Coastal Scenes: Blowholes

Lugging around a tripod on vacation can often seem more of a burden than a benefit. On this day I was out on the northern coast of Maui, Hawaii shooting the coastal beaches during low tide. 2 local residents where also on the beach taking the sights and sounds of the ocean and after talking to them for a couple of minutes they gave me a tip to head up the road and look for the Nakaele Blowhole.

The drive from Kapalua, around Nakalele Point and on to Wailuku is extraordinary. Nakalele Blowhole is the result of the ocean wearing away the shore below the lava shelf. With each wave, water is forced through a hole in the lava shelf resulting in the "eruption" of water similar to a geyser.
The "blowing" of the water varies dramatically depending on tide levels and wave action. High tide and strong surf result in the best effects.

For this blow out I waited for some 12 foot  rollers about 200 yards out to come in an waited about 7 seconds after they disappeared behind the rocks and then fired in burst mode to get a sequence of shots until i got the apex of the water being ejected 40 foot into the air.

 

Gear Used to take this shot: