A warm welcome to Beth, as she joins the Lens-Artists Challenge hosts with the challenge Stormy. Indeed, these are turbulent times in the USA and in many countries throughout the world. However, my post this week will focus on blustery weather that can happen in any season at Long Beach, WA, especially in winter and spring!

Gale force wind blasts spray off the tops of breakers as they surge ashore, and whips dune grass to-and-fro in front of me. Rain is in the clouds, and on a day like this it will soon be blowing horizontally, making umbrellas totally useless, and squall gear essential.

Storm-watching is an exciting activity along the Washington and Oregon coasts, where perigean spring tides create impressive and often dramatic wave action. When the ocean is this turbulent, I prefer to watch (and photograph) from our condo deck!

Skies like the one above bring to mind a line from Donovan’s song Starfish on the Toast: “Big cloud tumbling high, the amazing flying sky.”

This storm moved in so fast all I could do was snap a shot, cover my camera and head for home!

For the first time, this past February I was actually in Long Beach when it snowed! What a different sensation snow created. Here, clouds heavy with moisture droop across the horizon sometimes seeming to touch down upon the ocean.

On your walk with life, please honor our earth, encourage dignity and share kindness. 🐾

Congratulations to Beth as she takes on the responsibility of regularly hosting Lens-Artists challenges. It is a lot of work; first deciding on a theme, then providing explanations in words and photos, and then responding to all who participate! Here’s to you Beth, and to all our skillful Lens-Artists hosts!