Strongest storm in 37 years - Costa Brava - Spain (Catalonia)

[Adrian]

We've just experienced the strongest easterly storm in 37 years, with 4-7 meter waves battering the Costa Brava. There was lots of damage you can imagine.

I went out the first (strongest) day but it was hard to get good shots, it was pouring rain, there were 90 km gusts and tons of haze from sea spray in the air. I got soaked, my camera got soaked, but luckily it doesn't seem to have had any problems.

Anyway, I've set up a small website for the pictures taken, which was really alot of fun, and I couldn't have had a better Christmas present - Nature in all it's glory! The images were taken over three days, from the 26 to the 28th.

Costa Brava Storms - Dec. 26 - 28, 2008

 

[laminar]

Awesome pics, Adrian. Thanks for sharing. Love a good storm!

Pete

 

[Fondueset]

Beauty pics Adrian - you might be interested in my friend Jason's work - he uses HDR a lot.

Flickr: lomeranger's Photostream

 

[jay cluskey]

adrian your pictures are great...... again

 

[Spaniard]

Wow! La mar tiene una potencial sin limites! Great photos mate, that'll stop the freediving for a while :t

 

[Marwan]

Amazing pics senor! well done..

 

[hudasmt]

Como estas? Very Nice picts indeed!!!:friday

 

[island_sands]

Wow those are amazing! I never saw a storm like that before in L'Escala and we used to get some howlers. Fantastic photos mate

 

[podge]

Sweet shots there Adrian well done.

 

[fcallagy]

Great shots Adrian you should have been on a surf board

 

[Adrian]

Thanks folks, there's something so primeval about storms - I don't think anyone can remain indifferent.

Chris, I took a look at your friend's gallery -there are some very impressive images there. He handles HDR with style! I could learn a lot from him.

Yesterday the waves were just one meter - and still not a surfer to be seen!

Juan - definitely no freediving until the water clears up. If all goes well, a week or so.

 

[BatRay]

Gorgeous pics, Adrian. It amazes me how that old Greek port wall is still so solid. How old is it?

 

[Adrian]

It's very solid, it has lasted around 2500 years so far! The following link has a bit of history of the area. It was the first place the Phonecians settled in Spain and the Olympic Flame came ashore here for the Barcelona 1992 Games.

Livius Picture Archive: Emporiae (Ampurias)

 

[BatRay]

That's just beautiful, and it's amazing how well those mosaics still look. They really don't build 'em like they used to.

 

[RangerBob]

Cool amazing pics thanks, nothing beats seeing the ocean at work, did the band play right through the storm.....

 

[agbiv]

Enjoyed the pics! Shoot the fish as they blow by! :martial

 

[calliecal]

Lovely pics, great commentary to go with... Thanks!

 

[Adrian]

Thanks Calliecal! I'm also enjoying your shark comments

Al, last year there was a similar storm, much weaker though, but strong enough to break a bass farm out in the bay. Some friends caught somethingg like 60 kg of bass in an hour - and that was line fishing from shore. I don't know if the farm was repaired or not, but I should find out, because if it existed before, for sure it doesn't now!

 

[cdavis]

Wild stuff, thanks for posting.

Connor

 

[kelp princess]

Adrian these photos are great -you have a very good eye for composition - and i'm sure the first-hand vieiwing was even more amazing - thanks for sharing!

kp