Pacific Ocean | Russ Bishop Photography | Nature Photo Blog

June 7, 2023June 19, 2023

World Oceans Day

June 8th is World Oceans Day – a chance to celebrate the bodies of water that make up 70% of our planet and provide food, recreation and place to rejuvenate the spirit. As home to an estimated 230,000 marine species, our oceans are a vast wilderness with ecosystems critically linked with our own. Unfortunately many of the earth’s inhabitants never see or experience our oceans, yet our impact through pollution and over-fishing has taken its toll.

Organizations such as the The Ocean Project provide a great opportunity to get directly involved in protecting the future of our oceans through personal and community involvement. Working with zoos, aquariums, and conservation groups, they sponsor beach cleanups, educational programs, art contests, film festivals, sustainable seafood events, and other activities that help to raise consciousness of how our lives depend on the oceans and what we can do to keep them healthy long into the future.

July 28, 2022July 28, 2022

Big Sur Classic

The Big Sur coast is one of those truly special locations that never fails to impress. The rocky shoreline and misty mountains are instantly recognizable the world over, yet her mood is constantly changing throughout the seasons providing a fresh perspective with each new visit.

From the early morning fog to the golden sunsets, this meeting of land and sea is in a constant state of flux. And as you make your way along that magical ribbon known as Highway 1, each turn reveals a slightly different scene that somehow seems more dramatic than the last.

For photographers, this perpetual change is ideal and the challenge of making fresh images (common in many other popular landmarks) is all but removed. The Big Sur coast is also part of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, and its rich sea life, including Elephant Seals, otters. and migrating gray whales, provides yet another opportunity for great imagery and unparalleled wildlife viewing .

March 28, 2019September 4, 2020

Kauai’s Secret Beach

Surf crashing on rocks at Secret Beach, Kauai, Hawaii

If you’re in search of warmer latitudes and a sense of adventure the north shore of Kauai is a great place to get away from it all. From the rugged Na Pali Coast at road’s end in Ha’ena, the famed Kalalau Trail traverses the cliffs and valleys of this spectacular landscape for a truly unforgettable hiking experience.

For maximum time on the water, kayaking the 16 mile coastline is a truly unique way to see this remote part of the island that doesn’t require an overnight. Several tour companies in Hanalei provide all the equipment and an informative guide along with pickup service at the end of the journey.

But perhaps this all sounds a bit too adventurous after your escape from the mainland, and all you really want is a quite little piece of paradise to call your own. In that case, you can’t do much better than Kauapea Beach (known by the locals as Secret Beach). This pristine strip of golden sand is a short detour off the Kuhio Highway, but is rarely crowded and offers wonderful views of the Kilauea Lighthouse above the turquoise waters of the Pacific.

Whether you need to wind down with your toes in the sand after a day of hiking or paddling, or prefer to spend all your time a la Robinson Crusoe just off the grid and unplugged – this secluded hideaway is a mandatory stop on your North Shore adventure.