Moonstone Reflections - Trinidad California

by Mike Lee

Title

Moonstone Reflections - Trinidad California

Artist

Mike Lee

Medium

Photograph - Digital Photography

Description

My wife and I visited Moonstone Beach near Trinidad in Humboldt County, California, to watch the sunset on a February evening. The sunset ultimately didn’t disappoint, but while waiting for it, I had a great time playing with these sandy reflections in my camera. This beautiful sandy beach has a very gradual gradient into the sea, so the surge from the waves slides a long way in before receding back out. It can form some fascinating patterns against the cliffs at the north end, and with the sun low in the afternoon sky, it creates stunning reflections in the wet sand.
If you get a chance to visit Moonstone Beach, I’d definitely recommend it. It is a stunning stretch of coastline known for its rugged beauty, tide pools, and unique sea-carved rock formations. Unlike its name suggests, moonstones are not commonly found here, but the beach is still a treasure trove of natural wonders.

Popular among surfers, photographers, and nature lovers, Moonstone Beach offers breathtaking views of offshore sea stacks, home to seabirds and harbor seals. The Little River flows into the ocean at the north end, creating a scenic estuary perfect for wildlife watching. During low tide, visitors can explore tide pools teeming with starfish, anemones, and small crabs.

The beach also holds cultural significance, once serving as a gathering place for the Yurok Tribe. Today, it remains a favorite spot for locals and travelers seeking tranquility, dramatic sunsets, and the soothing sound of crashing waves along California’s wild and scenic North Coast.

𝘈 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘱𝘪𝘦𝘤𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘰𝘤𝘦𝘢𝘯 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴, 𝘤𝘰𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘥𝘳𝘢𝘸𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘶𝘨𝘨𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘊𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘢’𝘴 𝘕𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘩 𝘊𝘰𝘢𝘴𝘵.

Uploaded

February 16th, 2025

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