Cardiff Morning Glass Redux

By June 22, 2008Surf

I got out early again this morning and swam out at Cardiff just north of Seaside Reef. For the most part the size had dropped off but it was still warm, glassy, not a speck of wind and sunny at 6:30am. Once again I had a huge stretch of water to myself, only a few guys out at Seaside and the usual crowd at Cardiff Reef. The sets were inconsistent and there was a lot of waiting around. A harbor seal was swimming around near me for a while, and squadrons of pelicans cruised by all morning. It was so still for the first hour that I could hear that soft sound of water ripping along the lip just as each wave would crest before folding over. The extreme low tide at dawn was helping the waves feel the sandbars and kick up. By 8 the tide has risen enough that all the juice was gone and it went flat. Beautiful but flat. I swam around for another hour picking off a few more sporadic set waves. I left at 9 only to watch Italy lose to Spain. I think this swell is done.

Cresting wave, morning light, glassy water, surf, Cardiff by the Sea, California

Cresting wave, morning light, glassy water, surf.
Image ID: 20811
Location: Cardiff by the Sea, California, USA

Cresting wave, morning light, glassy water, surf, Cardiff by the Sea, California

Cresting wave, morning light, glassy water, surf.
Image ID: 20812
Location: Cardiff by the Sea, California, USA

Cresting wave, morning light, glassy water, surf, Cardiff by the Sea, California

Cresting wave, morning light, glassy water, surf.
Image ID: 20815
Location: Cardiff by the Sea, California, USA

About Phil Colla

I am a natural history photographer. I enjoy making compelling images in the ocean, on land, and in the air. I have maintained the Natural History Photography blog since 2005 and my searchable Natural History Photography Library since 1997. Here are some tear sheets and behind the scenes views. Thanks for looking!