Waves breaking over the South Jetty
Today the national weather service’s forecast included the following warning:
...HIGH SURF ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT PST
TONIGHT FOR THE SOUTH WASHINGTON AND NORTH OREGON COAST...
A HIGH SURF ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT PST
TONIGHT FOR THE SOUTH WASHINGTON AND NORTH OREGON COAST.
* WAVES: WEST TO NORTHWEST SWELL OF AROUND 20 TO 21 FEET WITH
PERIODS AROUND 17 TO 18 SECONDS WILL CONTINUE TO IMPACT THE
WATERS THROUGH LATE THIS EVENING.
* TIMING: WAVE HEIGHTS PEAKING LATE THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING.
* IMPACTS: AVOID WALKING ON JETTIES...ROCKS...COASTAL CLIFFS AND
ALONG THE WATERS EDGE AS WAVES MAY RISE UNEXPECTEDLY AND SWEEP
YOU INTO TURBULENT AND FRIGID WATERS.
I am always looking for an opportunity to experience a good storm at the beach and this afternoon’s show didn’t fail to impress. When I arrived, the rain was driven by a thirty MPH wind. It was difficult to hold the camera steady while attempting to brace myself from the buffeting of the wind. Fortunately, it was a pretty mild afternoon temperature wise so I was able to capture over fifty images before becoming soaked to the bone.
A wave just before they crashed into the South Jetty
The beauty and power of the ocean is best experienced during a storm!
Behind the South Jetty looking south to the viewing platform
Technically, it was about about a half hour after sun rise but the sun was low in the sky. It was a very quiet time an the beach, I had the entire area to myself. The only sound you could hear were the waves crashing against the jetty.
Planning for the Halloween trick-or-treaters is always a dilemma. Who wants to be known as the only house in the neighborhood that ran out of candy. Surely not me! On the other hand, we have averaged less than twelve kids over the past ten years.
When I purchased candy this morning, I picked up a bag that will serve fifty. It’s always best to be prepared, you never know!
Water flooding the dunes behind the South Jetty
Today was the first day this month of what is known as the king tides. Wikipedia defines the king tides as follows: “a colloquial term for an especially high tide …… "King tide" is not a scientific term ….. Use of the term "king tide" originated in Australia, New Zealand and other Pacific nations to refer to an especially high tide that occurs only a few times per year. The term has now come to be used in British Columbia and the United States as well.”
The skies were overcast the majority of the day but I wanted to witness the flooding caused by the high tide. On a typical day, you could walk across the area shown in the picture and keep your feet warm and dry. This afternoon, the amount of area inundated by the high water was staggering.
Standing in the dunes at Fort Stevens State Park looking north
The morning began with a light breeze with the skies totally overcast. My plan for the day was to complete the last outside painting project of the season, but the weather forecast called for rain. Surprisingly, by early afternoon the clouds parted so I decided to head for the beach with the camera. Maybe the painting will be completed later this week, maybe not.
The skies at the beach were hazy; not exactly the most interesting light for photography. As I hiked through the dunes, I made a number of images and decided to share this one. Enjoy!
Sunset from the South Jetty
I love to watch the sun as it dips into the Pacific Ocean but in the summer months, the sun doesn’t set before 9 PM. Being more of an early morning person, that’s pretty late for me to be out and about. As fall progresses, the golden hour happens much earlier in the evening.
A recent post by Monte inspired me to grab the camera and make a trip to the beach to watch the setting sun. It was certainly worth the effort. Thanks Monte!!
Looking south to Seaside from the South Jetty as the setting sun paints the jetty and the beach
