These 55 photos are our OC photographers’ favorites from August 2021

We asked our photographers to choose their favorite photos from August 2021, and here are some of the amazing moments they selected.

Even though summer ends on Sept. 22, it’s beginning to feel a little like fall around the OC.

Students returned to campuses, some for the first time since the pandemic began. Kids in Garden Grove were welcomed with teachers waving signs and youngsters in Anaheim were greeted to a brand new campus at Roosevelt Elementary School.

Homes along Capistrano Beach get pelted with waves during high tide in Dana Point, CA, on Thursday, August 19, 2021. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Nicole Thomas and her 5-year-old daughter, Cassidy, pay respects to the 13-service members who were killed in a suicide attack in Kabul. Ten of those members were from Camp Pendleton where they placed red and white flowers on Saturday, August 28, 2021. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Pedro Todaro of Brazil kicks up some water as he surfs in the Jack’s Surfboards Pro just south of the Huntington Beach Pier on Thursday, August 5, 2021 in Huntington Beach. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Despite nervousness about public speaking, Charles Wright appears pumped as he heads to the podium during the opening day celebration of Buena Esperanza in Anaheim on Monday, August 23, 2021. The converted motel is now permanent housing for homeless veterans like Wright, and others who are struggling. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Hundreds of surfers form a circle near the end of the Huntington Beach Pier during a paddle-out for Rick, Rockin’ Fig, Fignetti on Saturday, August 28, 2021 in Huntington Beach. Fignetti of Huntington Beach was a surfer, surf shop owner, and voice of surfing for many years and died on July 16 of a heart attack. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Leah Rae Dawson and Ken Von Rohr embrace during their 80th Westminster kindergarten class reunion in Mission Viejo on Tuesday, August 24, 2021. The(Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Knott’s Berry Farms Sierra Sidewinder takes thrill seekers for a spin at the theme park in Buena Park on Wednesday, July 28, 2021. The park is open and no longer requires reservations. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Jade Wiese Does a handstand on top of a new mural by Melissa Murphy at Pacific City in Huntington Beach, CA, on Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2021. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Jacy Sera, 23, is all smiles after receiving her 2020 diploma from Chapman University’s Schmid College of Science and Technology on Sunday, August 1, 2021. The school expects nearly 4,000 graduates will attend 2020 and 2021 commencement in the next two weekends. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Matt Hamilton throws a stone for Team USA during practice for the “Curling Night in America” competition at the Great Park Ice & Five Point Arena in Irvine, CA, on Tuesday, August 24, 2021. NBC is filming the competition on August 24-27, 2021. The seventh season of “Curling Night in America” includes teams from Canada, Germany, Denmark, and the United States. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Jackson McDow runs in the surf in Huntington Beach, CA on Monday, August 2, 2021. Jackson wanted to celebrate his 4th birthday at the beach. Water temperatures are hovering around 60 degrees, about 10 degrees colder than average for this time of year. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Gavin Lusby surfs in the NSSA West Coast Regionals held south of the Huntington Beach in Huntington Beach on Wednesday, August 25, 2021. The event brings out 300 competitors surfing for a spot at the NSSA Nationals in October. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Wayne Eggleston lowers the U.S. Flag to half mast at Park Semper Fi in San Clemente, CA, on Friday, Aug. 27, 2021. Eggleston is the former mayor and manages the park that sits on a bluff above the city’s pier. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Kids throw a frisbee as the sun sets at Calafia Beach in San Clemente, CA on Sunday, August 8, 2021. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Brothers Noah and Justin Molina, from left, fist bump after riding a wave at the pier in Huntington Beach, CA on Monday, August 2, 2021. Water temperatures are hovering around 60 degrees, about 10 degrees colder than average for this time of year. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Inmates at the Theo Lacy Facility works with dogs in Orange, CA, on Thursday, August 5, 2021. Orange County sheriff’s officials are showcasing a revived program for select inmates chosen to train dogs for adoption – The Canines Offering Life Lessons and Reward, or COLLAR. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A sign welcomes students back for their first day of classes at Tustin Ranch Elementary School in Tustin, CA on Wednesday, August 11, 2021. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Dena Melland, left, greets first grader Julie Rocha and she says goodbye to her mother, Michelle Rocha on the first day of instruction at Roosevelt Elementary School in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, August 12, 2021. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Gabriella Worrell, 4, looks through a hole in the gate as she watches her sister, Marjorie Worrell head to her second grade class on the first day of instruction at Roosevelt Elementary School in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, August 12, 2021. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Third-grade teacher Candace Ropp, left, welcomes students back for the first day of class at Stanford Elementary School in Garden Grove, CA on Monday, August 16, 2021. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Second-grade teacher Kelly Thompson hugs Lena Nguyen during the first day of class at Stanford Elementary School in Garden Grove, CA on Monday, August 16, 2021. Thompson was also Nguyen’s kindergarten teacher. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Teacher Wendy Billman gives a group hug to Eli Green, Jillian Houdek and Sophie Boyne, from left, during the first day of class at Laguna Niguel Elementary School in Laguna Niguel, CA on Tuesday, August 17, 2021. Billman taught the girls last year in 4th grade. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Chanel Fugnetti, right, daughter of Rick Fignetti, receives a hug after she spoke to hundreds of surfers and supporters as they gather for the celebration of life and paddle-out for her father, Rick, Rockin’ Fig, Fignetti on Saturday, August 28, 2021 in Huntington Beach. Fignetti of Huntington Beach was a surfer, surf shop owner, and voice of surfing for many years and died on July 16 of a heart attack. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
