GHOSTS COME OUT AT NIGHT…

 

The Atlantic Ghost Crab!

If you head to the beach at night, there’s a good chance you’ll see ghost crabs foraging and scattering away from you.  This is a fascinating nocturnal animal that survives well in the harsh beach environment by escaping predators and the heat.  They live in burrows, tunneled into the sand on the beach and dunes.  The ghost crab can eat almost anything and can even filter the algae off of particles of sand!

These photos were taken at Huntington Beach State Park but you can find them all along our coast.

Just another reason to go to the beach in the evening!

Wonderful Things!

Everywhere you looked, through every nook and cranny, there were beautiful pieces.

Atalaya is the perfect setting for every medium. Treasures are hidden in the mazes of corridors and rooms inside and spread throughout the lovely courtyards. Here are some of my favorite booths and pieces, in no particular order. 

Ann Wallin Pottery

Her use of Raku is wonderful and adds to the shape and form, rater than detracts.  She is also delightful to talk with.  You can visit her website http://annwallinpottery.com/home.html  to learn about her techniques.

Nancy Adams

 What this lady can do with a simple gourd is unbelievable!  You can check out more of her work at http://nancypadams.com/

Graham  Lawing

Jamie Wickliffe

There’s a glimpse of my first day.  As my 7 year old son said, “There are so many beautiful things to see”! 

36th Annual Atalaya Arts & Crafts Festival

I don’t think there could be a better location for an arts festival than Atalaya Castle in Huntington Beach State Park.   The ruins of sculptress, Anna Hyatt Huntington’s, castle on the beach are beautiful in and of themselves.  It’s the perfect backdrop for the exhibitors and a lovely venue to stroll through.

This year’s exhibits ranged from painting, ceramics, glass, jewelry, wood, metal work, textiles, basketry and photography.  

The entertainment provided in the courtyard gave a nice chance to sit down and relax and the food was wonderful, as usual!

I’m going to cover a sample of the artists in a few of my future posts.  If you missed it this year, be sure to make plans to attend in 2012 for the 37th Annual Atalaya Arts and Crafts Festival!