Landscape – Page 10 – Michael Stephen Wills Photography

Observations of Beach Erosion at Cocoa Beach, January 2024

Nature’s artistry unfolds on the shores of Cocoa Beach, where the ever-changing tides leave intricate patterns in the sand. This captivating display of erosion hints at a fragile coastline, urging us to act for its preservation.

May 5, 2024May 4, 2024 MichaelStephenWills12 Comments

Initial Observations

Standing on the sandy shore of Cocoa Beach in January 2024, I observe firsthand the effects of erosion along this stretch of Florida’s coastline. The scenes captured in my photographs show significant changes to the beach’s contours and composition. The shimmering foam, soft sand ripples, and exposed shells are testament to the relentless activity of the sea. Each wave carves away at the beach, leaving patterns in the sand that tell the story of erosion.

Erosion Patterns and Sea-Level Rise

The photographs vividly display the intricate, almost artistic designs formed by erosion. In one, the ripples in the sand reflect the movement of the water, indicating the direction and flow of the tides. The sea has steadily eaten away at the shoreline, pulling the sand away with each ebb and flow.

Studies show that Florida’s Atlantic coast is particularly susceptible to rising sea levels due to its low-lying nature. The Florida Climate Center notes that sea levels have been rising at an average rate of about 1 inch per decade, with projections estimating further acceleration. April 27, 2024 The Washington Post published, “Where Seas are Rising with Alarming Speed,” showing a map with Cape Canaveral / Cocoa Beach showing a 6 – 9 inch sea rise since 2010. This rise compounds the effects of erosion, causing beaches like Cocoa Beach to recede.

Impact on the Beach

I notice shelves of beach sand formerly above the tide now washed over by high tide. New channels forming, cutting across the sand with each tidal cycle. The erosion reveals underlying shell beds and deposits, hinting at the rapid loss of the finer, upper layers of sand. This accelerated erosion poses a significant risk to the stability of the coastal area.

The erosion is not just cosmetic. It impacts local ecosystems and property lines, potentially leading to habitat loss and increased vulnerability to storm surges. Coastal development also exacerbates the problem by interfering with natural sediment replenishment.

Reflections and Future Prospects

The view across the horizon, where the deep blue sea meets the sky, is a stark reminder of nature’s power and the urgent need for mitigation. As Florida’s beaches face the twin challenges of rising seas and intensifying storms, the communities here must find ways to adapt. Cocoa Beach is a vivid reminder of the coastal fragility and the importance of sustainable management practices.

From a personal perspective, seeing this change compels a deeper reflection on our relationship with nature. The beaches we walk on today may not be here for future generations unless we act decisively to combat climate change. Efforts to build resilience into coastal infrastructure and adopt environmentally friendly practices will play a critical role in preserving this natural beauty.

Conclusion

In summary, Cocoa Beach’s erosion is a direct consequence of rising sea levels and changing environmental conditions. The patterns etched in the sand speak of nature’s resilience and power, while also sounding an alarm about the future. As stewards of the coast, it is our responsibility to take meaningful actions that preserve these shores for generations to come.

References

“Florida’s Sea-Level Rise: The Science and the Solutions,” Florida Climate Center.

“Where seas are rising with alarming speed”, Washington Post, April 29, 2024.”

Copyright 2024 Michael Stephen Wills All Rights Reserved

224 Steps

Each wall is support for the next flight of stairs

May 3, 2024May 2, 2024 MichaelStephenWills1 Comment

The stairs are cut into a cliff, using switchbacks with landings and strategically placed benches.

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This work was accomplished by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930’s, during the Great Depression.

These shots were hand held. I used a Sony Alpha 700 dslr with a variable “zoom” lens, great for framing compositions.

Robert H. Treman New York State Park.

Click for macro slideshow.

Lower Lucifer Falls, early spring evening

Lucifer Falls with Hemlock Curtain — Lower Lucifer Falls, early spring evening

Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved Michael Stephen Wills

So Like A Christmas Tree

Icicles Catch The Light

May 2, 2024 MichaelStephenWills6 Comments

Approaching the Cliff Stair after a sudden April frost.

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Lucifer Falls in spring flood is a constant roar.

These shots were hand held. I used a Sony Alpha 700 dslr with a variable “zoom” lens, great for framing compositions.

Robert H. Treman New York State Park.

Click for macro slideshow.

Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved Michael Stephen Wills

Spring Outing X

Please give your opinions of this experiment, via comments. Thank You

May 1, 2024April 29, 2024 MichaelStephenWills13 Comments

Seconds after taking this shot, at f/4, I changed the f-stop to 29 and captured these blossoms with the environment in focus (yesterday’s posting). At f/4 focus is a challenge and I was not happy with the detail of the foreground blossom.

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I am in the experimentation phase of learning the new camera, so in spite of the 100% file size increase I turned on the Dual Pixel Raw feature. The two photos are from the same file. My impression is the adjustment improved the foreground flower details. Is it my imagination?

Click me for another Hepatica wildflower posting.

Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved Michael Stephen Wills

Spring Outing VIII

Sun catchers

April 29, 2024 MichaelStephenWills8 Comments

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Click me for another Hepatica wildflower posting.

Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved Michael Stephen Wills

Spring Outing VII

Groupings, 1 flora and 1 dangerous

April 28, 2024April 21, 2024 MichaelStephenWills20 Comments

Hepatica positioned perfectly above the trail, sprouting from moss, a grouping of the plant and flowers.