An old control tower sits next to the north blimp hangar at Tustin Legacy, the former site of the Tustin Marine Corps Air Station on Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2021, in Tustin, CA. In 1995, the county submitted an application to build a regional park in the area around the north hangar located in the Tustin Legacy. Since then, the county has not secured funding or laid concrete plans for the park, so the city council voted to remove the county regional park from the Tustin Legacy Reuse Plan/Specific Plan during its Wednesday meeting. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Football fans look on as the Los Angeles Chargers host the San Francisco 49ers for the first of two scrimmages during training camp for the 2021 season at Jack Hammett Sports Complex in Costa Mesa on Thursday, August 19, 2021, The two teams will play a preseason game on Sunday, August 19, 2021, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver #5 Joshua Palmer, left, makes his way down field as he is guarded by San Francisco 49ers #2 Jason Verrett, as the Chargers host the San Francisco 49ers for the first of two scrimmages during training camp for the 2021 season at Jack Hammett Sports Complex in Costa Mesa on Thursday, August 19, 2021, The two teams will play a preseason game on Sunday, August 19, 2021, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver #80 John Hurst, right, bobbles the ball as he is brought down by San Francisco 49ers defensive back #38 Deommodore Lenoir, left, as the Chargers host the San Francisco 49ers for the first of two scrimmages during training camp for the 2021 season at Jack Hammett Sports Complex in Costa Mesa on Thursday, August 19, 2021, The two teams will play a preseason game on Sunday, August 19, 2021, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Football fans watch the action from the stands as the Los Angeles Chargers host the San Francisco 49ers for the first of two scrimmages during training camp for the 2021 season at Jack Hammett Sports Complex in Costa Mesa on Thursday, August 19, 2021, The two teams will play a preseason game on Sunday, August 19, 2021, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Body surfers watch from a distance as a large wave crashes onshore at the Wedge in Newport Beach on Thursday, August 19, 2021, as a big swell from the southern hemisphere moves on to Orange County beaches. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Homes along Capistrano Beach get pelted with waves during high tide in Dana Point, CA, on Thursday, August 19, 2021. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Larry Elder, the leading GOP candidate for governor if California Governor Gavin Newsom is recalled on Sept. 14, speaks at a fundraiser and rally at a Newport Beach home on Saturday, August 21, 2021. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Debbie McGuire, director of the Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center in Huntington Beach, triages a sick duck before it is transported for treatment. It was removed from Aliso Creek in Lake Forest by Animal Services officers on Sunday, August 22, 2021. The duck later died. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Diego Oropez, 18, left, of Pasadena inserts a cylinder in to a Edison GEM cylinder player with assistance from Mike Sorter of Golden State Phonographs at the Antique Phonograph Society Antique Phonograph, Gramophone & Record EXPO at the UFCW Union hall in Buena Park on Sunday, August 22, 2021. It was Oropez’s first Edison GEM he’s ever purchased. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Brittany Liu, left, of Arcadia, laughs as her daughter, Dara Shao, places a wood spear tip horn from a Victor D phonograph over her head as they load the antique phonograph that her father purchased into the car at the Antique Phonograph Society Antique Phonograph, Gramophone & Record EXPO at the UFCW Union hall in Buena Park on Sunday, August 22, 2021. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ken Klein of 17th Street Grill takes the stage to demonstrate the stage in the new 40-seat jazz lounge, JoJo’s Hideaway, located inside the 17th St. Grill in Tustin on Monday, August 23, 2021. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Retired Army Sgt. First Class Christopher Braman smiles as he points to a tattoo of his wife’s name above an Army Ranger tattoo in his Orange County, CA, home on Monday, August 23, 2021. He is combat veteran of wars in the Gulf and the Balkans. The morning of 9/11, he was working as general’s aide in when terrorists crashed American Airlines Flight 77 into the Pentagon. Braman rescued a woman from her burning office and repeatedly returned to the building to attempt rescues and help retrieve the remains of 63 victims, suffering lifelong lung damage. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Animal Services Officers John Thompson, left, from Laguna Beach, and J.R. Stewart from Mission Viejo, get ready to transfer a female duck with a suspected case of botulism in Lake Forest on Sunday August 22, 2020. The duck later died at the Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center in Huntington Beach. