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Monday 29 January 2018

After the surge

From this angle and distance it looks small.




This day it is the only familiar thing on this strand of beach which was ravaged by a recent storm surge. The gray sky and the muted January light of early afternoon add drama to the scene. A walk on the beach was not possible.





I have never been to this beach in winter. My husband and I usually visit spring to autumn.




However, the January thaw invited me outdoors after what has felt like months avoiding the bitter cold. It was good to be there in spite of my inability to walk along the strand.




An ice wall lines the shoreline now and salt water is trapped inside that wall. 




The combination of the water/ice and the pieces of ice from the bay thrown ashore by the storm, make walking treacherous. I wouldn’t walk on the Marram grass further in shore as it destroys the grass which helps prevent erosion.




This inlet is usually busy with fishing boats making their way to the fish plant and back to port. 





Boats are all ashore now as the bays, inlets and harbours are frozen. 




I will be eager to see the condition of the beach after the remainder of the winter. Meanwhile, the old lighthouse stands her ground, nestled behind the sand dunes. It is a comfort to see her in pristine condition, standing guard as usual.




38 comments:

DJan said...

It does look cold and rather inhospitable. Is there a bird on top of the lighthouse? I love the colorful buildings. :-)

Anvilcloud said...

I hope lighthouses like this stand for a long time.

Jane said...

I love walking on the beach. I love the freshness, the openness, the peace x

PerthDailyPhoto said...

Oh my that was quite a storm Marie! It's strange to see a familiar place look completely different, a bit disorienting really. Thank goodness for stalwart landmarks like lighthouses! When we have bad storms the beaches are awash with seaweed, I can't imagine all that ice!

Linda d said...

The lighthouse is gorgeous but something about the picture makes me feel a bit lonely. Beautiful.

Joanne Noragon said...

(O) That's mine. The shore is full of rocks. The grasses are beautiful, even in winter.

Catarina said...

All the pictures are great, but the last one is special. I can not stop looking at it.
I would not walk on those grounds either. Very treacherous.

Silver in AZ said...

Great photos, and I love lighthouses. :)

William Kendall said...

What a beautiful lighthouse!

Yes, that beach would be dangerous right about now.

Debbie said...

beautiful captures, there is something so peaceful about the beaches in winter. i don't mind the emptiness and the stark landscapes. the grasses become a pretty golden brown and i like that!!

that's a really pretty lighthouse!!!

Rhodesia said...

Lovely photos and I do love that lighthouse. Keep warm Diane

Bill said...

The beach looks cold and desolate but I like it. The lighthouse is very impressive and looks to be in great shape. It looks like there is a bird sitting atop the lighthouse.

Tabor said...

I think that your island is lovely in winter...thanks for sharing.

Stewart M said...

Thats so different to anything I see here - its just looks so cold - and I'm not sure that's really a bad thing!

Cheers - Stewart M - (back in) Melbourne

Marie Smith said...

Most of the lighthouses here have a similar device on the roofs. I thought it was a bird at first too. Not sure what it does though.

Marie Smith said...

Me too, AC.

Marie Smith said...

Beaches are among my favourite places on earth, Jane.

Marie Smith said...

I’d prefer seaweed to the ice, PDP.

Marie Smith said...

It is a starkly beautiful area, especially in winter, Linda.

Marie Smith said...

It had a beauty all its own, Joanne.

Marie Smith said...

I wouldn’t take any chances there, Catarina, especially since I was on my own.

Marie Smith said...

Me too, SW. thank you.

Marie Smith said...

It is a well photographed lighthouse, William.

Marie Smith said...

This beach was different from how I normally see it, Debbie.

Marie Smith said...

Thank you, Diane.

Marie Smith said...

No bird, Bill. Some unknown device on the roof.

Marie Smith said...

I wish I could experience more of the island in winter, Tabor. It’s been too cold.

Marie Smith said...

I’ve noticed some of the Australian temperatures lately, Stewart. Wish we could exchange some heat and cold!

ann @ studiohyde said...

Looks very cold, I can understand why you don’t venture there. Glad you did this time, as it’s nice to see the photos (says me sitting in my comfy chair with central heating keeping the house warm) LOL.

Marie Smith said...

I can picture how you would paint that scene, Ann.

Ginnie said...

I love the shape of the lighthouse ... very different than most that I've seen.

The Furry Gnome said...

Sure looks cold and wintry.

Marie Smith said...

It is a pretty one, Ginnie.

Marie Smith said...

It was, FG, though milder than most of the winter.

Down by the sea said...

It looks so different with the snow and that ice is so thick! Sarah x

Danielle L Zecher said...

It's so weird to me to think of ice on the beach. I've only been to beaches in the south (SC, GA, and FL), so an icy beach just isn't something I think of. Thanks for sharing the pictures. The lighthouse is gorgeous.

Marie Smith said...

Your beaches aren’t like this, Sarah.

Marie Smith said...

That lighthouse is a beauty, Danielle.