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!
Tag Archives: rocks
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!
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!
The Bridge Over the Falls
Walking further down from the location where I took the picture in my previous post, I saw a wooden bridge off in the distance. The bridge, almost appearing to be suspended between two trees, is positioned over the largest waterfall in the park. A similar photo would look great in a living or dining room. The unique look, along with the play of light and shadow, would be a great addition to your spring decor. You can easily take a similar photo by going to your local park or finding an area with a railroad bridge. No matter what type of bridge you decide to photograph, you can easily bring this architectural element into your space.
Rocky Shores on Sunny Days
What 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!
Cliffs at the Water’s Edge
I wanted to share this gorgeous shot of the ocean from high above the cliffs. The expansive ocean and endless blue sky give this photo a grandiose feel. Using photos that show something on such a large scale can make even the smallest of spaces seem bigger. You can find similar pictures at big box stores, or create your own by photographing a body of water or other natural landscape from an elevated position. By using large-sized prints, you can create the perfect scale in any room. No matter what type of photograph you use, you’re sure to create the perfect look to compliment your space!
Life within the Rock
While 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 Alien-Landscape Beach: A Close-up
Pictured 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
Anyone 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!
Decorating with Underwater Photography: Part 3
In my third post on underwater photography, I’ll be focusing on a fish called a Grunt Sculpin. It was fascinating walking up to the glass and seeing how this fish moved! It didn’t use its fins in the traditional way, rather it used them to crawl along the rocks lining the bottom of the exhibit. I’ve never seen this fish before, so I wanted to share it with my readers and followers. The myriad of colors would go with any decor, so the sky’s the limit when it comes to where and how to display a similar photo. Additionally, capturing and displaying unusual underwater specimens is a great conversation starter at any party! Whether for your enjoyment or that of your guests, you can give your space an exotic feel with the simple addition of a unique photo.