Whenever I visit Lakeside, Ohio, I always head to the dock around sundown. Even if it is cloudy, I never know what to expect.
Two blocks from the shore, the sky looked promising for another spectacular sunset. When I reached the dock, however, I noted the thick cloud bank to the west. Given past experiences at Lakeside, the Chautauqua on Lake Erie, I hung around.
Part of my interest was in the crashing waves driven by a strong northwest wind. Lakeside is on the western end of the lake, where Erie’s waters are the shallowest. Consequently, strong winds play havoc with the water, causing continuous erosion to Lake Erie’s southern coast.
The dramatic show of the wild waves assaulting the cement dock distracted me from the setting sun. A break in the clouds, however, gave me a shot at capturing a sunset.
The sun peeked through an opening in the clouds and sent a crepuscular ray upward, where it illuminated a high cloud. The fury of the waves colliding with the dock created a mirror-like reflection of the evening’s sun.
It was a three-for-one sunset!
© Bruce Stambaugh 2024
Roadkill Crossing 
Didn’t Lakeside have a bid flood with damage a year or two ago?
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Donna Heatwole
Blue Ridge Threshold Choir
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Yes. Several nor’esters blew destructive waves against the shoreline, causing massive erosion. And heavy rains flooded basements.
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Wow! I love this photo!
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Thank you!
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You’re welcome!
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great to have your narration. I was wondering how the sun’s ray could be bent; thanks
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Brenda, thanks for asking. Because the sun was setting and the opening in the clouds was above the sun (by our perspective), the rays directly highlighted higher clouds. The reflection on the dock is from the sun peeking through the hole in the clouds. I hope this helps.
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