Temperatures soared here in Seattle this week and I headed for Alki Beach Park to beat the startling heat. I was not alone; it seemed that half the population of Seattle descended upon this 2.5 mile stretch of park, beach and pebbles. There was barely a square inch of sand showing between the beach towels and umbrellas. I did manage, however, to get a few shots of sunbather-free pebble beach, looking across the water to the Space Needle.
Here are a few quieter beaches I’ve found on my travels. A lazy hazy summer evening on the beach overlooking Kailua Bay in Hawaii…
…stunning black sands along California’s Lost Coast…
…and last but not least, a beach I had all to myself for a glorious afternoon in New York’s Far Rockaways – I just adore the name, it sounds like something straight out of Peter Pan.
Now I know I’m not the only pebble on the beach – no one can resist taking seaside photos! If you would like to join in (everyone’s welcome!) here’s what to do:
- Create your own post and title it Travel theme: Beaches
- Include a link to this page in your post so others can find it too
- Get your post in by next Thursday, as the new travel theme comes out on Friday
- Don’t forget to subscribe to keep up to date on the latest weekly travel themes. Sign up via the email subscription link in the sidebar or RSS – if you’re already following on WordPress.com, remember I’m getting ready to switch website hosts so sign up for email or RSS to keep up to date on posts.
Let’s have a beach party!
xxx
Ailsa
Where's my backpack? 
Haha, was that after my benches mixup??? Love the Californian lost coast shot.
Haha, yes, it was, Mrs C – you and cinova are entirely to blame! Those black sands along the Lost Coast were just stunning, especially against the incredible green of the ocean. 🙂
Oh boy Ailsa, you’re in for a huge response with this one! Everybody loves to photograph their beach vacations! Since I live on an island and walk to our pristine “designated most beautiful beach in America”, ill be back for this one!!
Ooh, you have me on the edge of my seat, Tina, can’t wait to see the most beautiful beach in America! 🙂
Beaches … and endless horizons … the best for my soul. Lovely gallery – the Seattle Alki Beach Park is where I would love to sit this evening.
It’s really gorgeous during the week, viveka, but boy, it’s crowded on the weekends! 🙂
Okay …. I wait until Monday evening *smile
Love those colours in California Lost Coast…I’ll have to see what I can dig up…in amongst the World, his wife, kids, dog, Grandma! This’ll keep you busy!
oh boy, that does sound busy! 🙂
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A beach with a history of shipwrecks. A quite literal fin du monde.
Oooh, I can almost feel the ghosts of shipwrecks past, lovely shot, Ben!
Can we please have beaches, Part 2 next week, Ailsa?
Haha, maybe, if I can’t come up with a new theme, I’m busy wracking my brain now for the next one! Lovely shots, I can tell you’re a beach aficionado! That one of the umbrellas at Cala Vincente is wonderful!
looks like Alki! I vote for the CA beaches, no rocks, real sand….lol but ours are ok!!
Ah yes, those pebbles don’t make for the comfiest beaches to lay on! 🙂
I’ll boast that I live in a wonderful country for this theme…Portugal, small as it may be, has more than 8oo kms of Atlantic Coastline and the westerly point of Europe is at “Cabo da Roca”.
I posted some of my favorite photographs of beaches that range from some 100kms south of Lisbon to 100 north.
Ooh, how glorious, what an amazing array of beaches you have on your doorstep, I’m a little jealous! That shot of Comporta is stunning!
Just too nake you more jelous…the angle of the sun shades is me lying under one of them. It’s a gorgeous 45km coast line of sand dunes and cliffs just 45 kms south of Lisbon.
oh how heavenly, wish I was lying on that beach right now! 🙂
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Great photos! We visit Vero Beach FL often and have some great images from there — love the ocean! Here are my contributions for this week’s travel theme:
Lovely beach, Kari, what a great place to welcome the New Year! I love the name Pflugerville. 🙂
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Here’s a city centre beach in Portugal for you: http://juliedawnfox.com/2013/05/10/lisbons-new-river-beach/
What a great idea, Julie, it looks like a gorgeous spot to escape the hustle and bustle of a big city! Lovely photos. xxx
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What a perfect theme, with summer just around the corner. I am off to the beautiful beaches of the Bahamas:
http://ronmayhewphotography.wordpress.com/2013/05/10/the-beautiful-beaches-of-the-bahamas/
Take me with you, Ron, those beaches look glorious! That second one of the lone shell is stunning.
