Waves and a Southern Right Whale on the Apollo Bay Coast (Winter 2023)

Shorebreak at Hayley Point.

A couple of shots from reef level at Hayley Point looking up at the waves.

Big wave breaking offshore on Outer Henty Reef.

Henty Reef is about 3kms south east of Little Henty Reef. Locals often refer to it as Outer Henty Reef. I have heard from reliable sources that tow-in surfers have ridden this bombie. I have seen a jet ski with surfer and board on the back poking around this wave, but I have never seen it ridden.

It certainly looks rideable.

Three-shot sequence of large wave breaking on Little Henty Reef

Three-photo sequence (taken over 3 seconds) of a majestically cresting larger waving throwing out a lip as it reaches the shallower water over the reef

The emerald eye of this breaking wave seems particularly expressive in the moment captured.

A couple of smaller waves between bigger sets streaming white manes of spray

Three-photo sequence of wave breaking

Four seconds elapsed between taking the first and third shots in this sequence of three. The wave changed form dramatically during those four seconds.

White water defying gravity

Two shots of a breaking wave (taken 2 seconds apart)

A mesmerising heavy wave

The curtain of water that is simply falling vertically (just right of centre in the photo) caught my eye.

Southern Right Whale breaching off Skenes Creek (12 July 2023)

We spotted this whale breaching off Snapper Rock near Skenes Creek. It slowly headed south west and out to sea.

Gale force winds on the west coast

I took this photo from the edge of the Great Ocean Road in Apollo Bay, looking south. Little Henty Reef is the cause of the disturbed water in the distance. The breaking wave is the shorebreak on the northern end of Mounts Bay, in a very strong offshore wind. The Barham River is just below the dunes at the foot of this image. A north west wind approaching gale force was blowing at the time this photo and the one following were taken.

The Great Ocean Road runs along the foreshore beside this line of Cyprus trees in Apollo Bay. The beach is known locally as Tuxion. In this photo, just left of the tallest Cyprus tree, wooden steps leading down to Tuxion beach can be seen. Many of my ocean swims begin at this point. This photo was taken from the sand dunes near Wild Dog Creek in a very strong north west wind.

Magpie, photographer’s assistant, at Wild Dog Creek

Magpie reappearing after dashing around in the scrub near Wild Dog Creek. He likes to check every now and then that I am still in the vicinity. He cocked his head a little as shown and stood still until I told him he was a good boy (for checking in), without whistling or signalling him to come to me. That was his cue to dash off and continue his mission. Even when out of sight at such a location, he has never failed to promptly run to my feet in response to a single whistle. He’s a great companion.