Cape Kiwanda Beauty

Cape Kiwanda is a coastal oasis. Sandstone meets the sea. This visit was filled with discovery and explorations of areas both old and new. It is always possible to escape to areas few visit, the weather is usually quite beautiful, and the waves are magic.

Anemones in a tenuous position, waiting for the sea to return

 Despite the relatively calm winter, there had been a surprising amount of erosion of the sand, especially at the north side of the large sand hill. It's difficult to say, but I suspect the erosion is more due to the heavy use this park is subjected to every year. A number of trees in tenuous places last year had fallen downhill. We had virtually no rain this summer, so the sandstone was covered everywhere with guano, giving the rocks a whitish appearance.

Wave action after sunset

We had a very success time for our workshop here, and it was a pleasure to both teach and then return for time alone here. Had the whole area to myself and enjoyed the sea rushing in.

Sunset and sea approach this mussel lined channel

Often one is reminded of how brief we are here and how long geologic and biological changes have taken place on our beautiful planet. The next day, while exploring, I came across this section of rock.There were areas of charcoal clearly embedded in the sandstone in quite a few places.

My Firebird figure, with embedded charcoal

I look forward to my next visit, this time when the winter waves are really big!

August Workshop at Oceanside and Cape Kiwanda

Morning fog greeted us as we gathered at Oceanside for a long day of shooting and enjoying the beautiful Oregon coast.

Low tide and mist at Oceanside

Quiet and waves with the sea stacks as Frank sets up

Ever changing patterns of waves running through the rocks was enjoyable to watch and capture.

Tai getting the shot! Thanks, John

After an enjoyable lunch at Roseanna's Cafe in Oceanside, we had a long review session and discussion before heading south to Cape Kiwanda.

Cape Kiwanda is a very busy place, with all kinds of activities on the beach. We were lucky to see the fog had lifted revealing beautiful clouds and intermittent sunshine. As evening approached, we had the Cape pretty much to ourselves. It's an ideal place for beauty and photography.

Walking the beautiful sandstone cliffs with Tai. Thanks, Frank

John and I take a moment in the beautiful evening light.

 Thanks for all who attended. Participants photographs can be viewed here>>

Cape Kiwanda Reminising, Summer, 2012

Having planned a workshop in August, 2013 in the Cape Kiwanda area, I was reviewing some of the beauty there before the workshop and also my trip to the red rock in the Colorado plateau near Moab, Utah. The wind and water sculpted sandstone here reminds one of other areas of the west. Another fantastic feature is the unusual wave patterns that form and disappear. Caves, sand, shore birds and trees make for a photographers crayon box.

These photographs were all taken within 3 hours of each other. Sunshine and blue skies were quickly inundated by fog and cold, not an unusual occurrence when it's hot inland.

Just before the fog rolled in

Fog for subdued shadows and a neutral density filter make for longer exposures of the water. Tripod essential here.

Unusual waves at sunset with Sea Anenomes waiting under a rock for their next meal

Where sandstone and the Pacific meet