Sunday, February 8, 2015

Pt Bruce Beach

OK, so it's been very grey out lately.  But not last Thursday.  Bright blue sky.  Cold and windy though.  That's OK.  I've gone out in worse conditions, so I checked out of work on time.  A quick change into warm clothes and off to the beach. 

I got there and the sun was starting to set.  Its colours were warming nicely.  This image of the pier and lighthouse was made about 5 minutes after leaving the truck.  


Then, the reality of the weather set in.  The wind was causing my forehead and nose to burn.  My heavy gloves were no match for the cold.  While I could have operated my camera's controls with the gloves on, my fingers were so numb I couldn't feel the buttons.  

I was on the beach alone.  Just me, my camera and other people's footprints in the snow.  As I shuffled up one icy snow/ice dune my left leg fell out from under me. I was suddenly down to my crotch in a chasm.  My other knee was folded tight, like it hasn't been bent in over 10 years.  While I squatted there, I realized that I did have my cell phone in my pants pocket.  If needed, I could get it out.  I know there is a signal there (usually).  But, big but, my fingers were so cold I doubt whether my phone's screen would have reacted to their touch.  I hauled myself out of my hole.  Took this shot and shuffled back to my truck.  Total time out of the truck; about 20 minutes.  Total time of comfort out of the truck; none.  It's funny how some days we can handle the cold and say "Bring it on.  I'm ready for more".  Thursday, I guess, I was just tired.  But at least I went out and got two shots.  It's now more than two days later and my "bent" knee is still letting me know that it didn't like our little adventure.