The drag of February dark pulled me from my desk, led me to the ocean. Pulled my shoulders from the ground and showed me smallness before the great.

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Creeping past the swelling tide of Middle Cove Beach to reach the cliffs and sit suspended high above the violently crashing waves. A sound like an elevator crashing when the massive waves fold; a brilliant arc of green cascading into the writhing white.

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People lined the beach, scampering back from each wave as it unfurled and reached out across the sand. I wandered through the trees, the enormous sounds of ocean filling my ears as my nose filled with presence of boreal. Each time the trees paused to show the sea far below, it was an even more halting view of the giant waves.

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Flecks of salty spray on my eyelashes. The healing breath of air that nature holds. The calmness that oceans give.

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ABOUT THIS ADVENTURE:

  1. Wave Watching is a neat creative competition, nay a sport, for photographers, who will flock to the scene and try and capture the day’s most innovative shot. Then we all run home to post them on twitter to see who gets the most popular shot that winds up in the news. It’s a very fun game, and keeps us on our toes creatively.
  2. This is also an amazing activity for non-photographers, because what better way is there to connect with nature than by watching it do something awe striking? What better way to connect with yourself?
  3. I watched from the start of the East Coast Trail on Middle Cove Beach. This was a great vantage point to see the waves while still being at a safe distance and height. As you hike around the headland, different areas of waves become visible.

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WHAT TO BRING ON THIS ADVENTURE:

  1. A camera. Any camera. A phone camera. You will want proof of what you’ve seen. Plus, it’s fun to join the above mentioned sport!
  2. Something waterproof to sit on, because you’ll probably be too awe-stricken to move for a little while and you’ll want to sit and watch.
  3. Maybe some binoculars. It’s basically the winter version of whale watching.

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FOR REAL ADVICE:

  1. Storm surges are wildly dangerous. Check out warnings on the government weather site, check out the twitter tag #nlwx and check out any potential warnings in your area.
  2. Stay up high. Don’t hang out down on the beach where the tide levels are unpredictable during periods of high waves. There are plently of high cliffs to watch from a little more safely. (Just, you know, watch out for the edge.)
  3. Know what a rogue wave is. Know when to get to higher ground. Place yourself in a smart location.

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