I had my sights set on December 24th, 2015. A very low tide was scheduled for late afternoon, promising lots of exposed beach and tidal pools, and at a perfect time.
But nature has its ways and it was an extremely windy afternoon, 30 mph coming from the north. My wife and daughter had come along for a good time, but quickly fled to the calm of the car. I stuck it out for 30 minutes. I had the beach to myself except for a small army of kite surfers and wind surfers.
I grabbed this shot just as a gull flew into a perfect spot for the composition. It seems to sum up a lifestyle not unique to Ventura county, but emblematic nonetheless. You can find it in Scenics/Seascapes.