20th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
A Freeze Frame of a Frozen A-Frame

In the foreground, blizzard-force wind had shaped waist deep snow drifts in the New Jersey sand dunes, with rippling texture in the snow resembling those in the sand of the Saharan dunes. In the background, cold offshore winds cast golden spray behind each breaking wave. The elements of an all-time day were there, and after trudging through the deep snow, all I had to do was wait for a good wave, stay warm, and time the shot. This picture was taken in 2022, following the first blizzard to hit the state of New Jersey since, 2019, with over 20 inches of snow falling along select beaches. The fading swell, cast in the morning light, made for a prolific morning of photography. Well worth the pre-dawn wakeup and icy 2 hour drive to the shore.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 01.2022
Date Uploaded: 11.2022
Photo Location: Long Beach Island, New Jersey, United States of America
Camera: NIKON D5100
Copyright: © Nathaniel Hawes