Coast, Winds, Waves and Tides

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I bet everyone has been down to the coasts, when there are big wave actions where the waves or smashing over the rocks.  The action of the waves and the sea shape our coasts through erosion, transportation, and deposition.

One of the most significant force for coastal changes the power of the waves.  Waves are created by the wind blowing over the surface of the sea, which produce a swell in the water.  The wind energy rotates water particles inside the swell which moves the wave forward.  The strength on the wind, how long has the wind been blowing and how far is the wave traveled influences the size and energy of a wave.

Waves can be constructive or destructive.  When the wave breaks in the water is washed up onto the beach (swash), and when the water runs back down the beach (backwash).  Constructive waves swash is stronger than the back wash and the opposite is true for a destructive wave.  Constructive waves will drop the sand, rock particles and pebbles that it has been carring by a process known as deposition.

These processes are continuing all the time and what cause a beach to change its appearance even daily.

The pictures were taken. The other day when the waves were high and the video was taken with low constructive waves.

A Day at Gooseberry with My Great-Granddaughter

Standing on the causeway looking for birds

The first weekend of the month I great-granddaughter comes visiting and on Sunday, we took a route to gooseberry hoping to see snowy owls since she does like the larger birds. The causeway was still closed to cars, so we walked out to the island stopping to visualize some of the birds that were in the water. There was still some waves hitting the rock and splashing onto the causeway and I bet it was really great during the storm.

Female common goldeneye

Common loon

The family looking and photographing

We walked up the west side of the beach toward the towers. My great-granddaughter found a crab claw and remembered what it was called from a beach ramble we had taken her on during the summer. Abby is a water bug and had to stand in the surf and then after that decided she needed a play in the sand and the snow.

Abby playing in the snow and dirt

Abby checking out the surf

Abby on the beach

We reached the beach below the towers and still no signs of a snowy owl. The rocks were covered with sea ice in the waves was still splashing above them.

Waves crashing on the rocks

Sea ice on the rocks

Walking up to the towers, we decided to photograph to the graffiti.

Graffiti on the tower

Graffiti on the tower

Graffiti on the tower

Then my great-granddaughter photographed her father sitting on the steps. She even without asking posed her father and told him what she wanted him to do. She then took pictures, utilizing good technique and rear button focusing.

Abby posing her father

Abby photographing her father

Abby photographing her father

Abby's picture of her father

Abby's picture of her father

Add captionAbby's picture of her father

As it was starting to drizzle we then called it quits and slowly walked back down the island and across the causeway, with everybody having a good time. Taking children out to enjoy and learn about the natural world around us is better for them than sitting in front of the television or playing video games.

Thistle in the snow

Snow, rocks, with patterns

Snow and ice

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Surfing in Buzzards Bay

Riding the wave

An activity that you usually don't see in the waters off of Westport and Dartmouth is surfing. The other day, with the foggy weather, temperature in the 50s and the seas in Buzzards Bay running at least 6 feet high, there were a group of hardy souls surfing off the high point at Allens Pond. You just could make out their shapes in the fog. They were completely outfitted in wetsuits and were just waiting for the right wave to ride it in. I took these series of photographs and did adjust them in Lightroom so that you could observe the action. I spoke with one of the surfers who exclaimed this is a great day. And despite the fog it really was a great day

Screenshot of the original picture showing the histogram without any post-processing

Riding the wave. The above picture post processed. All these pictures were taken handheld utilizing ISO 100, 1/125 second, F/4.8, +1 E V

Riding the wave

Riding the wave

Riding the wave

Riding the wave

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Rainstorm and Wind

The weather forecast for today was heavy rains and on the South coast, a coastal flood advisory was issued by the National Weather Service around the time of high tide.  I had to drop off some information at the sanctuary, so I plan my visit for around a high tide, so that I could capture what was happening.  When I arrived at the entrance to Gooseberry Neck (still closed off because of the damage from previous storms), I parked and got out of the car and almost was blown over, the wind was blowing at probably 20 to 30 kn/hour.  The spray was coming in off the water and the waves were crashing into the rocks.  I set up my camera and tripod, keeping the tripod, low so it would present less of its profile to the wind.  I started taking pictures and then the rains came heavy the front lens of the camera in no time at all had raindrops and even though I cleaned the lens off, I still obtain some blurry pictures.  I did not stay up long, because of the rain.  I then traveled in the car, further down to the edge of the sanctuary property and photographed the angry sea through the car window.  Even though I ran the windshield wipers I still had raindrops on the car window and therefore on the photograph.

Center of the picture is blurry due to the rain

Fuel through my car window before I turned on the windshield wipers

The beach, the sea, waves viewed through my car window

Ocean Spray (Not the cranberries)

This blog besides showing some wild water is about protecting your gear. The other day We visited Sakonnet Point located in Little Compton Rhode Island, we went there initially to see what sea ducks that were in the area. Today was sunny, temperature right around freezing and we had winds up to 25 kn. There were waves crashing onto the rocks and spraying up over the land plus spray in the air. I decided to use my Tokina 10-17 mm fish-eye to encompass all the activity. I got set up and started taking pictures and despite trying to keep the lens clean I had water spots no matter what I did. In fact, at one point the wave hit so hard that it came up in the spray will hit me and all over the camera. I use a heavy-duty microfiber cloth to pat the water drops off the camera and lens. I then clean the lens, but it it became water spotted almost immediate. After I finished taken the pictures, I again patted the water off the camera and lens and then dried it. As soon as I arrived at home I brought the camera lens inside and utilized PUROSOL sport-Marine flat-panel screen & optical cleaner was recommended by LensRental) to completely remove any traces of salt that remained on the lens and camera. Purosol may be purchased from Amazon.com (See link below).

This is where not only my lens and camera but I also got sprayed