The Fitzgerald Marine Reserve in Moss Beach, California is one of my favorite spots. It is a stunning “no-take” marine protected area located south of San Francisco.
A walk on the rocks at low tide is an exciting exploration of tidal pools filled with colorful sea life and flats covered with resting harbor seals and feeding shore birds. An easy place to get lost in natural beauty and photography.
“Take nothing but pictures
Kill nothing but time
Leave nothing but footprints
To show you came by.”
~ John Kay
Sea Anemone
Sea Star
“An understanding of the natural world and what’s in it is a source of not only a great curiosity but great fulfillment.”
~ David Attenborough
Exploring
Reaching
“In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.”
~John Muir
Wendy
Red Kelp and Rock
Kelp Abstract
“When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the universe.”
~John Muir
Clam Houses
Kelp
Sea Grass and Bubbles
Jane Lurie Photography 
I remember going to these tide pools when I was a young boy. Fond memories. Thanks.
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This was the greatest discovery, Steve. I just love this spot– great that you know it. Thank you so much.
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I’ve been up and down the entire coast line of California, my favorite is probably Gualala up in Mendocino County. Went to Camp Gualala there, great times. It was a kids camp.
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It’s gorgeous up there! How fun that you went to camp there. We’ve stayed at Sea Ranch many times and that area is where I’ve made some of my favorite captures.
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Oh, wow. Please let me know which posts. After sharing my experiences there I tried to find some old photos of the camp but didn’t have much luck. It was such a long time ago, the camp is probably gone now.
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Aaah, the rock pools! If only we’d pause more often at the rock pools of life… we’d come away much more enriched… every time!! 😉
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love these photos. 🙂
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Thank you so much, Imelda. 🙂
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So many treasures in this gorgeous part of the world, beautiful shots Jane!
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It is astounding what’s right at our fingertips…or the end of our lens. So glad you enjoyed this special place, Patti. Thank you!
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Beautiful pictures of things that I have never seen.
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Hi Cecily- That’s the best and most rewarding for me. Thanks so much and great to hear from you. Hope all is well.
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How true that John Muir quote is! My favorite in this roster of photos is the structure of tiny clam houses with the sun neatly reflected in their pools. Wonderful! -Jesse
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Hi Jesse- I’m happy you enjoyed this post- thank you very much. The clam houses are amazing and I was quite pleased to catch the light in them. I appreciate your thoughts.
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So beautiful and nice text. ❤
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Thank you very much, Aras. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
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❤ 🙂
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It is not difficult to understand why this is one of your favourite spots; your photos say it all.
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Thanks, Paula. That’s so nice.
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Amazing texture and depth to these photos.
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Hi Mark– Thanks so much. I really enjoy shooting here- there’s such a variety of subjects and it’s exciting, too.
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I’m sure there are new and exciting finds each time a visit is made~ Great work again Jane!
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Yes! I imagine there are seasonal changes, as well. Happy you liked these, Cynthia. Thanks so much.
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Lovely photos, every one.
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I’m so glad you enjoyed these nature moments, Karen. Thank you.
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Absolutely stunning Jane!
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Thanks so much, Maria. Happy you liked these wonders of nature.
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Have never visited tidal pools before! I can only imagine all the marine life you can see! Great photos….
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Hello Linda– You would get lost in the small “dramas” that are occurring. It’s fascinating and I am happy you liked my walk through this coastal wonderland. Thank you very much!
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great shots…great quotes….hoping the area stays protected….beautiful!!
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April- What a special spot as so many of these coastal areas are. Hopefully, awareness helps. Thank you, friend.
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Amazing photos, long may the place be protected.
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Hi Paula, Yes, indeed. And many others like it. I’m really glad you liked this series, thank you.
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Taking a view at all these wonderful clicks made me flow into the time when you took those shots. Simply Outstanding Jane. Its great watching each of your clicks. Great Going. 🙂
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Ajanatadhar – Thank you for your kind words. I’m so pleased that an image can transport you to the place. That’s very satisfying. Your visit is much appreciated.
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Jane… my pleasure. Actually I have a habit of relating myself with situation that comes to my eyes. Be it an incident or photography or any movie … Somehow I can relate myself — you can say a kind of an emotional person I am….
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Jane … I wonder how you take such beautiful pictures … I adore your way of thinking about the subjects you click … simply like the amalgamation of the colors, strokes, angle and shots ….. Would like to know more about you and your idea of being into this hobby/profession….
It will be great knowing you Jane ….
Cheers Ajanta (Jaaz) ….
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Thanks so much, Jaaz.
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Thank You Jane 🙂
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Looks like a great spot Jane-beautifully captured.
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Hi T- Thank you! It is a wonderful little haven for natural wonders. Glad you enjoyed them.
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All your photos are lovely, but I particularly like the first two – sharp with beautiful colours.
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Hi Kathy– That means a lot, thanks so much. It’s a beautiful yet challenging place to photograph with the wind blowing and the waves rolling. Glad you enjoyed this series.
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Beautiful marine life and sea creatures, Jane. Simply stunning. Love the red kelp and the angle there – it look so lonely amidst the rock and I think it was happy to see you 🙂 I’ve never seen clam houses before, so that photo jumped out at me too. At first I thought you stumbled upon a big mass of cheese beside the water 😀
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Hi Mabel- I really appreciate your kind thoughts- thank you so much. The rocks with the holes are all over the place and kids love to find the ones that look like faces. This one sure did have a swiss cheese look. I’m happy you saw something new and enjoyed the colorful sea life.
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Stunning photography, Jane. Thank goodness you’re here… I would never know this existed! xo
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Hi Diane- Thank you! Isn’t it amazing that these spots are right near SF? Hope you get by there sometime.
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Love these, particularly the red kelp on the gray rock. What a brilliant world!
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Hi Patricia- Oh, I’m happy you liked the red kelp in particular– the contrast just hit me as I was stepping over that pool. Thanks so much for enjoying these moments of natural beauty!
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Thanks Jane, it’s an inspiring post – as John Muir says; one receives far more than he seeks!
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Hi Ian, Thanks so much. I’m glad this one hit home. Muir was an insightful man, wasn’t he?
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I like him a lot! He has a a way of capturing the essence of wildness and how that connects us to the infinite.
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Nice set of pictures. I also have a fondness of walking along tidal pools to see what is hidden in there…
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Hi Suzanne, It has a zen-like quality, doesn’t it? I get lost in it all. Thank you very much and happy treasure hunting!
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This is like another world you have brought to us Jane ~ beautiful photos and showing us this fragile part of the sea.
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Thanks so much, Randall. It is magical to see creatures and sea life like this and an important reminder, too. Happy you liked these.
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Really beautiful, Jane. And I really liked the John Muir quote about connectedness.
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Thank you, Sharon. Muir had beautiful and prescient insights. Glad you enjoyed this post.
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Loved exploring and experiencing this enchanting site with you! ❤️
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Hi Wendy– Such fun having shared interests and I was thrilled we had a fruitful walk. Thank you!
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Nature is just so breathtaking! These are gorgeous, Jane. Oh, the sea!!
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Hi Karen, Astounding when you come upon these miracles of nature, isn’t it? I’m very happy you enjoyed these images and I can imagine what you’d do with your lens. Thanks so much!
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Gorgeous collection of photographs – beauty all around this fragile marine life.
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Hi Mary– Happy you enjoyed the treasures I found. Thanks so much.
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