Storm Surf and Rocky Headlands. © Copyright 2018 G Dan Mitchell – all rights reserved.
Late autumn storm surf and Big Sur headlands
I hear that when many people think of California they envision a beautiful summer day at the beach, with warm temperatures, bright sunshine, and benign surf. Aside from the fact that it is more likely to be foggy than sunny on a summer day along much of the California coastline, that vision is limited and it ignores what I regard as being the most impressive conditions along the coast, namely those found during the wet season extending from late autumn through the end of winter. It is at this time that I find the coast to be the most compelling and impressive, especially when giant Pacific storm fronts roll through and, when things work out just right, the surf can be large enough to be downright scary.
We had such conditions for a few days in mid-December. The local news casts warned people to stay away from the coast and off the beaches, since waves up to 40 feet high were expected. Smart Californians do stay of the beaches at times like this, but we certainly don’t stay away from the coast — and I headed straight over the upper Big Sur coastline to take it all in and make photographs. I’ve seen big surf here before, but as I walked out onto headlands above the rocky shoreline south of Carmel and the first beg set of waves came in, I’m pretty sure I gasped audibly as they piled up on the shoreline. The biggest waves come in sets of perhaps a half dozen or so, and they raise mist and spray that lingers along the headlands until the next set of big waves arrives.
Links to Articles, Sales and Licensing, my Sierra Nevada Fall Color book, Contact Information.
G Dan Mitchell is a California photographer and visual opportunist. His book, “California’s Fall Color: A Photographer’s Guide to Autumn in the Sierra” is available from Heyday Books and Amazon.
Blog | About | Flickr | Facebook | Email
All media © Copyright G Dan Mitchell and others as indicated. Any use requires advance permission from G Dan Mitchell.