Love of the Sea

Surfing the Rainbow - Judith Sparhawk

The morning I spent at Morro Rock, on the surf side, when the waves were wild and crazy, I took way too many shots of the waves and surfers. This was one, with a trace of a rainbow in the spray of the wave. I don't think the rainbow shows up much here--I was disappointed I hadn't captured it was well as I'd thought. Still, I liked the huge wave and the quite skillful surfer. 10/12/21 www.sparhawkphotography.com

Sunset at Morro Rock - Judith Sparhawk

I know I already posted one shot of The Rock in Morro Bay, CA, but it was a morning shot. This is from sunset one of the days I spent there. I left my dinner at a wharfside restaurant, to go out to get a few pics of the setting sun. I then returned to finish up dinner. I liked the pastel color of this sunset--some others were brighter and more dramatic, but this one was quiet and peaceful. ** This image was selected as winner of Photo Of The Day by Imaging Resources website for today, 10/8/21 ** www.sparhawkphotography.com

Morro Rock - Judith Sparhawk

When staying in Morro Bay, California, I end up at Morro Rock--affectionately called "The Rock"--at least once a day. Many Sea Otters raise their young near here, and birds nest on the cliffs of the rock. The volcanic formation is at the mouth of Morro Bay Harbor, is 581 feet high, and was named by Spanish explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo as "El Morro" in 1542, because of its crown-like shape. It is State Historic Landmark 221. Sometimes it is cloaked in fog; on this occasion there is only a little fog hanging over the top of the formation. 9/27/21 www.sparhawkphotography.com

Montano de Oro - Judith Sparhawk

One of my favorite things to do when visiting in the Morro Bay area, is a hike out on Montano de Oro State Park, on the bluffs above the water. Below the bluffs are eroded cliffs and beaches, crashing waves, tidepools, birds. There are several miles of trails, all with wonderful views. When I first started out it was foggy and gray, but the sun came out part way on the hike, bringing out the colors in the water and cliffs. 9/30/21 www.sparhawkphotography.com

On the Beach - Judith Sparhawk

Back from a vacation up the California coast, birding and exploring the central coastal areas. This shot is from north of Morro Bay, approaching the town of San Simeon. The pier in the far distance is at the W.R. Hearst State Park, across from Hearst Castle. This is such a beautiful area, something to see everywhere you look! 9/26/21 www.sparhawkphotography.com

Wild & Free - Judith Sparhawk

When visiting in the Morro Bay area, daily trips to The Rock are always different. One side is protected by breakwaters, forming the calm entry to the boat harbor, protecting the sea otters. The other side is open to the bay and its waves, a favorite of surfers. One morning the waves were especially large and wild, with the wind blowing spume from wave tops. It was great fun shooting the waves and surfers, and I took about a zillion shots before I was done. This one shows the waves, spray and one surfer riding the wave. 9/29/21 www.sparhawkphotography.com

Hello Ms. Otter - Judith Sparhawk

This cute Sea Otter was photographed near Morro Rock in Morro Bay, California. There was a group of about 30 or more otters that stayed around in the sheltered harbor and bay on one side of the rock. There were quite a few young ones, some still laying on their mothers' stomachs. I learned that all of those in the harbor are females and young, as the males remain mostly out at sea until time to mate. The mother otters nurse the young up to 9 to 11 months, and continue to feed them for another 6 to 9 months, during which they are taught to dive for food. I enjoyed seeing them every day, going about their daily activities--napping, cleaning themselves, nursing the young, playing, and chasing after "the kids". 9/28/21 www.sparhawkphotography.com

Waves With Spindrift - Judith Sparhawk

One January I took a quick trip up the coast to Morro Bay, my go-to spot for a beach getaway. Early morning I wad down by the ocean and was entranced by the mist blowing off the cresting waves. I couldn't remember what that is called, and when I Googled it, it said "spindrift" was the name of this wave action. I had heard the term before, but didn't know what it was. Now I know! 7/20/20 My website: www.sparhawkphotography.com

View of The Rock

This shot was taken while hiking at Montano de Oro, a point of land south of the town of Morro Bay. From the bluffs above the ocean you can see Morro Rock, locally known as The Rock, a huge monolithic formation rising out of the bay, and a well-known landmark of Morro Bay. 11/28/18 Judith Sparhawk

Wave Beauty

While hiking at Montano de Oro near Morro Bay, CA, the water was a glorious turquoise blue. This particular wave had a different "ruffly" look, with the wind blowing mist off the top of the wave as it broke. I loved all the different colors in the water. 11/29/18 Judith Sparhawk

Swaying in the Sea

Walking out on the San Simeon Pier and looking straight down, I saw long strings of kelp swaying gracefully in the moving surf. The water really was this color--a beautiful turquoise green. 11/30/18 Judith Sparhawk

Water Abstract

On my recent trip up the coast I made a stop at Avila Beach and walked out on the San Luis Bay pier. I noticed the moving patterns in the water beyond the pier and took a few shots. Once I had them on the computer I realized how interesting the patterns were. 11/30/18 Judith Sparhawk

Gaviota State Beach

Coming home from up the coast last week, we made a stop at Gaviota State Beach. It was a beautiful cool day, and was a good pit stop.

Into the Cave

This cave goes through the cliffs at La Jolla Cove, in the San Diego area. These kayakers were attempting to go through and out into the surf. The trick is to paddle really really hard in between the waves. They made it!

Breaking Waves

I walked out on the Imperial Beach pier on Christmas morning. Looking down from the pier, I watched the waves breaking, and they had this wonderful color and pattern, always moving, always changing. Imperial Beach, CA.

Blue Wave

Watching the breaking waves from above on Christmas morning, I saw this amazing color and shape. Just beautiful. Imperial Beach, CA.

Amazing Grace Under Sail

This is a re-do of an image captured a few years ago at the Tall Ships Festival in Dana Point, California. I gave it a more painterly look with Topaz.

Oregon Coast Vista

Low Tide at Indian Beach

Indian Beach is around a point or two from Cannon Beach. This low tide morning allowed people to walk far out on the sand, which had been covered by surf not long before. The fog bank hovered at the horizon line.

Walking on Indian Beach

Low tide allowed a walk on Indian Beach.

Cannon Beach View

Low tide at Cannon Beach.

Fogless Day at Boiler Bay

Boiler Bay is a point on the Oregon Coast, south of Newport, often shrouded in fog. This day there was blue sky and sea!