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Bird’s Nest Beef Tartare in Tustin on Monday, August 23, 2021, features capers, shallots, Dijon mayo, Meyer lemon zest, radish, herbs, brioche bread. The dish is part of the new menu by Chef Roman Jiménez to be served in the new 40-seat jazz lounge JoJo’s Hideaway inside of the 17th St. Grill (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Chris Plys releases a stone for Team USA during practice for the “Curling Night in America” competition at the Great Park Ice & Five Point Arena in Irvine, CA, on Tuesday, August 24, 2021. NBC is filming the competition on August 24-27, 2021. The seventh season of “Curling Night in America” includes teams from Canada, Germany, Denmark, and the United States. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Brooke Pattschull (6) and Nicole Feliciano (30) of Aliso Niguel celebrate after scoring against Santa Margarita in a game at Aliso Niguel High in Aliso Viejo on Tuesday, August 24, 2021. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A mixture of Aliso Niguel and Santa Margarita students cheer and jeer during a girls volleyball game between Aliso Niguel vs. Santa Margarita at Aliso Niguel High in Aliso Viejo on Tuesday, August 24, 2021. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Nicki Blanchard, center, hits the ball as she plays with her grandchildren, Wesley Blanchard, left, and Samuel Blanchard, 4, and her son, Aaron Blanchard, right, at T-Street Beach in San Clemente, CA, on Friday, August 27, 2021. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Muralist Fernando Olivares, left, and Santa Ana Mayor Vicente Sarmiento, unveil a mural of Victoria Barrios, at the Blue Lot in Santa Ana on Saturday, August 28, 2021. Two years ago Barrios was killed in a drive-by shooting and the crime is still unsolved.(Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG).
Muralist Fernando Olivares, right, unveils artwork he created in memory of Victoria Barrios, at the Blue Lot in Santa Ana on Saturday, August 28, 2021. Two years ago Barrios was killed in a drive-by shooting and the crime is still unsolved.(Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG). Saturday, August 28, 2021. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Stephen Taylor Scarpa reacts while listening to opening statements in Orange County Superior Court in Santa Ana, CA on Monday, August 30, 2021. Scarpa is accused of second degree murder after striking and killing an off-duty Costa Mesa fire captain while allegedly driving under the influence. Mike Kreza, 44, was riding his bike along Alicia Parkway in Mission Viejo in 2018 when he was struck. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
DJ LeMahieu (26) of the Yankees and Jo Adell (7) of the Angels look to the umpire for the call after Adell slide into second base in the 4th inning during a game at Angel Stadium in Anaheim on Monday, August 30, 2021. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Jack Mayfield (9) of the Angels celebrates with Jared Walsh (20) and Max Stassi (33) after Mayfield hit a grand slam over the left field fence in the 4th inning in a game against Yankees at Angel Stadium in Anaheim on Monday, August 30, 2021. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
DJ LeMahieu (26) of the Yankees tags out of Juan Lagares (19) of the Angels at second after Lagares hit a single scoring Brandon Marsh (16) who was on third base giving the Angels the lead 8-7 in the 8th inning in a game at Angel Stadium in Anaheim on Monday, August 30, 2021. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Three-year-old Seneca Rojas plays under a parachute in Fullerton on Tuesday, August 31, 2021. She got to experience a rare occurrence earlier in the day: Rain. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Supporters of Tatiana Turner, a Long Beach activist charged with attempted murder for driving through a protest crowd in Yorba Linda last year, cheer as she leaves the Fullerton Courthouse during her preliminary hearing on Tuesday, August 31, 2021.(Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Servite running back Houston Thomas (20) dives over the goal line and Edison defender Cody Grbic to score the first touchdown of the game for Servite in Santa Ana on Friday, August 20, 2021. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Volunteer Melissa Ghadimian plants some of the 26,000 cabbage plants at the University of California’s South Coast Research and Extension Center in Irvine, CA on Tuesday, August 31, 2021. Second Harvest Food Bank is expecting to receive 40,000 pounds of cabbage a week starting in mid-November when the plants mature at the Harvest Solutions Farm. The South Coast REC has 45 acres that will be planted with a variety of crops. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Students make their way to class for the first day of school at Tustin Ranch Elementary School in Tustin, CA on Wednesday, August 11, 2021. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Surfers walk past a photo of Rick Fignetti following the celebration of life and paddle-out for Rick, Rockin’ Fig, Fignetti on Saturday, August 28, 2021 in Huntington Beach. Fignetti of Huntington Beach was a surfer, surf shop owner, and voice of surfing for many years and died on July 16 of a heart attack. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Hundreds of surfers splash the water off the end of the Huntington Beach Pier during celebration of life and paddle-out for Rick, Rockin’ Fig, Fignetti on Saturday, August 28, 2021 in Huntington Beach. Fignetti of Huntington Beach was a surfer, surf shop owner, and voice of surfing for many years, died on July 16 of a heart attack. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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Students also hit the waves as they competed in the West Coast National Scholastic Surfing Championships in Huntington Beach. The regional surf titles determines who moves on to compete at the 2021 NSSA National Championships, expected to be held Oct. 19-26 at the same location.

