The O.C.

Photo: Laguna Beach Coastline Including Heisler Park, Laguna Beach, California

Yesterday I went to Laguna Beach to shoot a -1.2 foot tide. On California coastal beaches I have seen everything from whales to half-eaten seals to crustaceans, but one thing I have not seen is an octopus. And the search continues. Despite my failures, I've never been disappointed with a tide pool. The beach I went to yesterday is nicknamed "Mussel Shell Beach" by some locals.

A couple sleeper waves almost took me out to sea with the outgoing tide, and I did capture those on my camera. Perhaps captured a little too much of it... I blew those shots due to overexposure of the backlit sun so I can't show them here.

In this picture is the Laguna Beach coastline with the popular Heisler Park where those palm trees are in the middle of the photo. A few minutes before I shot this I saw a pretty blonde girl with a very tiny red and white bikini screaming while running out into the tide. It was a cold and dreary day yesterday with the storm passing by so I haven't a clue why she was out there in a bikini but I'm not one to complain about that. :-) I contemplated pulling out the telephoto lens for her but I thought better of it. In a place like Laguna, I might get mistaken for a paparazzi and that's not the reputation I want.

I decided to post this picture because I watch the once-popular tv show, The O.C. whenever I can. The series is going off the air in a few weeks so I'm going to need my own fill of Orange County scenic coastline footage to make up for that!

Photo Tips:
1. Keep your eye out for the waves. There is powerful wave action going on at this beach.
2. Bring a lens cloth. It's more effective to wipe off your filters with a lens cloth than a shirt.
3. Bring a long telephoto. You can see seals and birds on Seal Rock just off shore. I have a 300mm and that wasn't quite enough.