A moment of sun creates a rainbow in waves crashing along the Oregon Coast.
A winter storm on the Oregon Coast is a sight to see. In fact, motels along the coast promote storm watching. Here’s one such pitch: “Sit back and relax in your cozy room by the fireplace and watch through your huge picture window as furious waves pound the rocks below.” And furious they are.
A storm was raging when I drove down the coast a few weeks ago. In between torrential rainfall, the sun would peek out, and I would stop to admire the crashing waves. I didn’t have a huge picture window, so I admired the waves as they were meant to be admired, up close and personal. Following are several photos I took.
Very few shows are as dramatic as ocean waves during a storm.
Rules numbers 1 and 2 when enjoying waves like these: Keep a distance, and never, never turn your back.
One of the best know spots for watching waves on the Oregon Coast is in the community of Depoe Bay where the ocean shoots through lava tubes and is thrown high into the sky through what is known as the Spouting Horns.
Another view of the Spouting Horns. I could almost see a ghostly face staring back at me.
And a third view.
The wave’s energy expended by crashing against the rocks, the water flows back into the ocean.
It’s known as the Devil’s Churn. Waves come driving in from the ocean and are forced up a narrow channel, turning the water into a frothy, whipped cream like texture.
A close up of Devil’s Churn showing the whip cream like texture of the waves.
The Churn at work.
A final view of the Devil’s Churn. Next blog: A hangar large enough to accommodate eight blimps in Tillamook, Oregon.
40 thoughts on “A Wild Ocean and Crashing Waves… The Oregon Coast”
gerard oosterman
One can watch crashing waves forever. Lovely shots Curt.
Curt Mekemson
Thanks, Gerard. And I am the same way. –Curt
cindy knoke
gorgeousness!
Curt Mekemson
Crashing waves are always good for dramatic photos, Cindy. Thanks. –Curt
Animalcouriers
The power and the glory! Wonderful shots – the first is almost like a painting.
Curt Mekemson
Wish I were a painter that could capture it, sigh. Guess I will just have to rely on my camera. 🙂 Curt
Oh, the Places We See
Great shots, Curt. Have put Depoe Bay on my list. And I love your advice: Never turn your back!
Curt Mekemson
Thanks. Depoe Bay, and the whole Oregon coast for that matter, is special. –Curt
valleygrail
Most dramatic place. The storms are spectacular!
Curt Mekemson
Yes indeed. A good Pacific storm always gets my heart racing. 🙂 –Curt
Bruce Thiesen
I see the face in the wave. Looking right into your camera.
Curt Mekemson
I’m always seeing faces in waves, clouds, rocks, etc. Is that a sign of a misspent youth at Berkeley, Bruce? 🙂 –Curt
Bruce Thiesen
A special edition bonus from back in the day Bay Area living. Gift that keeps on giving.
Curt Mekemson
One of several. laughing.
hillbillyzen13
Wow. Your photos really capture the unrestrained abandon of this powerful force of nature. Just awe-inspiring!
Curt Mekemson
Thanks! Glad to see you back. –Curt
hillbillyzen13
Thanks! It’s great to have access to your posts again!
Crystal M. Trulove
Those are some great captures! What an exciting coast.
Curt Mekemson
Yes it is. 🙂 One of the most exciting from my experience. And thanks. –Curt
hilarycustancegreen
Very satisfying series, made much more exciting, I’m sure, by actually being there. I particularly like the water draining back to the ocean over the rocks and the creamy lather in the Devil’s churn.
Curt Mekemson
The more unusual photos, Hilary, each telling its own story. And I have always been equally fascinated by the aftermath of the wave as I have been with its pounding power. –Curt
Bill
Great shots Curt. I love how you captured the rainbow in the first one. An angry ocean is an awesome thing. Capable of carving out those rock formations.
Curt Mekemson
Thanks Bill. The waves are relentless, and never give up on their job of carving out the coast line. –Curt
shoreacres
These photos are fantastic. We never see such sights on the Gulf Coast, of course — at least, not until a hurricane decides to slam into Galveston’s seawall. Of all the pleasures of the Pacific coast, I think the boundary between land and sea is the best, and you’ve captured some of its sights beautifully.
Curt Mekemson
Thanks Linda. I have always had a love affair with the coast line of the western US from Big Sur of California to the Olympic Peninsula of Washington. And I have wandered up and down it many, many times. –Curt
The Writing Waters Blog
Beautiful. Thank you.
Curt Mekemson
And you are very welcome. 🙂 –Curt
Browsing the Atlas
Oh my gosh. I think I want to live here!! I lives storms and the sea. Combining them? Nirvana! Thanks for sharing this. I just added it to my ever-growing list of places to see.
Curt Mekemson
Definitely worth the trip, whether it is storming or not. 🙂 –Curt
Dilip
Stunning and breathtaking pictures! Great share indeed.
Thanks and regards.
Curt Mekemson
And thanks to you, Dilip, for checking out my blog. –Curt
wisemonkeysabroad
Yet again you share amazing photos!! Look at the splash when those waves hit those rocks. Whoa!!
Curt Mekemson
Thanks guys. It was easy to get wet. 🙂
Sue Robbins
I love crashing waves on rocky coasts. I keep hinting to John that if we ever move I would like to go to one of those northern CA coastal towns.
Sue
Curt Mekemson
Good to hear from you, Sue. Me too! I’ve always love the north coast with its waves, wildlife, and unique communities. –Curt
Mustang.Koji
I saw a ghost too! But isn’t the power of the ocean incredible? And please share with us… How did you come to know never to turn your back on one? 🐵
Curt Mekemson
By getting soaked a few times. And worse, getting my camera wet. I’ve had three ghost experiences. The scariest was after my father passed away with lights and a faucet being switched on. I vacated the premises. 🙂 –Curt
Mustang.Koji
Yikes!!!! Heebie-jeebies!
evelyneholingue
Impressive and beautiful. I saw similar waves on the coast of Maine, in Acadia National Park particularly. I love that raw beauty.
Curt Mekemson
Me too, Evelyne. I can hang out and watch them roll in for hours. Thanks. I’ve been to Acadia a few times and really like the park. –Curt