The same sand turned more somber as hundreds gathered for a touching tribute to honor Rick “Rockin’ Fig” Fignetti at the surf spot where for decades he could be found riding waves on the north side of the Huntington Beach Pier.

Friends, family and fans remembered Fignetti during a traditional paddle-out ceremony, forming a circle in the sea and splashing saltwater to the sky following a memorial on the sand where stories were shared about the longtime announcer considered the “voice of surfing,” a well-known contest emcee who also for two decades gave the surf report on KROQ in the morning.

Also along the beach, the moon and high tide combined to create winter-like surf that battered the coast in much of Orange County. Homes along Capistrano Beach were pelted with ocean waves for a few hours as crowds along the coast watched the water wash over the sea wall.

Football returned to high schools and the Chargers welcomed the San Francisco 49ers to a joint practice/scrimmage at their Costa Mesa training center before they took on each other at SoFi Stadium.

At the close of the month, flags were lowered to half-staff as we learned that 10 of the 13 service members killed in the Kabul terrorist attack were based at Camp Pendleton.

Nine Marines were part of the 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, and the sole Navy sailor killed was a corpsman who had been attached to the unit. All had deployed to the Middle East together in April as part of a special crisis response force. Due home later this fall, they were routed to the airport to help secure its perimeter as Americans and Afghan allies crowded to get to the planes and evacuate.

Enjoy the pictures and follow The Orange County Register on Facebook and Instagram. Here are our staff photographers’ individual pages: Paul Bersebach, Jeff Gritchen, Leonard Ortiz, Mark Rightmire, and Mindy Schauer.

Stay safe and stay healthy!