Thursday, March 4, 2010

The Calm Between Storms


Last week, two Nor'easters slammed into the Maine coast, bringing 90 mph winds and 20-foot waves. The harsh weather uprooted 100 year-old trees and flooded much of the coastal area. Twelve hours separated the two storms and on Friday afternoon a group of close friends and I went to the coast to watch the waves crash in.

The crashing of the waves a half mile away blocked out the thudding of the car doors as we eagerly hopped out of the car and set off for the beach.

Cauldron.

Our Danners in action.

A pink haze floated around the beach like patchouli oil at a jam band festival in Vermont, making the thunder of the waves feel distant and nonthreatening.

There is something both endearing and dangerous about big storms. Nick dodging spray.

For hours we wandered around the abandoned park, captivated by the constant thundering of waves and the bright colors diffused by the humid air.

Spencer's Danners Mountain Light II boots, APC New Standards jeans, Seil Marschall backpack, and a Blistex wear mark.

I don't know if it's Hell or Heaven, but I am drawn to it none the less.

Spencer snapping an instant with his Polaroid 210 Land Camera.

White foam covered the beach, offering insight into the ferocity of the past storm and an idea of what the coming storm would offer.

As we left the beach, dark clouds covered the sun's light and a wind picked up. The imminence of the sideways rain falling from the heather-gray clouds off the Atlantic gave us purpose in the mile walk back to the car. As we headed home in the comfort of our car, jellybean sized raindrops started obscuring the windshield as the last rays of direct sunlight cut through the trees on the rural highway.

20 comments:

World Elephant said...

Gosh, these pictures have been amazing lately. Some true gems. Nice work, happy adventures, man.

Foster Huntington said...

I am glad you find my pictures and adventures relevant, thanks for the kind words,
foster

tintin said...

Nice work, man. I have a Polaroid 101 from my years in the adult entertainment business. Tell me, where are you cats finding the FILM?!

Foster Huntington said...

Tintin,
you were in the smug business? my friend spencer tells me that you can use fuji 100 film in the land cameras. thanks for the kind words,
foster

Casey said...

Foster,
Wow. Beautiful pics all the way through this site... Ever think about becoming a photojournalist?

Foster Huntington said...

Casey,
thanks for complement about the photos on my site. I haven't thought about being a photojournalist. It seems like a pretty bad lifestyle and not really the kind of stuff I like taking pictures of,
foster

Don Richman said...

That Blistex wear mark is amazing! I'm glad I'm not the only one who has a chapstick mark in his denim. Haha

Foster Huntington said...

Don,
the blistex addiction is wide spread. its like the chewing tabacoo tin wear mark of old,
foster

Frank said...

agree with ahip..your pics are more beautiful each time! truly inspirational! take care and best regards from umbria (italy)..Frank

Foster Huntington said...

Frank,
I am really glad you are seeing improvements in my photos. i have been spending more time composing shots and finding content than ever before.
Foster

Frank van Loon said...

if i may ask..what kind of camera do you use? i shoot with a simple digital camera but would love to buy something nice..Ciao!

Foster Huntington said...

Frank,
I use a canon 5d MArk II with the 24-105 f4.0 lens. i also use my iphone 3gs for some stuff also. DSLR's are great but a pain to carry everywhere,
Foster

Anonymous said...

nice images. too much brand love

Frank van Loon said...

nope..i think appreciation for quality & design..

Foster Huntington said...

frank,
thanks for sticking up for me haha,
foster

Anonymous said...

I've never really understoond Nor'easter. I mean I know what it is but I've never actually seen what it's about. These photos are cool, man.

Foster Huntington said...

thanks for the kind words des, nor'easters are wild. i have seen them hammer out 5 inches of rain and 40 inches of snow,
foster

Barekah said...

Hi Foster, I just wanted to tell you that I LOVE your blogs, read 1 and then couldn't stop. Your pics are AMAZING, your writing style(captions) are awesome, you have a great "voice" and being a lifelong Mainer- You have captured some of the best places in the state.(IMHO). I'm glad you had a great time and was able to see so much of our great state. I hope once you travel on to other places, you remember your time in Maine and come back often to visit!

Foster Huntington said...

Barekah,
I will never forget the time i have spent in maine. I have grown up here so much and learned so much about exploring, photography and people that i will always hold maine in very high regard. I cant tell you how much complements like yours mean to me. thanks for the kind words,
foster

Viagra Online said...

With the quantity of problems I have in my life in this mommnet, I need a place like that one to take a deep breath.
BTW, your camera is great, I need to get one.