Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Waves from Hurricane Earl

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Hurricanes in the Atlantic Ocean have been plentiful this year, as predicted. Fortunately, none have struck the U.S. mainland. But many states along the East Coast have felt some of their neater effects: the surf. Hurricane Earl passed 400 miles to the east of Florida, sending high waves to the shore Sept. 1 and 2. For the newspaper, I shot them before and after they peaked on Sept. 2 at 12 feet or so. Above, some tourists from Lithuania awaited a large wave on Sept. 1 near Minutemen Causeway in Cocoa Beach.

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On Sept. 2, a Carnival cruise ship sailed from Port Canaveral, as seen from Lori Wilson Park in Cocoa Beach.

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A shot down the length of the beach shows the turbulent surf, which presented a danger through rip currents and the waves' raw power.

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A Wallenius Wilhelmsen cargo ship left Port Canaveral in this view from Lori Wilson Park in Cocoa Beach.

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This 3-year-old, Summer, mimicked a crab for a good five minutes or so. Notice the crab's claws and her hands.

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Earl's waves crashed into 9-year-old Sebastian, who was styling on a boogie board at Shepard Park in Cocoa Beach.

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Another 3-year-old, Shamayen, falls from the pull of the ocean at Shepard Park in Cocoa Beach.

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A couple frolicked at Lori Wilson Park in Cocoa Beach.

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Some cousins from Orlando lounged on the sand at Shepard Park in Cocoa Beach.

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Most of the serious surfers chose the beach at Second Light at Patrick Air Force Base.

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A skilled surfer took advantage of the waning daylight at Second Light.

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The surfers I talked with said the conditions were rough and not conducive for beginners ...

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... but even the more experienced ones suffered serious wipeouts.

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Robert Fuentes, a surfer for 30 years, caught a wave late in the day at Second Light.

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