Winter at the Well

AlanLichty

AlanLichty

Moderator
There is a popular photo destination along the Oregon coast at Cape Perpetual named Thor's Well. I have stopped to shoot there in all kinds of conditions but the most dramatic are usually during the stormy winter months. This is a shot from a number of years ago in between December storms with some fairly large swells that almost engulfs the basalt shelf where Thor's Well sits. I will be headed down there next week and may see storm surf as high or higher depending on whether the weather folks are right about the storms that are coming.

CP-WinterWell120915.jpg


C&C always welcome.
 
AlanLichty

AlanLichty

Moderator
Eric Gofreed said:
Capturing the relentless force of the ocean in a photograph is worthy of a standing ovation. I am now standing and clapping.
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Thanks Eric - shooting storm surf is one of my favorite pastimes since moving up to the PNW 25 years ago and only matched by shooting waterfalls. I am overcompensating after growing up in the desert 😁
 
JimFox

JimFox

Moderator
Staff member
Very cool Alan! Thor's Well is really such a fun and cool place, while also being extremely dangerous. I am sure you can recount more stories then me, but every time I have been there, I have seen multiple people do really stupid things there with being totally unaware of the power of the water. Fortunately the worst I have seen is a few knocked over people, most usually just have gotten soaked by a "surprise" wave.

I look forward to seeing what you capture. You haven't been on the road much this year, so I bet you are really looking forward to getting out and about.
 
AlanLichty

AlanLichty

Moderator
JimFox said:
Very cool Alan! Thor's Well is really such a fun and cool place, while also being extremely dangerous. I am sure you can recount more stories then me, but every time I have been there, I have seen multiple people do really stupid things there with being totally unaware of the power of the water. Fortunately the worst I have seen is a few knocked over people, most usually just have gotten soaked by a "surprise" wave.

I look forward to seeing what you capture. You haven't been on the road much this year, so I bet you are really looking forward to getting out and about.
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Thanks Jim - you are absolutely correct about this place attracting tourons (tourist morons) in droves. I have not seen anyone get dragged out to sea but have certainly seen some amazing examples of idiocy at this place. The rock faces of the basalt shelf are incredibly sharp so you don't want to lose your balance and really don't want to have the ocean have its way with you.

Looking forward to getting out is an understatement. The last time I got to go anywhere was a year ago with a trip to Florence.
 
BlackRockArt

BlackRockArt

Staff
AlanLichty said:
There is a popular photo destination along the Oregon coast at Cape Perpetual named Thor's Well. I have stopped to shoot there in all kinds of conditions but the most dramatic are usually during the stormy winter months. This is a shot from a number of years ago in between December storms with some fairly large swells that almost engulfs the basalt shelf where Thor's Well sits. I will be headed down there next week and may see storm surf as high or higher depending on whether the weather folks are right about the storms that are coming.

View attachment 66391

C&C always welcome.
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Alan, this spot is a great location for sunset, just gotta watch the footing.

Oliver
 
AlanLichty

AlanLichty

Moderator
BlackRockArt said:
Alan, this spot is a great location for sunset, just gotta watch the footing.

Oliver
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Thanks Oliver - I have shot several thousand photos around Cape Perpetual over the years and know this spot quite well. During the winter months getting close to the edge of the well can be quite hazardous. Best bet is to shoot with a long lens from the Captain Cook Trail above the basalt ledge.
 
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