Images in this category are often Nor’easters - storms which develop along the east coast with winds typically coming from the northeast. They can occur at any time of year but are most frequent and violent between September and April. Nor’easters are not as strong as a hurricane but can come close- we have had wind gusts up to 75mph on Cape Ann during a Nor’easter during which my storm doors blew off the house and my great blue heron weathervane took flight! Wind and swells combine to make for some pretty spectacular wave formations of 20ft or more.

These images are dark and moody. The thick cloud cover doesn’t allow for the perception of color. Instead, the surf varies from white to shades of grey. Often sea foam forms due to the constant agitation of the phytoplankton. What these images lack in color they more than make up for in drama and detail- they are bigger, angrier waves that relentlessly pummel the coast for hours. I go out to photograph at peak during high tide if at all possible, unless I am hampered by rocks and boulders being thrown on shore!