Notes To My Mother

Just a few miles north of the little town of Manzanita Oregon is a beach called Smuggler Cove. It is a popular beach for surfers and the parking can be difficult if the surf is good. But early in the morning it is deserted. By early, I mean well before sunrise. It is not a long walk to the beach and the trail is very good but a flashlight is required in the dark as there are plenty of things to trip on. On this morning the moon, which was nearly full, was just settling down into the horizon creating a very magical moment. To be alone with the sounds of the surf, the smell of the ocean, a cool gentle breeze and scenery like this – what more could a person ask for? It was low tide on the two occasions I visited this beach so much of it was exposed. But you can see that with the very gradual slope of the beach when the tide rises the beach will be covered with water and I suspect the waves must give the surfers quite a ride. Aside from that, this was such a peaceful set...

In the northwest corner of the State of California there is a little town called Trinidad. It is a sweet little place perched on a hillside overlooking the Pacific Ocean. A short squat red and white lighthouse next to the road on the southern edge of the town looks over the boats moored far below by the pier that juts out into a protected cove. The view from here is toward the south and it is expansive. Venturing around the town to the northwest side you will find a sweet little beach with some very nice views. The easiest way to access this beach is through Trinidad Beach State Park where you can easily access a trail that winds back and forth down to the beach. As with so many sites I visit I first discovered this one on the internet where I found an exquisite image taken by Patrick Smith. It was a time delayed shot taken with the aide of a ten-stop neutral density filter and the colors and textures were wonderful. I wanted the experience of shooting a similar shot, so on my w...