Category Archives: Photography

Friday evening we stayed in the plain of Sharon with friends and former students. We had selected some sites north of there to visit today, but the weather forecast indicated that the weather would be bad. The forecast for the area around Tel Aviv looked better so we went to Caesarea Maritima. When we arrived there was some sun. I noticed the waves were much higher than I had ever seen and those crashing into the breakwater splashed high into the air.

The first photo shows the site of the Herodian harbor. I rented a wide angle lens for this trip to be able to make photos of this type.

Harbor at Caesarea Maritima with high waves. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Look carefully at the breakwater to the right of the building on the left of the photo. You will see the splash of the waves high above the breakwater. The next photo shows a closeup of the same area. The splash appear to almost touch the clouds.

High waves splashing against the breakwater. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Caesarea Maritima was a first century Roman capital and seaport. The gospel was first preached to the Gentiles here when Peter came from Joppa to Caesarea to tell Cornelius words by which he could be saved (Acts 10, 11).

Herod the Great built a city on the site of Strato’s Tower and named it Caesarea in honor of Caesar Augustus. It became a center of Roman provincial government in Judea. The city had a harbor and was located on the main caravan route between Tyre and Egypt. This city is called Caesarea Maritima (on the sea) to distinguish it from Caesarea Philippi.

The Apostle Paul used the harbor at Caesarea several times. He was imprisoned here for two years before departing for Rome (Acts 24:27; 27:1).

Friday morning I looked out the hotel window on the Sea of Galilee. First I noticed that it was clear — something for which I had been wishing. I also noticed that there were uncommonly high waves on the lake. The palm fronds were moving with the wind. By the time I made the photo below, as the sun was rising over the eastern hills, the waves were not at high. This photo may illustrate what I am talking about.

Sea of Galilee at Sunrise with a Little Storm. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

The next photo was made about noon from the same spot as the one at 6 a.m. At this time the sea is calm and fairly clear. Many who have taken a boat ride across the Sea of Galilee can attest to the calmness and quietness of the water.

Sea of Galilee from Ron Beach Hotel at noon. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

I was able to make a short video of the sea when the waves were higher and the wind was strong. Notice the sea gulls; you can even hear their call.

If there is any problem with the video, you should be able to go directly to it on YouTube here.

What is the explanation for such sudden storms on the sea? Notice the account given by Luke.

22 One day he got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side of the lake.” So they set out,  23 and as they sailed he fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water and were in danger.  24 And they went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging waves, and they ceased, and there was a calm.  25 He said to them, “Where is your faith?” And they were afraid, and they marveled, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?” (Luke 8:22-25 ESV)

Luke explains in verse 23 that “a windstorm came down on the lake.” Such storms are produced by winds from the west and northwest that come down into the basin where the Sea of Galilee is located. These storms often occur in the late afternoon when the cooler air comes down on the hot air in the basin.

Before we left the hotel we said something to one of the owners about the morning storm. He said, “It was only a little storm; not a big one.” I am sure that is correct, but it does illustrate how these storms happen.