Balboa Halloween

Gary and Diane Pugh are tucked safely behind their front window, looking out on their front porch where a Halloween horror hospital scene is featured on Balboa Island.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Peggy Rich casts a ghostly image in front of her elaborately decorated Balboa Island home. (The ghosting effect is achieved through a long exposure and an electronic flash)  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Happy ghosts circle above the home of Jim and Peggy Rich on Balboa Island. The Riches are one of dozens of families on the island who elaborately decorate their homes for Halloween.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

The grim reaper looms over a row of pumpkins on a Balboa Island pier outside the home of Jim and Peggy Rich. The Riches’ elaborate display on the pier and their home draws crowds of people along the seawall walkway.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Sonny Jones inspects a Halloween display he designed and installed on a Balboa Island pier outside the home of Jim and Peggy Rich. His elaborate display draws crowds along the seawall walkway.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

A jar of eyeballs on display at the Balboa Island Medical Clinic and Butcher scene in the frontyard of Gary and Diane Pugh.   (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

People stop to photograph and view the elaborately decorated Balboa Island home of Jim and Peggy Rich  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

A rubber mouse stands alongside painted cauliflower posing as brains at the Balboa Island Medical Clinic and Butcher scene in the frontyard of Gary and Diane Pugh.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)