Creatures of the Tide: Part 2

Welcome to Part 2 of my Creatures of the Tide series! For this post I’m featuring a cluster of barnacles and sea snails I found on a nearby rock. I love the color contrast between the snails’ shells, and the neutral color of the barnacles. The shells range from a dark grey to purple. One of the best things about this photo? It holds a secret surprise! If you look closely, you’ll find there’s a snail inside the shell of a barnacle. Photos like this not only showcase the variety of sea life, but also the surprises that are in plain sight. Join me next time for Part 3 of this series!

Creatures of the Tide: Part 1

While taking a walk at a waterfront city park, I decided to explore a small beach that featured lots of drift wood and rocks along the shore. Looking closer, I found several limpets clinging to the rocks and driftwood. The one pictured below was hiding among some barnacles. Nature is all around us, but sometimes we have to slow down to find it. Small creatures like these are a unique way to bring the outdoors into your home. A collection of similar photos gathered together would make a great collage to update your space for the summer. Stay tuned for more pictures featuring creatures of the tide found along the shoreline!

A Path to Somewhere

Path to somewhereWelcome to 2020! People often use this time to year to create and (hopefully) accomplish new goals. In other words, we’re likely starting on a new path. While many people use a mood or inspiration board to keep motivated, I think a picture can be a great inspiration for your journey. A picture similar to the one above can be a great reminder to keep moving forward in anticipation of what’s ahead. Try hanging the picture in a place you’ll see daily, like an entryway or bedroom. While my photo was taken at a wildlife refuge, your photo can be a path from anywhere: a garden, beach, sidewalk, or an opening in the clouds. No matter what type of path you choose to use, let it be your inspiration for a new year.

The Secret Cove

A few minutes up the river from where I took the picture in my previous post, I came upon a small cove tucked away behind what looked like a solid row of hedges. However, on closer inspection, I found this beach-like area located off the main river. Even though this is part of the river, a photo like this creates a coastal vibe. The sun glistening off the water, small beach, and a peak of blue sky between the branches, reminds me of an estuary near the ocean. However, a river photo is a great way to get a beach vibe when going to the ocean isn’t an option. So, if you want to update your space with a coastal vibe this summer, rivers are the perfect solution!

Rocky Shores on Sunny Days

Sunny beach_volcanic rocksWhat comes to mind when you think of the beach? Probably sun, sand, and surf. However, depending on where you are, there can be less sand and more rocks. Living in the Ring of Fire, one sometimes comes across beaches made entirely of black volcanic rock. Though not your typical beach, I find them beautiful nonetheless. Why would you want to display photo of a rocky beach in your house? One word: unique! Anyone can display a picture of a sandy beach, but one with black volcanic rocks is an attention-grabber and conversation piece. You can capture a similar image by photographing any nearby rocky shore. Whether you choose an ocean, lake, or river, you can easily create a unique focal point for any room!

Life within the Rock

Life within the rockWhile taking a walk along the shore, we often ignore the rocks and boulders we encounter on the sand. However, one day I decided to stop at a large boulder that was partially submerged in water. What did I find? A myriad of sea creates! From barnacles to clams, and even fossils, I was able to get a glimpse of an underwater kingdom. Want to display a similar type of photo in your space? A coastline or tide pool is a great place to take a photo that exposes part of the underwater world. Depending on your location, you can photograph starfish, sea anemones, fossils, barnacles, and other sea life. No matter what you photograph, you’ll be showcasing the wonders of the ocean while adding cool summer decor to your space!

The Driftwood Ship

Driftwood shipWhen you go for a stroll on the beach, one often comes across large pieces of driftwood. On one beach, we came across a large old-growth tree that washed up on shore. Over time, it was cut up to look like a ship washed up on shore. I loved the look, so I decided to snap a photo and share it with you. While most people wouldn’t find something similar on any beach, it can still be a great inspiration! Large pieces of driftwood can be found on most beaches, and if you take a photo from the right angle, you can get an amazing shot. Your unique photo will be the perfect addition to any space, and will also capture a great memory of your fun day at the beach!

The Alien-Landscape Beach: A Close-up

Alien beach_close-upPictured on the right is a close-up of the rocky shores seen in my previous post. It’s amazing to see how the seaweed covered rocks have been formed and shaped after centuries of being hit by waves. Such a unique photo is not only a great focal point, but also a great conversation starter in any space. If you have several photos of the same type of landscape, you can arrange a series of photos on a wall, or split them up between several different rooms. Hope everyone has a safe and Happy 4th of July, and that you’ll find great inspiration to brighten up your space.

The Alien-Landscape Beach

Alien beachAnyone who goes to the same beach year after year will inevitably see the landscape change. Sometimes there are dunes, driftwood, or even the shifting of an entire creek that flows into the ocean. Sometimes, the shift is more dramatic. The picture on the right is one such example. Over the years, the sand has shifted and eroded to reveal an alien-like rocky landscape. The oddly shaped rocks, covered in seaweed, create a striking contrast to the blue and white waves of the ocean and the expansive sky. Whether you’d use your photo as a focal point, or add it to a grouping of similar photos, you can create an otherworldly feel by using the wonders of nature!

Footsteps in the Sand

Footsteps on sandy beachAs the weather here goes between sunny, to rainy, to back again, I decided to share a photo from my previous vacation. The sandy stretch of beach, full of footprints, is just the place you want to spend the weekend! This photo is the perfect combination of sand, sea, and sky. That’s the nice thing about vacation photos-they can remind you of happy times when you were able to relax without a care in the world. If you have vacation photos, frame several of them and cluster them on a table or shelf. Not only will they add a new element to your space, but it’s also a great way to remind you of fun times. Have a great weekend, everybody!