You are blessed — big time — if you have seen the elusive “green flash” at sea just as the sun sets. It is a natural phenomenon, but a rare one in terms of how many people have seen it.
Some of us were talking about it the other evening as we told fishing stories and tales of our adventures at sea. In all my decades working at sea, I’ve seen the green flash twice, and I count myself lucky to have seen it that many times. Many old timers at sea have seen it, but many others never have.
Capt. Tiffany Vague, maker of Vague Rods, has seen it while working at sea, and our group conversation turned to how to artistically represent the green flash on a custom fishing rod. After that discussion, she has spent days working her craft to create a dazzling effect that old salts of the sea will appreciate. See the accompanying photo.
It helps to understand what the green flash is. Just at that moment when the last bit of the sun sinks below the watery horizon at sea, and only when the atmospheric conditions are just right, there is a momentary (split second) green flash where the sun just was, and the flash streaks across part of the horizon, changing to a wild blossom of bright colors, as only nature can dish up.
Funny thing is, I can’t begin to tell you how many times I’ve held up my phone or even more expensive video gear as the sun went down in hopes of capturing that elusive moment.
Thing is, if I’m looking through a lens, I’m not sure the coated optics are capable of accurately capturing that riot of colors. Perhaps only in the human eye, can this magic of nature play out in full splendor.
I have never seen the green flash from the shore or from a pier. Perhaps the nearshore air has too much moisture mixing because of wave action or air pollution and airborne dust from off the land. I don’t personally know anyone who has seen it from shore. I’d like to hear from any oil rig workers who have seen it from their work platforms.
Everyone I’ve personally known who has seen it was on a boat at the time. The sundowns when I’ve seen it were clear weather, not much wind, and a fairly flat ocean without big waves or whitecaps.
The next salty sailor’s experiences may differ, but we all feel genuinely blessed by Ma Nature to have witnessed the splendid spectacle. My sincere wish for you is that you get to see the green flash sometime in your lifetime. You will feel blessed.
— Capt. David Bacon operates WaveWalker Charters and is president of SOFTIN Inc., a nonprofit organization providing seafaring opportunities for those in need. Visit softininc.blogspot.com to learn more about the organization and how you can help. Click here to read previous columns. The opinions expressed are his own.
