In the Field: Photo Blog by Richard Wong

Photography field reports by Richard Wong. Richard’s work has been published in magazines, books, advertising, and offers fine art prints of his work. Images may be licensed as rights-managed stock photos by contacting Richard directly at Richard@rwongphoto.com or (626) 422-6151. California stock photography, fine art prints, photo blog: www.rwongphoto.com

Crystal Cove State Park

Posted on | November 27, 2007 | 7 Comments

California Spiny Lobster (Panulirus interruptus) Shell at Minus 1.6 Feet Tide, Crystal Cove State Park, CaliforniaCalifornia Spiny Lobster (Panulirus interruptus) Shell at Minus 1.6 Feet Tide, Crystal Cove State Park, California

For several years now, I have gone to tide pools during the winter months whenever the tides range from -1.0 to -2.5 feet. My goal has been to photograph the ever-elusive octopus. Octopus are generally found in rocky reefs hiding underneath rocky surfaces while half-submerged in water so they are difficult to find. They also change colors as well so finding one has proven to be quite the treasure hunt.

On a tidal zone scale of one through six, octopus are generally considered to be in the level 6 category of marine wildlife so the most likely opportunities to spot one would be when the tide is around the -2.0 feet level. In Southern California, I think the lowest tide I have ever photographed was -1.9 or -2.0 because it only gets that low for a day or two per year. Further up the Pacific Coast, the tide gets lower however and I have photographed down to negative 2.5 foot tides in the past.

My luck was no different on Saturday at Crystal Cove State Park. I did manage to photograph a nearly complex exoskeleton of a California Spiny Lobster however as it was actually lying on the beach, not even in the tide pool. I think that was a result of the extreme difference between high and low tide. In the morning, high tide was a +7.1 ft. and the low tide was -1.6 ft. For my next tide pool adventure I am going to explore a tide pool that I have never been to before so I’ll keep that location a secret for now. From what I have heard, that place yields more marine wildlife. :-)

Orange County Coastline, Crystal Cove State Park, CaliforniaOrange County Coastline, Crystal Cove State Park, California

See more of my Crystal Cove State Park photos.

Category: Crystal Cove SP
Tags: > > > > > >

Comments

7 Responses to “Crystal Cove State Park”

  1. Sherri Meyer
    November 28th, 2007 @ 10:06 am

    Nice write up and photos Richard. I have never heard of Crystal Cove State Park before now, but it sure sounds like a neat place.

    You should try to get these photos into the California State Park Guidebook!

  2. Richard
    November 28th, 2007 @ 10:53 am

    Thanks Sherri. Crystal Cove is inbetween Corona del Mar and Laguna Beach. I prefer it over the city beaches because there is plenty of room to accomodate people so no one is in your way. at laguna, seemingly you have to step around people laying on their towels just to get to the water. the drawback is that it cost $10 on days they are collecting.

    yeah, I’d rather see my own images in the State Parks guide than what they currently use. :-)

  3. Ron Niebrugge
    November 29th, 2007 @ 9:28 am

    That is cool Richard!

    The end of the rock jetties on the Newport Peninsula can be good places to find stuff on real low tides.

    Ron

  4. Richard
    November 29th, 2007 @ 10:07 am

    Thanks Ron. That is interesting about the Newport Peninsula. I’ve driven by there a few times but didn’t get out of the car. Photographer’s block I guess.

  5. Ron Niebrugge
    November 29th, 2007 @ 2:18 pm

    Yeah, I would have had no idea if I hadn’t lived out there during college.

  6. Richard
    November 29th, 2007 @ 2:39 pm

    man you were lucky Ron. One of my shooting routines over the past two years is to take a cruise thru Upper Newport Back Bay before heading off to one of the beaches.

  7. Richard Wong
    February 26th, 2009 @ 1:11 am

    I lost a recent comment due to the blog migration so I apologize but here is the tide chart information as requested:

    http://www.saltwatertides.com/dynamic.dir/californiasites.html

    I also check the L.A. Times California section for current tide information. Unfortunately the newspaper is discontinuing the California section this month.

Leave a Reply





Page 1 of 0