Shore Acres State Park ( Part 1 -the Ocean )

[Michael13]

Along Oregon's southern coast, about 15 miles west of Coos Bay, Shore Acres State Park is bordered to the North and South by Sunset Bay and Cape Arago State Parks. This is perhaps the best place on Oregon's coast to watch winter storms smash into the sandstone cliffs sending spray high into the air. Winter storm season (typically December-February) brings the most dramatic wave action. King Tides, which occur a few times each winter when the sun and moon align to create exceptionally high tides, can make wave watching even more spectacular, especially when they coincide with strong offshore storms. This is a great location for ocean watching year-round!

There are other attractions here, like gorgeous sandstone in a variety of shapes ... coming up in Part 2!

 

[DES]

Excellent photography -- and beautiful lighting!

 

[AlanLichty]

One of my favorite places along the OR coastline. The really big swell events bring in more than a handful of photographers but it takes just the right swell and wind direction to get the monsters Shore Acres is famous for. I have been there for quite a few heavy storms but have only been treated to the hard core monsters once. They are truly a sight to behold and completely envelope the sculpted sandstone I think you are going to feature in part II. I posted a short video of some big ones I got to see back in 2021 that show how far they come up onto the sandstone and why nothing is growing out on those rocks.

There is a nice little campground next to Sunset Bay State Park on the road into Shore Acres and Cape Arago with trails that follow the cliffs down to Shore Acres. I have stayed there quite often during the stormy winter months. I have to confess I have never tried long exposures of the waves - just fast shutter speeds. I like what you did with those shots.

 

[Michael13]

Excellent photography -- and beautiful lighting!

Thanks DES. F8 and be there.

One of my favorite places along the OR coastline. The really big swell events bring in more than a handful of photographers but it takes just the right swell and wind direction to get the monsters Shore Acres is famous for. I have been there for quite a few heavy storms but have only been treated to the hard core monsters once. They are truly a sight to behold and completely envelope the sculpted sandstone I think you are going to feature in part II. I posted a short video of some big ones I got to see back in 2021 that show how far they come up onto the sandstone and why nothing is growing out on those rocks.

There is a nice little campground next to Sunset Bay State Park on the road into Shore Acres and Cape Arago with trails that follow the cliffs down to Shore Acres. I have stayed there quite often during the stormy winter months. I have to confess I have never tried long exposures of the waves - just fast shutter speeds. I like what you did with those shots.

Thanks Alan. There are photographers out there who just don't use tripods. I think they are missing out, but it's their choice.

 

[JimFox]

Awesome Michael! Love this series! Another reason why I need to get back up to the Oregon coast!

 

[Peter Michal]

Amazing photos, great work, Michael! Excellent separation of rocks from water, great contrast and detail, beautiful colors.