The cold has managed to get a lot of attention for many reasons, many of them not terrific. One item, however, that seems to be quite popular is the daily sea smoke performances that occur on every waterway along the coast and presumably offshore.

The shows have been quite magnificent as can be seen by the many posting on social media. One might have been said, back in the day, “People are really getting smoked up!”

Recently, after attending to a mission in East Boothbay, the thought of smoke drew me to Ocean Point. A great place to see the sea, no matter what the season.

At the Grimes Cove corner cars were lined up along the shore considering activity offshore toward Ram Island which was barely visible. It looked like a pot of boiling water steaming over the edges of the shore as winds swept in, stirring swirling wisps to rise and blend above the water. It was fascinating to watch.

I made a few photographs from my reluctantly warming old VW diesel, practically dislodging the power window as it wound down. My next stop by Wilson Chapel revealed even more dramatic views as the sun was setting. That’s where today’s image was made. Right into the sun.

Lots of flare when going into the sun like this. Even more with the sea smoke vapor floating about. Our newer camera lenses are more adept at minimizing flare with better coatings and new lens construction. My older lenses would have laughed at me and given up. But I have always enjoyed flying too close to the sun. Can be very dramatic.

Walkers at the Point were well bundled up for protection from the cold. In fact, the folks I saw trudging along looked other worldly, almost robotic. Brightly colored stick figures out for a leisurely stroll in the arctic tropical air!

But it was great smoke.