“Endless seas of grasses wave and writhe in the wind, imitating the ocean just below; a dance of land and sea.” – Ed Lehming

Something that deeply resonated with me as I stood amidst the expansive, grass-filled plains above Estero Bluffs was the striking resemblance between the swaying of the grass and the adjacent ocean. It appeared as though the motion of the grass was an extension of the ocean’s own movement.

The grassy terrain is punctuated by apparent bare areas of rock and sand that, upon closer examination, reveal an abundance of low-lying wildflowers, as showcased in my previous post. It is a remarkably well-balanced ecosystem thriving in a challenging environment.

I was captivated by the grasses, which possess a notably distinct texture compared to the native grasses of my homeland. Furthermore, they made for a pleasing composition as the midday sunlight accentuated the green and yellow hues of the panicles.

As suggested by the photo title, this is Annual Beard-Grass or Annual Rabbitsfoot-Grass. Despite not being native, it has successfully established itself and dominates extensive areas along the Pacific coast of California. Its presence was noted by me at every stop we made.

iPhone 14 Pro Max back triple camera 24mm
1/4545 sec, f/1.78, ISO 80