Death Wish

Gallery: Man & NaturePosted February 20, 2017465 views8 comments

I have recently posted a few other images of our Oregon storms, and of this lighthouse in Crescent City, CA just south of us.
When I was there taking pictures in the last storm, unbelievably, this guy decided to see if he could walk on the jetty (about 6 feet wide) despite the huge waves.
When I saw him, I called the police. They were just arriving when he, in fact, was swept off the jetty into the ocean.
They were able to throw a rope to him and drag him in. He very likely would have drowned otherwise.

2017:02:09 12:52:37
D800
18-200mm @ 150mm
Digital zoom: 1.5x
1/1000 sec, f/10
Mode: Av
Metering: Multi-segment
ISO: 800
White balance: Auto
Flash: Off

Comments

8 comments

Comment posted by Ian Wolfenden on February 20, 2017 at 8:43 AM

At my first look I thought he must be surfing, Sandy ! Your storyline makes this even more compelling an image - a great example of getting the decisive moment but acting on the situation as well. I hope the guy was duly appreciative !

Registered on May 18, 2007, 1108 Posts, 7647 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Gavin on February 20, 2017 at 9:01 PM

Ian, you hope he was duly appreciative; I, however, hope he was duly punished and made to pay for the cost of his rescue. Sandy: great that you happened to be there when he took his stroll and were able to get a very fine photo. Were you able to shoot other photos of the rescue?

Registered on August 14, 2008, 293 Posts, 1250 Comments

Comment posted by Charlie VanTassel on February 20, 2017 at 10:52 PM

Pretty incredible, Sandy. You've earned your good karma for the year. devil

Registered on October 18, 2006, 644 Posts, 4801 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on February 20, 2017 at 11:41 PM

Jim no, no other pics after he was swept in. At that point, I left the camera in the car (pouring rain anyway) and grabbed my medical bag to go help. Nurse first, photographer second !
As far as I know, he is ok, and hopefully a lot wiser.
I don't know if he was simply stupid, or possibly not ok mentally.
S

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Gavin on February 21, 2017 at 8:42 PM

Sandy, As a friend of mine says in an appropriate situation: "Good on you!"

Registered on August 14, 2008, 293 Posts, 1250 Comments

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on February 23, 2017 at 12:39 PM

Lucky for him, you were there Sandy. Incredible image, incredibly risky behavior. Maybe he had a death wish.

Registered on January 4, 2009, 1015 Posts, 13229 Comments

Comment posted by Alberto Patiño on February 25, 2017 at 12:19 AM

Some people deserve to win the Darwin Award. I guess this guy only got the Honorable Mention thanks to you....great catch (pun intended).

Registered on December 2, 2014, 278 Posts, 1736 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Sandor on February 27, 2017 at 11:47 AM

Sandy: all I can say is great photo and Yipes!! what was this guy thinking?? Richard

Registered on January 12, 2014, 453 Posts, 1625 Comments