Scientific Name: Hepatica nobilis var. obtusa. I found the two land snail shells this session, I identified it as Neohelix albolabris, and positioned it in this shot to lend interest. In a future posting you will see the shell where it was found.

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Six unrelated young adults, all female and without masks, not following social distancing guidelines, passed as a group just before I set up for this shot. I heard them coming and made plenty of space between them and me. COVID-19 testing in Tompkins continues to find several positive cases each week.

Finding an appropriate combination of settings for this grouping was a puzzle. My goal was to bring the flowers and surrounding into focus with intermittent breezes. The f-stop needed to be high to accommodate the depth with minimal exposure duration as the flowers moved in the slightest breeze. The solution was a high ISO (2500) and f-stop (32), yielding a 1/3 second exposure (Not fast). The compromise was patiently waiting for a break in the breezes.

Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved Michael Stephen Wills

Spring Outing VI

Just opened wind-flowers

April 27, 2024April 21, 2024 MichaelStephenWills15 Comments

Just opened flowers on long hairy stems, tiny anemones. A crawl and tripod we needed to capture these. The scene scale is revealed by the dried leaves from last autumn.

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I call these anemones from the disputations among taxonomists. All agree there is some relationship and differ in the degree. Classifications add a designation “tribe” before genus (hepatica). Alternatively, the genus is designated Anemone instead of Hepatica . A common name for anemones is “wind-flower” for how the flower is sensitive to a slight breeze, on these long stems.

This is the first hepatica capture of the session. There was no breeze at this time and the ISO is 800, f-stop 29 (lending some definition of the background, less than I’d expect) and a relatively slow exposure of 1/4 second. The 100 mm macro lens on a tripod mounted camera.

Reference: Wikipedia article, “Hepatica.”

Spring Outing V

Wildflower Groupings

April 26, 2024April 21, 2024 MichaelStephenWills9 Comments

Red Trillium are early bloomers, along with Hepatica. I often photograph them together. Click me for a 2019 Red Trillium post of photographs from 2007 taken in Fillmore Glen Park.

Here we have two photographs from the end of the April 20, 2020 session. I finished a series of macro Hepatica and, tired (emotionally, not physically) and not wanting to step up the slope, captured the following grouping of a single Red Trillium, lit by a bolt of sunlight, White Hepatica, fern and the budding White Trillim from yesterday’s post. Not the same trillium, a continuation of all the individuals in bud.

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On the South Rim Trail of Robert H. Treman New York State Park. April 19, 2020.

These were 15 feet or so up the slope above the South Rim Trail. I used the 100 mm macro lens, with the spring breezes ISO set to 2500, f/5.6 for a 1/200 exposure.

Not far away, also upslope, was this flower grouping against a moss covered log. Park forestry leaves fallen trees in place to return to the soil. Camera settings are the same.

Both photographs were handheld.

Spring Outing IV

Turn to Light

April 25, 2024April 21, 2024 MichaelStephenWills10 Comments

Wildflowers flourished where the slope turned to the north and late afternoon light spread across the small ravine created by a small stream. This early in the season White Trillium buds were forming between three green bracts.

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The above photograph taken handheld with a variable zoom lens captures the plant and environment. On the forest floor is twig of hemlock, probably knocked off by squirrels feeding on the tiny cones. Oak leaves from last season frame the dark green bracts. We also see a few wintergreen leaves and the rich soil.

With the low light ISO is 2000, the f-stop of 5.6 allowed crisp details of the hemlock and wintergreen, the focus is soft on the oak leaves. Where is topography allowed sunlight, the White Trillium were a bit further along. Here is a bud opening.

Here I used a travel tripod and a macro lens with f-stop opened up to 3.2, not lens maximum, and all but the forward bract tip are in focus. A lower camera angle places surroundings in distance, allowing all to be blurred unrecognizable: the plant is the star of this shot. ISO 800 with the ample light. I was struggling with the spring breezes, having to wait for a break to take each exposure.

Spring Outing III

Red Pine on the level

April 24, 2024April 21, 2024 MichaelStephenWills4 Comments

One hundred and fifty feet in a series of steep climbs is the effort expended to reach the relatively level portion of South Rim Trail where the tall Red Pines briefly reign. Here the trees thrive on the northeast facing slope. They grow in this way in one other location, in the upper park, on an eponymous trail.

Encounters with groups of people descending always demanded I step off the trail to allow social distancing. Everyone work a flimsy face covering, although Governor Coumo’s order covers situations where social distancing is not possible. As of you, we do not have the loose masks; but only the N95 or a full respirator (both acquired very early on, our respirators were purchased for spreading lawn chemicals and spray painting).

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Red Pine (Pinus resinosa), also know as Norway Pine, shed pollen prolifically. Some Aprils my boots are covered with it, a dusting of yellow. Not today.

A species easy to spot among the green, an example of a shrub of the genus Gaultheria, though a very small specimen. The common name is wintergreen and I have never found larger specimens in Treman park. It is growing among the mosses on the wall of Enfield Glen South Rim.

Macro, Red Berry and Leaves of Wintergreen with unidentified moss

The tough wintergreen leaves endue the cold seasons, the name is synonymous with evergreen.

Both shots are handheld, the macro is from a 100 mm “macro” fixed focus lens. ISO 2500, the f-stop to be wide open at 2.8 to gather the sparse light and present the subjects, blurring the immediate background. The overview shot is also a high ISO, 2000, the f-stop 5.8 on a variable focus lens set to 60 mm.