Stormy Sea

Photo was taken in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. Although Sandy was not a particularly powerful storm in terms of wind, it was a very large storm in terms of area and it was the tidal surge which proved most destructive when the storm came close to shore causing much property damage especially in the coastal areas of northern New Jersey and flooding parts of the subway system in New York City. Happily, the storm passed the Virginia Capes further offshore moderating the damage. At the time this photo was taken the "eye" or center of the storm had actually passed by to the north of Virginia Beach. Thus, given the counterclockwise motion of the wind around the eye of the storm, the wind was actually at my back blowing from the west. At this stage then the effect of the wind was to hold back the ocean which probably accounts for the higher surf and the spray at the top of the breaking wave being blown out to sea as shown in the photo. View is a little to the south of east.

Submitted to the January, 2017 Contest Without Prize, theme "Sea-Mer-Meer-Mare-Tengar-Jura-Mar ..." as entry #25. Very similar photo previously posted @ www.panoramio.com/photo/81821044 with the title "Sand, Sea & Sky II".