In the Heron Now

Walking on the beach and catching sight of a Blue Heron is always uplifting and restorative. I think I have more pictures of this Heron than I do of my husband!

I don't see a lot of shells on this beach and especially not one as nice as this.

The beach is a nature preserve so collecting shells is not allowed (though some people do). I photograph and move on.

Beach Power

I'm still catching up with posting photographs from some recent trips to the beach when we had a particularly warm week here.

One day we went to San Onofre State beach which is a more primitive beach (basic toilets and a rough road) than many in the area but it is loved by surfers.

It was low tide again so there were lots of interesting textures to see and a chance to walk in areas that are usually under the water.

Air holes made by critters living under the sand.

Seagulls and a Blue Heron checking out the surf.

As hubby was going to be out in the ocean for a while surfing, I decided to take a walk along an portion of beach I haven't been before. This took me past the nuclear plant at the end of the surf area.

I love how clear the reflections are in the picture below.

Wet sand can be golden or purple depending on the amount of water.

Fabulous textures.

Evidence of the patter of tiny feet.

The combination of some rocks, water, and sunlight turn an ordinary scene into something special.

Clear to Sea Part One

Some recently visiting friends provided us with an excuse for a day out to Newport Beach. There are several islands (some natural, some man made, some public, some private) in Newport Bay.

We started by crossing a bridge to get onto Balboa Island and then taking a small ferry which takes cars, bicycles, and pedestrians over to Balboa Peninsula. 

You can drive further along the coast and get to the Peninsula that way but the ferry is a fun way to travel.

We had decided to leave our car on Balboa Island and travel the ferry on foot. Once on dry land again, we walked to Balboa Pier.

We were really shocked to see how clear the water was. Neither hubby or I have ever seen the water here this clear. The water almost looked tropical.

A view of Newport Pier.

We could look down and see a greb diving for food.

How to make a restroom building more attractive.

I love these old-style neon signs.

There is a small fun fair at the water's edge.

We decided to take a boat ride around the bay. Neither we nor our friends had done this so it seemed a good activity especially as we were all starving hungry and the boat people allowed us to take our lunch on board. I had a bowl delicious of chips (fries) from Balboa Barbie Q. Hubby got fish and chips.

There is a walking path around Balboa Island which you can walk to look at some of the boats and houses but on the Peninsula and on the private islands you can't do that so the only way to see them from the water. I'm not too interested in boats but I do love to look at other people's homes. I like to see how they've decorated and arranged their gardens.

The homes in this area, especially those on the water, are very expensive and some of them are owned by celebrities and part of the commentary on the trip was pointing out who owned which house (or who used to).

The house with the green awning was the childhood home of child star Shirley Temple.

A California Sea Lion enjoying the sunshine.

Heading out towards the ocean.

A Great Egret.

When we boarded the boat, I didn't realise that we would be going out into the ocean to see a group of Sea Lions so i was thrilled when I found out where we were going.

More wanted to get on the buoy than could fit.

At times I was as excited by the reflections as by the Sea Lions!

Back to the Bay.

Pirate Cove (no pirates in evidence today - only visitors).