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...

This morning I am still in Bandon, Oregon, and plan to grab some images, get cleaned up, eat breakfast and drive to Manzanita. First its grab the images. There is a minus tide this morning so there will be some unique opportunities: starfish. When the tide goes out it exposes the lower levels of the rocks on the beaches along with the pools of water surrounding them. I have heard the starfish population has been suffering of late due to, I am told, some kind of virus.  I am hoping they are not all gone.  I am anxious to get to the beach at first light, and since it is right across the street from where I am staying I am very pleased. The beach is so different this morning from the night before. It as if I had relocated to and entirely new location. One of the signature images here is Face Rock which is what the beach is named after, Face Rock Beach. There is beauty here in the mornings that was totally unexpected given what I had experienced the night befo...

Driving up the Oregon Coast I found myself falling in love with this state. First you come to Brookings, a small town with Harris Beach a very popular stop and Boardman State Park. The park extends north of town and has several viewing sites along the highway. All very beautiful, but continue on to Bandon. Oh Bandon! What a paradise for site seers and photographers. The beaches at Bandon, as with most of the beaches in Oregon have a very gradual incline so that when a wave comes in it breaks and the glides and glides toward the high water mark. What this accomplishes for the photographer is a wonderfully reflective surface. Put something interesting to reflect, add some color in the sky and you have Bandon. In addition to the reflective qualities, the fact the beaches incline is gradual means you can stand out in the surf without being inundated by the waves. This is not true at all of the beaches in Oregon, and not even at Bandon when the surf is rough, but when it is calm, it is...