January 6, 2020 Still living at the coast...

Higher than average high tides and some other factors, beyond my knowledge, have created enormous waves with waves that build on themselves to create "sneaker waves".  This will suddenly breach the boundaries that the tides had formerly obeyed.

Sound like a serious thriller movie?  Lol.  Well watching these waves from safety is an awe inspiring experience, getting caught in one...not so pleasant.

Here are some pics of these waves:

 

The sound of the waves moving the rocks is tremendous! It is like thunder.  The waves would change directions from coming straight at the shore to running parallel to the shore and flooding the area shown above.  There is so much water that floods into this area that when it recedes it creates waves which crash into the waves come in.

Thinking that I should be able to catch this on film, I found a safe spot.  Notice I am well away from the water line, up on a little hill.

 

This photo is zooming in just before I hit the video button.  You can above the waves starting to change direction and below them building up.

The video below shows my miscalculation.  Keep in mind that the camera was in a zoom setting as I was tracking the water from down shore to in front of me.

 

 

Fortunately there was a log perpendicular to the water that I was able to brace myself against was I got soaked and slightly pelted by small rocks.  My camera seemed to have died but revived the next day, yeah!! 

Further sights and scenes of the life at the beach:

 Sand Pipers have been gathering in large groups.  This group could be seen from far down the beach.

While most of the birds were napping there were a couple that just didn't want to nap.

So many little birds.  So peaceful...

 

Until something scares them. 

 Can you find the one little insomniac in this group.

This critter caught my attention with its wild feathers.  Not sure if this is the case with this bird, but when the Great Blue Heron starts breading it has shaggy plumes that form on the neck and back.  Quite the colorful birds when an opportunity to really examine them.

Another day...
Sperm whale are making their annual migration down to warmer waters in the South to give birth.  We have made several attempts to catch a glimpse.  A semi sunny day and a semi not.


While there was blue sky the mist in the air from the crashing waves made fro a hazy view.

Watching carefully that the waves were coming only so far as my companion snapped some shots.

The views were picturesque.

More beautiful shots.




Another day, storm waters were making it hard.  We tried another view point, but alas the whales were not giving us a peak.

The end of our day, still no whales but some beautiful skies and reflections.

 

The stormy seas continue, crabbing opened again and these little boats and stalwart sailors joined by seagulls are out in it.

The beaches are full of wood debris...

Whatever has attached itself too the wood that has landed on the beach has delighted the seagulls.

I saw this from a far off and could not make out what it could possibly be.  Trying to upload the picture came up with a lot of possibilities, like a bike helmet...well, pretty sure that isn't what it is. 

Finally happened up a picture entitled "Gooseneck Barnacle".  The long neck can grow to 31" long!  It seems that it is a tropical/ sub-tropical critter but can end up in cold waters because of currents.  Crazy!













Large piles of bull whip kelp are heeped on the beach, guessing this may cause an odoriferous experience in the next week. 

Well, in addition to the above was a "Bridge Out" sign, a corked bottle - no message inside, a splayed seal and an item that is not as yet identified.  Quite the adventure this beach life!