Inspired

My first 24 years were spent in the damp green glory of the Pacific Northwest. Nestled in a small town encircled by tree covered hills and graced by the quiet beauty of the Umpqua river curving and carving its way through town and beyond.

Growing up surrounded by a bounty of natural beauty, I probably took a lot of it for granted.  The croaking of frogs living under my house and the cock-a-doodle-do of a rooster down the street, waking me in the morning.  There were pheasants hiding in a field of tall grass just beyond our back fence, orchards of pear and walnut trees skirting the path to the river, which as a child seemed much further than it was.  Waiting in the chill of morning for the school bus, a horse would hang his head over the fence asking for attention. My elementary school playground was in a stand of tall fir trees with sturdy broad trunks and limbs that reached out like protective arms sheltering us from weather and feeding our imaginations.

This is where I fell in love with photography.

In an hour, by car, the Oregon coast awaited and I relished each visit.  The mood of the ocean in that part of the world can be a match for an adolescent girl. Unpredictable.  Vast expanses of soft sand beaches offer solitude. Serious rock and shell collectors can stroll unfettered while gathering their treasures.  Vistas abound.  Craggy cliffs with churning water and crashing waves below make for spectacular entertainment.

This is where I fell in love with the ocean.

When given the opportunity to move to Laguna Niguel, in Southern California, I accepted without hesitation.  When I reached my new home it was minutes from stunning beaches and in a climate where more days than not included sunshine…a winning pair.  I stayed.

Photography is my way of sharing what I’m blessed enough to see.  This website is a perfect forum to express my gratitude for that privilege, by sharing with those interested in seeing…..what I see.

It’s my sincere hope that the images I capture bring a bit of joy to your day.