A walk along the seashore is full of simple scenes, but when it comes to simplicity, frame of reference is everything, even on the beach. To illustrate, I picked a few photos with content that may challenge the notion of simplicity but feel simple to me.
Wet pebbles and cobbles belong in any beach-oriented simplicity collection. In the left-hand panel above, a stray strand of withered surfgrass distracts a little. On the right, a simple still life is so complicated.
Above, a California mussel shell is captivating, but the clean fine sand makes this scene for me. (The strands adhering to the shell’s surface are called byssus—threads mussels produce to attach to rocks and each other.)
The scene on the left features fundamental beach elements with such simplicity it had to be included. On the right, do you know your beach tracks?
It’s as simple as waiting at the bus stop.
Note: The header image and the first two photos were taken on June 20; the others are from July 6, 2023.
theoutershores 
Thank you so much, Steve Morey.
What a unique presentation of images for this challenge!
I love every click!
Love the pebbles and cobbles. Lovely colour contrast. Pebbles tell us stories of centuries of erosion and deposits.
What a texture of mussel! Captivating indeed!
The beach elements including the tracks and the misty mountains take us to a state of tranquillity.
Exemplary clicks!
Thank you for joining us for this challenge.
I couldn’t have done it without the ideas and suggestions you shared. (Those were very useful for me-I learned a lot.). So thanks to you! I also want to thank you for your thoughts on the images I selected. Great Challenge!
Could those be Bald Eagle tracks?
You’ve probbly seen more eagle tracks on the beach than me, Lindy. They have the look, and that’s my thought too. To make sure, I sent a different version of the photo (with a ruler for scale) out to some folks that know. That was just this morning and I haven’t heard back yet. If I get any feedback on our guesses I’ll let you know.
Lovely as always steve. Especially liked your closing image. Looking like the bus is a bit late!
Well, I like to think the bus is as regular as the tide (would that it were true, eh?), and what is true, like the tides, they wait for no person. The gulls don’t too often get to sit on those rocks, so they’re taking advantage as long as the tide will allow. That Paula Peralejo quote in your post is a great description of the powerful influence of worldview. Thanks!
Captivating images from a deserted beach.
Well, it was deserted in the early hours. Thank you!
Stellar look at your beach, Steve. I loved the beach elements so strategically placed by nature, yes. a necessary capture. And I think the prints are an eagle as well, with the talon marks.
Seagulls…lol. Waiting for the bus indeed, or maybe someones available lunch bag. Very nice.
Yeah, those gulls. I never get tired of watching them. And they watch me. Thank you so much!
Steve, I enjoyed reading your post! My favorites are the mussel shell with the byssus attached to it (I learned something new!) and the gulls at the bus stop.
Sylvia! I’m with you on those gulls at the bus stop. Thank you so much.
Beautiful entries for this challenge Steve. I love your detailed beach scenes and the bus stop was great!
Bus stop. All the way, Anne
Beautiful captures, Steven!
I had a hard time settling on simple. Thank you, Amy!
Beautiful, Steve. Love them all, but the last three ones really speak to me. The sand is wonderful.
I’m with you, all the way, Ann-Christine. Thank you!