Winter Storms on the Washington Coast
I’m soaked and my hands are getting numb despite my gloves and the rain poncho I’m wearing over my heavy coat. But the waves are spectacular as they come crashing into shore. It isn’t a king tide that can bring the really giant waves. It’s just a winter storm on the Washington Coast. High tide is nearly here, and I try to hold out a little longer to get a few more shots. Then in the distance I see the ships exiting the Columbia River, crossing the bar and entering the Pacific Ocean.
It’s a dangerous trek moving from the Columbia River to the Pacific Ocean. At one time the area was given the nickname “Graveyard of the Pacific” due to the many shipwrecks that occurred. A couple of jetties have been put in place to help ease the conditions, and a lighthouse was built to help navigate. Specially trained pilots help guide the ships safely through the passage, sometimes boarding the ships via helicopter.
The ships head out at slack tide – the point at lowest and highest tide when the water isn’t pulling in either direction. If you’re in Astoria, Oregon, you can see the ships lined up in the Columbia River waiting for the time to go. We had just reached high tide, and they could be seen one after the other heading out to sea.
Scott and I shared the view with a few other photographers but not the hundred or more that typically appear for the king tides. As always, I had one hand on my camera, the other on my tripod, and both eyes on the waves ready to move quickly if necessary. You never know when the waves will change direction or throw large objects like trees your way.
The only real hazard of the day though proved to be the wet, cold, rain. When we were done, I was ready for a hot shower and a bowl of soup. And an hour or two to look at my shots.
On to the next adventure.