Big thanks to my friend Marty for suggesting this spot (sorry I didn’t call you!).

My insomnia turned into an early morning drive up the California coast to Little Corona Del Mar. It was 3am and I simply couldn’t sleep. The morning ahead was a rare one that held no pressing responsibilities for work or for home. I decided on the spot to make the 90 minute drive from San Diego north to Little Corona Del Mar beach. This is a cove that my photo buddy Martin Feldman has photographed many times and kept telling me I needed to visit. Today is the day! I scribbled a note in the kitchen to let my family know where I was off to, gathered up the photo gear, and hit the road. I could be there before sunrise.

After arrival, I scouted the area for several minutes. As much as I was drawn to the arched rock, the tides and the light were not in my favor to work that area of the beach. I walked north to the base of the bluffs where there were plenty of rock formations. The tide was on the rise, providing a good mix of wave action among the rocks. The surf was reasonably calm, too, letting me get in and among the rocks and up close with the whitewash. I enjoyed capturing black and white images of the rocks and sea foam. My Haida filters soon came out to capture some longer exposures of 2 to 3 seconds, softening the harsher chop on the water and letting the foam create weaving patterns between the rocks.

As the sun cleared the hills to the east, the color retreated from the sky. The surf also started to pick up. I had framed up a row of jagged rocks, just waiting for the right set of waves to crash over it and make a brief yet beautiful waterfall. My patience paid off!

I truly enjoyed this small cove of a beach. I look forward to visiting again. It is rich with photo opportunities. And Marty … next time we’ll need to meet up!