Thursday night in Apollo Bay. Steady, welcome rain as viewed from my front door. Little hint of weather to come.The weather map for Friday confirmed that a tight low with an associated cold front and troughs had formed right over Victoria. The wind flows clockwise around a low pressure system in the southern hemisphere, and because the pressure is lowest in the centre of the system, in addition to flowing clockwise it flows at an angle across the isobars towards the centre. Thus, Cape Otway and Apollo Bay were right in line for strong southerly winds (isobars close together, greater pressure gradient = stronger wind). The air drawn to the Victorian coast was from deep in the Southern Ocean, unimpeded by Tasmania to the east. Meteorologists and Victorians like to say it comes directly from Antarctica. It certainly felt like it, and it certainly came from the very high southern latitudes.All those weather variables combined to put the Apollo Bay Golf Club wind indicator on this angle, as winds around 35 knots gusting to 55 knots lashed Apollo Bay from just before dawn. This flag normally stands perfectly straight.The Apollo Bay Harbour’s resident goose squadron was encountered cautiously taxying into wind, claiming priority over all other traffic. This was a brief pause in the road crossing exercise for reasons known only to them. All AB residents understand this right of way rule.The wind was literally blowing a gale as I stood on the dunes above the southern end of Marengo Beach. The first I saw of this flock of crested terns taking to the air was when they filled the viewfinder.When a flock of seabirds takes to the air, they generally do so as one in loose formation. The wind was so strong when this was taken, and so gusty in the lee of the adjacent headland that when these birds became airborne it looked as though someone had just thrown a couple of handfuls of them into the wild air. Each one seemed to hit a different gust as they wheeled and rose in the air. But at all times they were in perfect control, not just surviving these wild conditions, but revelling in them.A wild sea.Mountainous seas.The seals, as always, were cool.What is this!? A marine black hole? A gift from the gods to duck diving surfers and swimmers? (Near Little Henty Reef)The power and the glory (Point Bunbury, Apollo Bay)A lot of action for only two waves (with a fragment of a third wave just visible over the back near top right) (Little Henty Reef)I love this shot. (Point Bunbury, Apollo Bay)
Thanks Hunto. I didn’t do any rock hopping around the reef at Marengo Point for any of these shots with those seas – intentional swims remain my favorite type.
Pleased to know that the pin being blown to the angle shown would not have deterred you from teeing off.
South 
Another fine addition to the oeuvre John. It’s not even winter, but the wind chill blasts through those scenes.
You kept a respectful, lens-watchful distance from those roiling seas.
Golf anyone?
JMH
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Thanks Hunto. I didn’t do any rock hopping around the reef at Marengo Point for any of these shots with those seas – intentional swims remain my favorite type.
Pleased to know that the pin being blown to the angle shown would not have deterred you from teeing off.
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