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Love the theme as well as your beautiful photos, Ailsa!
Here’s my long road in dunes: http://esengasvoice.wordpress.com/2013/05/10/travel-theme-beaches/
Ooh, what a lovely road, Ese – that shot of stormy Porto is wonderful. Looks a little chilly though!
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Once again an excellent theme, I love your low angle shot with the rocks in the foreground. For my pictures I chose some that we recently took in Cabo. I hope everyone enjoys them.
I’ve always wanted to go to Cabo – your photos are fantastic!
Thanks, It is a nice place to relax.
Ahh, Cabo looks amazing, Lyle, what a great place for a vacation! I love that third shot of the beach disappearing off into the distance. Makes me want to break out the Mojitos!
Beaches are an excellent choice, but I have far too many photographs, so it will be a difficult decision to pick out a few. I look forward to seeing everyone’s favourites too. One question – where is the lost coast of California? Is the black sand on one of the offshore islands?
Cheers,
Jude
The Lost Coast and that black sand beach are actually on the mainland, Jude – north of San Francisco in Humboldt and Mendocino counties. Here’s a link to the post I wrote about my trip there http://bit.ly/148vWl8 xxx Ailsa
Ah, that explains it – I have travelled the whole coast south from San Fran to San Diego, but not gone northwards – yet!! We almost did that last year, but went to Yosemite instead. Hard choice. I shall check out your trip, thank you.
Jude xx
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There’s something about beaches that makes you sit and stare. Lovely challenge, Ailsa, thank you so much. Your photos are beautiful.
Here are mine: http://drieskewrites.wordpress.com/2013/05/10/travel-theme-beaches/
CA’s Lost Coast is a world unto itself – beautiful.
The smooth pebble beaches of WA totally amazed me – those little rocks are so different from our sand. Cool
Someday, other beaches. Meanwhile, nice pictures!
Okay it’s time for a solo trip to a beautiful beach somewhere! Thanks for the inspiration!
What a fantastic gallery! Colours, light! I guess there might be a new record in entries…everyone just loves beaches!
I love Alki! I took my first scuba lessons there when I was 15.
Perfect! Awesome theme! Thank you Ailsa!!! 🙂
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Hi everybody !
Here my beaches…
Have a nice weekend
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Looking forward to seeing the deluge of entries! Well, here’s my offering: http://suejudd.com/2013/05/10/weekly-travel-theme-beaches/
I may be heading to the beach tomorrow but it’s really cold!
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A wonderful theme – can’t wait for some beach days! I love the shells in the Far Rockaway shot, but that black sands shot really is wonderful! Love the different colors and characters of each beach! Thanks for the inspiration… Here are mine: http://theretiringsort.com/2013/05/10/just-a-day-at-the-beach/
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I love Alki Beach. I’d never heard of that part of Seattle until we did a home exchange there a couple years ago and stayed in a house a block from the beach.
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This Florida girls love this theme!!! California’s black sand is stunning! SO many of these photos posted by other readers make me want to head out with a towel and sunscreen now! Here are my photos: http://wifewithbaggage.com/2013/05/10/travel-theme-beaches/
Excellent theme and some beautiful photos, very well captured… 🙂
The beach is my favorite thing, warm or cold.
Pingback: Travel theme: Beaches (Oregon Coast)
Beautiful beaches and great theme!
Here is my entry for this week. Hope you ENJOY!
http://www.ceephotography.com/2013/05/10/travel-theme-beaches-oregon-coast/
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i will surely have more than one post for this one! how can i NOT with so many great beach photos?!
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