End of Summer...or is it!

Summer...it's not over in Sunny California!

Photography by Karen Ruhl

This past week has been very hot in Southern California with triple digits across the board.  One thing to keep in mind when being outside and at the beach (and anywhere on a sunny day) is to not only keep sun screen handy, but to not let the cool breeze fool you.  The heat snuck up on me twice this week while I was shooting at the beach, so I highly recommend keeping a bottle of water with you for hydration and to be sure you have cell coverage if you are alone so you can call for help if needed.

I love people and I love talking - just ask my husband Craig! (Who, by the way, is wonderfully suited to me because he too loves people and talking).  I get a kick out of watching people on the beach meeting strangers and carrying on conversations. It makes me smile to know that there are places where people put away their prejudices and just enjoy being out enjoying the beauty God created.

Craig and I use to have "corporate meetings" on these very benches when our son went to Laguna Beach High School.  The early morning breezes were great and we really were able to talk and plan our day.

*Note: Copyright Karen Ruhl, all rights reserved.

These two beauties were enjoying the board walk while their owners played a game of sand volleyball at the Main Beach in Laguna.  I have to admit that I was feeling a little sorry for them in their fur coats at 104 degrees.

It isn't hard to see why people from all over the world want to come and visit Laguna Beach. California has some of the prettiest ocean views around.  This is a little cove just above the main beach as shot from a nearby park that sits on a cliff.

After skipping breakfast and walking on the beach for a couple of hours, it was time to head for food! A quick 20 minute drive to Dana Point and a nice lunch gave us energy to take more photos.  The harbor at Dana Point is beautiful. You can enjoy the water, watch the boats coming and going and you will always see pelicans and other birds following the fishing boats in, just hoping for the bait to be thrown overboard after a long day out at sea.  

Dana Point hosts the Tall Ships each year and has a couple sitting at the Ocean Institute, the Brig and the Spirit of Dana Point. 

A little further up the coast at Huntington Beach, the local fishermen were on guard as these two friends wanted to share their catch.  You aren't supposed to feed the birds but a couple of fishermen threw little fish to the pelicans and were rewarded with laughter from the little children watching - or was that me squealing at the photo op?

When you are shooting photos, look for shadows and interesting shapes.  Let your picture tell a story.  

Further down the pier, we met three more pelicans.  I couldn't help but wonder if they were waiting to be seated at the restaurant or protesting the sign that said "Do not feed the birds!"

I hope you have enjoyed this week's blog.  Please feel free to pass this along to family and friends.  Subscribe by email...I will be posting a new blog at least once a week.

Have a blessed week.

All photos used in this blog are copyrighted to Karen Ruhl, and all rights are reserved.

Prints are available, feel free to contact me at 714-731-0564 

for information on prints and on photography lessons.