a day at the beach

There are few things that can clear my mind like an afternoon at the beach. When I was younger, I didn't fully appreciate the restorative powers of listening to the waves and smelling the salt air (although I've always been a rock collector). As I've gotten older, I often find myself looking seeking a walk on the beach to help sort my head out. And of course, as I've gotten more involved in photography, I've found the beach to provide endless inspiration and great colour (I almost always get to shoot ISO 50 at the beach).





The landscape and sounds of the beach are so varied from season to season, and really summer is the anomaly. The smooth sand, warm breezes, and gentle waves of the summer seem so foreign during visits at any other time of year.



In the spring, after the ice floes have all melted, the beach often looks like a mini disaster area. Seaweed, shells, large chunks of wood, and rocks of all sizes lay stranded on well onto the sand.







Along with the deposits from the ocean, are other man made remnants -- garbage, pieces of buoy, and other nautical accessories.







The waves are rougher and the breezes not so gentle in the spring, but when the sun is shining it's all worthwhile.