After checking out the Sunken Forest in Rye, I took the long way home and drove along the coastline. As I drove back, these awesome clouds continued to form and move over the ocean just off the shoreline – and when I got to one of my favorite spots, I had to stop to take a few shots. I never get sick of the natural beauty we get to enjoy here on New Hampshire’s seacoast.
Portsmouth isn’t the only seacoast locale with a working waterfront. On my way home from the Sunken Forest at Jenness Beach in Rye, I decided to take a few detours. One of my detours took me over towards Rye Harbor to see the working fishing vessels that call it their home.
With this winter’s intense storms along the New Hampshire coastline, the storied Sunken Forest of Rye has once again become visible. These trees used to be massive in diameter, and have been carbon dated to between 3,400 and 3,800 years old. I can only imagine what this part of the world looked like back then, when land may have stretched out to the Isles of Shoals in the distance. I found some interesting information on Wikipedia here, and a quick google search will bring up others’ articles from past times they’ve become visible.
As the weather forecast calls for more “wintry mix” and March is just around the corner, it’s important to remember that summer will be back here in the seacoast someday. It’s almost hard to imagine with all the snow and salty slush still on the ground that it ever gets warm enough to enjoy a dip in the ocean here in New Hampshire.
Sometimes I have to remind myself that more exciting weather and conditions are on their way, despite my love and appreciation for winter. This shot was taken at sunset in Rye, New Hampshire at Pirate’s Cove beach. No matter what the season, I always love visiting this little slice of oceanfront thanks to its accessibility, beauty, and horizon.
One of the benefits of the changing seasons is the movement of light. The sun sets at a different angle in the winter than in the summer, and on this particular evening, the horizon was light with the last rays of the day’s sunlight in a way that perfectly complimented the shoreline. The cool and crisp air helped to bring atmosphere into the shot with the different tones of color in the sky.
A chilly drive along the coast rewarded us with some beautiful seascape shots this weekend. The wind was so strong that each of the waves gave off a head of mist as it began to break rolling towards the coastline. I love this shot as the freighter is hiding out in the background on the horizon, just before it made its way up the Piscataqua to unload.
Along the coast in Rye, New Hampshire on the course at Wentworth By The Sea Country Club. I’ve always loved this tree and the view of the Wentworth Marina.
