The Daily Bucket is a regular feature of the Backyard Science group. It is a place to note any observations you have made of the world around you. Rain, sun, wind...insects, birds, flowers...meteorites, rocks...seasonal changes...all are worthy additions to the bucket. Please let us know what is going on around you in a comment. Include, as close as is comfortable for you, where you are located. Each note is a record that we can refer to in the future as we try to understand the patterns that are quietly unwinding around us.
September 14, 2015
Salish Sea, PNW
Late summer stormy waters in the Salish Sea...
This time out to the Sea Lion rocks we ran into an unexpectedly strong incoming tidal current combined with a southwest wind that picked up just then, amplifying the current. The surface water was going every which way, different depths affected by various forces, trying to get over hidden reefs, around rocks, through channels, waves colliding from different directions...what mariners call confused seas. Standing waves, choppy whitewater, and surf was breaking on the rocks. Our boat is a nicely solid heavy craft so we wouldn't capsize in these seas, but we sure do pitch and roll, and water sprays inside the cabin.
Elansa is not a speedboat, and can only manage 6 knots cruising speed with her 3-cylinder diesel engine. So with this current we began to get pushed backward as well as bounced around. Had to stay well away from the Rocks and eventually give up this time, turning around. Now going with the current, we were racing. It was pretty exciting. Most of my photos were out of focus or pointed in strange directions, but I managed a few, and straightened the horizon.
Enjoy the photos of confused seas, with bonus snoozing sea lions and birds wheeling in the wind...
Zoom lens is a must in such situations. Closer...
(All photos by me. In Lightbox...click to enlarge for best viewing pleasure)
Zooming in...
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On our way back to the bay, we had standing waves actually breaking around us even though the water is over 100 feet deep in this channel. I had to put away my camera for a while so it didn't get wet! And hang on :)
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(Sorry if you're reading this on your smartphone...small pictures don't show the drama as well!)
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All nature observations welcome in the comments. Reports from your natural neighborhood?
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