - Siesta Key, FL

Apologies to the 80's band with the namesake, but I can't think of a more appropriate name. I was in awe at the size of this flock! Siesta Key Beach was ranked the #1 beach in the USA by Trip Advisor, and they clearly heard the news as well. It was a drizzly, cloudy day. I took advantage of the little bit of light poking through, and the puddles from the rain, to compose this image, which captures, by far, the largest flock of sea birds I've ever witnessed.

Lover's Key Beach, Florida - USA

Gray Day - Seal Rock, Oregon - USA

Oregon coast weather tends to be gray. A lot. That didn't deter me from exploring Seal Rock State Park on this day. The most interesting feature of the area is clearly the towering rock formations, commonly found on the Oregon Coast. Color was not required to capture the silhouette of these beauties. Seagulls hanging out around the forefront rock provided extra context. This was a moody, gray day, and when I created the capture, I envisioned it as a moody black and white.

Long Beach Beauty - Long Beach, CA

Nothing particularly exceptional about this scene on this day. Just your average, beautifully, vibrantly blue Southern California sky, and vibrantly blue water. The Long Beach skyline, and hills of Rancho Palos Verdes are in the distance. My "Silky Sunset at the Pier", also in this gallery, was taken on the same day as I strolled further down the shoreline.

Serenity - Lincoln City, Oregon - USA

It's hard to put into words just how majestic, powerful, and transformative the ocean is. When I am alone, present, in it's presence, I feel the presence of the Almighty, and a connection to our divine source, aka God. Although it's difficult to describe the ocean's effect, one word that comes to mind is "Serenity". This, among many other feelings, was felt in this moment of time. I actually came to this beach spot to try and create a capture with a rock formation that I fell in love with earlier in the day. However, with the tides changing, it didn't work out as I'd hoped. I captured this while en route to the rock formation. Needless to say, I'm very happy with the decision to stop, and be present in this moment of serenity, instead of passing it up for the rock scene that didn't work out.

Portland Head Leap - Portland Head Lighthouse, Maine - USA

They say this is possibly the most photographed light house in America. So naturally, I wanted to capture it in a way that would be a different perspective than countless others. The most fascinating aspect of this historic landmark, and of Maine in general, in my estimation, is the incredible craggy, rocky coast line. Being a lover of geology, and these formations, I wanted it to be the feature of the image. To do this, I had to take a leap over a fence, and ignore a few signs telling me not to do so. I felt this was the best way for me to capture this iconic scene, and I couldn't possibly settle for less. I've been told that the fence has since been removed.

Alone with Cobblestone - Owl's Head, Maine - USA

These beautiful creations were found on a rocky shoreline in Maine, at Owl's Head State Park. I came to see the lighthouse, and found myself spending most of my time admiring the fascinating and endless variety of cobblestone lining the beach. I imagine many people walk by, without taking the time to notice the intricate beauty Mother Nature provides us right under our feet. I had a fantastic time being In the Moment, Alone with the Cobblestone.

Mesmerized in Maine - Higgins Beach, ME

An absolutely fantastic array of cloud cover provided me with this amazing, mesmerizing reflection, and shades of silver, on a brisk, windy day on this tiny, tucked away beach in Maine. Often when we think of the beach, we think of warmth and sunshine. But this scene excites me as much as any other beach scene.

Driftwood Delight - Lover's Key, FL

I was particularly excited to visit Lover's Key Beach. Among the other highlights it offers, this was my first opportunity to witness, and photograph the phenomena of driftwood on the beach. This beauty, with it's distinct contour, lines and wood pecked holes, did not disappoint, and filled me with delight!

California Love - Oceanside, California - USA

I've seen quite a few ocean sunsets throughout Southern California, and they're just one of the many reasons why I love the state. This capture was taken by hand, while strolling along the shoreline in Oceanside, immersed in the ocean's majestic beauty. As with most of my work, it was in the moment, and meditative, not pre-meditated. The beautiful, big rolling waves, lovely color palette, and streaking sunlight came together in fantastic harmony, and reminded me why I have so much Love for California.

Chasing the Orb - Cape San Blas, Florida - USA

Cape San Blas is a beautiful inlet in the Gulf of Mexico, in the Florida panhandle, south of Panama City. After spending a day there snorkeling and exploring, was driving back to the campsite in the Apalachicola National Forest, with no specific intention of capturing a sunset. However, as the sun descended further toward the horizon, I noticed the thick clouds providing this beautiful orb. So I began a chase after the orb to capture it. Running short on time, I pulled off the road at a spot that I thought would allow me to make the capture through the palm trees. I also endured quite a few bites from the swarms of gnats that were common to this area. But the excitement of the chase, and the thrill of the capture was well worth it!

Long Beach; Long Lines - Long Beach, CA

Strolling through and exploring my former hometown. Glanced down this path, and was struck, and drawn to the long shadowy lines, sun rays, and winding path. The beautiful cloud cover, skyline, highway bridge, Los Angeles port, and expansive beach all contributed to the joy I felt, while looking at these long lines in Long Beach.

Peering Under the Pier - Myrtle Beach, South Carolina - USA

Focused on the symmetry, and contrasts in the wood, with this view underneath the pier in Myrtle. I couldn't have asked for a more beautiful backdrop of perfect blue sky and reflective blue water. Interestingly, and coincidentally, the horizon line aligns nearly perfectly with the water lines in the wood from higher tides. The small, gently crashing waves provided me an extra sense of peace as I was peering under the pier.

Scattered - Siesta Key, FL

I was excited to visit the "#1 Beach in the USA" according to trip advisor, and the small billboard advertising this upon entering the beach. However, this was a wet, cloudy day, not providing much excitement in terms of color and ocean scenery. But, beauty is everywhere, always present, and I found plenty of excitement and beauty to admire with this large flock of seagulls. Exciting for me, and the young little girl who relentlessly, and joyfully chased after them, causing the scattering and mass exodus that I thoroughly enjoyed capturing.

Misty Morning Crowd - Daytona Beach, Florida - USA

When you're vacationing in Daytona Beach, you don't care about the weather, you're just happy to be at the beach. As evidenced by the crowds that were out in full force on this misty, cloudy morning. Look closely, and you can see many subtle silhouettes on the crowded beach. I too, didn't care about the weather, simply happy to experience the ocean's majesty. I thoroughly enjoyed the moodiness, the distinctly layered scenery, and various hues.