Crystal Cove State Park

California Spiny Lobster (Panulirus interruptus) Shell at Minus 1.6 Feet Tide, Crystal Cove State Park, California

For several years now, I have gone to tide pools during the winter months whenever the tides range from -1.0 to -2.5 feet. My goal has been to photograph the ever-elusive octopus. Octopus are generally found in rocky reefs hiding underneath rocky surfaces while half-submerged in water so they are difficult to find. They also change colors as well so finding one has proven to be quite the treasure hunt.

On a tidal zone scale of one through six, octopus are generally considered to be in the level 6 category of marine wildlife so the most likely opportunities to spot one would be when the tide is around the -2.0 feet level. In Southern California, I think the lowest tide I have ever photographed was -1.9 or -2.0 because it only gets that low for a day or two per year. Further up the Pacific Coast, the tide gets lower however and I have photographed down to negative 2.5 foot tides in the past.

My luck was no different on Saturday at Crystal Cove State Park. I did manage to photograph a nearly complex exoskeleton of a California Spiny Lobster however as it was actually lying on the beach, not even in the tide pool. I think that was a result of the extreme difference between high and low tide. In the morning, high tide was a +7.1 ft. and the low tide was -1.6 ft. For my next tide pool adventure I am going to explore a tide pool that I have never been to before so I'll keep that location a secret for now. From what I have heard, that place yields more marine wildlife. :-)

Orange County Coastline, Crystal Cove State Park, California

Apparently it's a Junkyard Out Here

Photo of Biodegradable vs Non-Biodegradable Waste, Angeles National Forest, California

Depending on the season and weather conditions, my local area can look beautiful occasionally on the surface. Upon a closer look you will find tree carvings usually of the Boy + Girl variety, you will find a lot of beer cans, and gang graffiti on the granite rocks. Ahh, the drawbacks of having a rugged wilderness area in Los Angeles County. Oh yes!

It's this type of stuff that I have to deal with every time I go out shooting near my house. As much as I want to shoot only pretty pictures, I want to be honest and won't make any illusions about what it is like to spend time in the San Gabriel Mountains. Hopefully my pictures will at least make a few people angry enough to positively influence those around them. Making people care about the environment is an uphill battle for sure in this area especially when the average person you see on a trail is a dad with his three young boys wearing sandals and breathing as if oxygen is going out of style, or teenage skinny-dippers in the creek.

I found fall foliage swirling very fast in this creek and used long exposure times to get them blurred. However I couldn't ignore the fact that a discarded beer can was also in the water. So I took the aluminum can out of the water and set it on the dry leaves. I wanted to do a visual metaphor for the moving leaves representing nature's cycle of life and the can not going anywhere; which is exactly what non-biodegradable waste does. It stays around forever. Don't litter.

South Fork of the American River

Picture of South Fork of the American River, Coloma, California

The Gold Rush began in this area when gold was discovered at Sutter's Mill by James Marshall. Nowadays, the American River is perhaps best known for being a whitewater rafting mecca during the summer months. The South Fork has Class II & III rapids so it is ideal for beginners and those who want a little excitement in their life but aren't ready to die yet either. :-) I believe the North Fork of the American River has Class III, IV, and V rapids so that section is a little more advanced. Another popular rafting place in the Sierra is the Merced River. Occasionally you might see rafters and kayakers in Yosemite Valley and in the Merced River Canyon which can be a little more tricky.

My friend, Jimmy and I rafted the South Fork in 2004. It was a little bit nerve-wracking at first to hear the safety instructions but once we completed our first series of rapids successfully, it was awesome! I'd totally do it again on a more difficult course if I knew people around here that were willing to do it. I think Jimmy would be up for it again also but he's living out of the country at the moment. Next time, I'm going to try finding a way to bring my camera along.

This picture of us about to attack a rapid will have to suffice for now. You can't see me in this photo because the wave is obscuring me. One wave was so big it flew over the raft and nearly knocked a couple of us into the river. Somehow I don't think that rapid was a Class III on this day.

Photo of Whitewater Rafting on the South Fork of the American River, California