Along with the towels, chairs, cooler (no glass please) and umbrellas, pack the camera when planning a day at the beach….. Can you tell I wrote this post back when all I had was a camera to use and not an iPhone?

Time for an update to this blog post!

I do think that getting photos at the beach is a good idea and it’s much easier these days when everyone has a camera phone with them. How far we’ve come!

Finding Unexpected Beauty

Aside from photographing the kids or your sweetie, the beach can offer up unexpected beauty. It may treat you to a showy golden sunset, a rainbow, or a space shuttle launch (I see those from my local beach). Some natural occurrences like this are gone in a flash, so be ready for the unexpected.

Treasures From the Sea

You never know what might wash up on shore either. Empty seashells are okay to collect, but leave the living ones where you find them. That would be a great time for a photo!

There could be dolphin, sharks, or who knows what swimming by. On “my beach” we have ghost crabs and sea turtle nests. Lots of wildlife visit the seashore, and although they will probably stay away when people are around, you never know.

Someone may catch a big fish! That is what happened when we were hanging out at the beach near Ponce Inlet. As he carried the big bluefish back toward his car, I asked if I could get a photo.

Photos of Iconic Landmarks

Beaches are usually busy places. The Florida beach near where I live has lots of buildings and some iconic places like The Breakers Restaurant. This pink building has lasted through hurricanes and all the new “upgrades” done in the area. It remains a casual eatery where great burgers and fish sandwiches are served to patrons who have beach front seating.

Amazing Plant Life

Along the ocean beaches we find some amazing plant life that we don’t see inland. These plants and trees have special growing needs and have adapted well to a sand and salt environment.

I plan to write about the flora I’ve photographed over the years on my beach visits. Most of it I can’t name, but I’d love to know what’s out there.

The mangroves grow along the river beaches and create their own islands. Their strange roots are visible at low tide where oyster beds usually form.

What Happens at Your Beach?

The sightings listed on this page are only a few of the many possibilities of what can be found along the beach. I’d love to hear what you find or enjoy seeing on your beach-going adventures.