Monday, August 29, 2011

Irene and Lake Ontario

I knew that the brisk winds blowing directly across Lake Ontario, from North to South would result in some heavy wave action, so I went down to see.  I wasn't the only one, the beach was the most crowded I had ever seen it.  I wasn't disappointed.  There were huge whitecaps, as far as the eye could see.

No one, wisely, was venturing out on the pier.

The waves crashed against the shore.


Sometimes, a wave would hit the shore with such power that it would roll back out towards the water, only to crash against an incoming wave.  My camera was too slow to catch the full glory of the sight.  This is the closest that I got.  That upward spray of water, away from the shore, is the crash of the two waves.
But, still pictures can only capture the sight of these waves.  This short video will give you a better idea of the sound and the fury.  I love the way the wave rolls along the concrete abutment.
Today, it's sunny and calm.  You would, almost, never know that a major storm had just brushed by us.  The only sign of anything out of the ordinary is that there have been several of those huge military helicopters going by overhead, from West to East.  I wonder if they're going to help out in the parts of the Northeast that are experiencing heavy flooding? 

17 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

those were great. felt the power in both the pics and the video. :)

Stephanie said...

Great pictures! and I can see why no one was at the pier! LoL...

Sharon said...

Great pictures! Could almost feel the mist and the wind, in the video! Glad it was you out there taking pictures, you are better at it than I!

WiseAcre said...

I'm surprised no one was on the pier. There's usually someone in a crowd looking for a Darwin Award :)

Liesl said...

Stunning pictures Louise!! Thank you for sharing your experience of hurricane Irene with us!! Those waves are just magnificent...

Tina said...

WOW! Awesome pictures!

My Mind's Eye said...

OH MY STARS what amazing picutres...had I not known it was a lake I would have thought the ocean. Good riddance Irene and don't come back.

Thank you for you kind comments on my lantana. All I did was transplant it from a smaller pot to this larger one and keep it water. It has been one of the prettiest I've ever had and I'd love to keep it over the winter but am not sure how to do that.
I'd love some advice. The ones I seen wintering here are in the ground??!!
Hugs C

Sarah said...

wonderful pictures of the waves! I love the splash created by the waves crashing into each other off shore! And the precious two posts...how eery that no one was coming to visit your always busy feeders. Isn't it amazing how God takes care of his critters, giving them the instinct to know to take cover when the weather is going to be nasty? Really neat!

Judith said...

Great pictures Louise and I loved the video and the way the waves rolled along the abutment. Impressive!

jp@A Green Ridge said...

I never would have thought the waves could be so huge on a Lake!...:)JP

KB said...

Wow, those are amazing waves. The power of the storm is apparent in them!

Samantha said...

Absolutely gorgeous!
Some people forget the power of the Great Lakes, until...

Terry said...

Very fun to see the storm at a safe distance. Hope all the wildlife returns soon. They will be hungry!

Vicki Lane said...

Wonderful pictures! Thanks for braving the weather to take them!

North said...

Those are great pics!

Leontien said...

they probably did... (the choppers i mean)...

and i liked the pictures too although the are a bit dark (as in sad).

I didn't know about the helpmobiles. we do have those in Holland but they are in no way connected with the police!

those men were just mean!
Leontien

Unknown said...

Great captures!! I was born on the north side of that lake. I think it's hard for people to realise the size and power of the Gt. Lakes, and the fact that each one has its own quirks. The quirk of Lake Ontario is its square waves. Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.