A Quick Trip to Crescent Beach

Even though the day was questionable weather-wise, I really wanted to get out and operate my radio in a park; the day was looking like it might work but with the snow still covering the lawn and which was melting making things wet and muddy, it seemed a bit less inviting. I wasn’t sure if the park in north Surrey I next wanted to visit would be snow free as the area got more snow than here. The Kwomais Point Park in Ocean Park was also calling me but again I wasn’t sure about the snow. So with all this uncertainty I decided it was time to put aside the radio and go out with my camera and spend some time looking for images.

I collected my camera and set out in the car. I wasn’t really sure where I wanted to go but I decided to head for Crescent Beach and check out the one park on the way home. It was an area I have enjoyed for over 50 years and though it has changed, much remains as I remember it from my youth.  Always a spot where one can relax in the beauty of nature.

I made good time to the beach and found a parking stall in the Spit area. Few people were about and so most of the stalls were open. Upon exiting the car, I noticed some bare trees around the picnic area which looked interesting and I decided to walk that way and then south along the beach. The branches of the naked trees formed some lovely shapes and I took a few minutes to compose some shots of the trees.

I continued walking past Sullivan Street and gathered some water and beach panoramas. The dull overcast day made the scenery images a bit depressing so I didn’t gather many.  As I rounded the point the wind became strong and cold, I decided to look for some macro type images and took a few photos of the driftwood that was strewn across the beach. The wood, water and lichens make for some interesting colours and shapes in the logs. I was now getting a bit chilled from the wind so I turned back to get behind the point. Along the return walk I spotted some dry grass clumps that caught my attention as they blew in the wind.

I made my way back to the parking lot and continued east past the dog park and into the small sensitive triangle area alongside the Nicomekl River. This time of year the grasses are flat and brown, not overly lively but the starkness of the grass against the water and mud channels can offer its own touch of interest. It was a nice walk along the trail. There were a few people out walking but the numbers were quite low – one of the nice things about mid-week. By now the coolness was penetrating a bit through my jacket and I decided to head back to the car. The weather looked like it was going to rain or snow a bit anytime as well.

I soon reached the car and drove out of the beach area. I was debating whether to grab a hot chocolate at the nearby café, but the calorie count kept me driving past!  I made for the Kwomais Point Park as planned and there I noticed it was snow free. I could have gone there but for the wind. Though a bit less gusty than on the beach it was still exposed to the full force of it up there on the point. I continued driving down along the White Rock beach area and then made for home. Not much time after arriving home the weather erupted in a short session of hard blowing freezing rain and snow. Though it didn’t last long, it was a sign that my choice of walking for photos was the better one for the day.