Cape Perpetua, Heceta Head, and Other Things

May 6-11

Chose to drive south on 101 to see the coastal sites on our days off. Stopped at the Siuslaw National Forest to see the Devil's Churn (these sites never seem to be named Angel anything)

A crack that was filled in by a later lava flow

Cape Perpetua

Heceta Head Light House

Heceta Head residence for 2 Assistant Lighthouse Keepers and their families

Heceta Head Lighthouse has a rotating 1st order Fresnel lens that is on 24/7 versus "ours", Yaquina Head Lighthouse, which is a fixed 1st order Fresnel lens with a unique "signature" blinking pattern, also on 24/7.

Beautiful but invasive

Heceta Head Lighthouse looking south from the 101

Sea Lions congregating - these are all males since the females stay down in California

Had to stop here! A 45 foot sperm whale washed ashore here in November of 1970. After a few days the Oregon Highway Division decided to detonate explosives to get rid of the carcass, only managing to spread its bits all over 

Florence Bridge 

Oregon Dunes

Thursday we spent the bulk of the day at Hatfield Marine Science Center, a research and educational center operated by Oregon State University.

A Wolf eel

Gumboot chiton

Underside of a gumboot chiton, the largest of the chitons

And since the main brewery of Rogue beers was just down the street ...

Closed out the night by going to Lincoln City to watch short films on efforts towards accessibility in natural areas. The woman in the middle is one of "our" rangers, Taryn.

The presentation was held at the cultural arts center which also had an exhibit of fabric art bringing attention tho the issue of female genital-urinary fistulas and the devastating effect they have on the lives of women in Africa when untreated. On a more lighthearted note was this crocheted/knit whale

"Our" lighthouse with its signature 2 seconds on, 2 seconds off, 2 seconds on, 14 seconds off seen from Moolak Beach area 

Back to work, it was tie to relish the sites of Yaquina Head.

The wall of the quarry at Quarry Cove

Ochre sea stars (the correct terminology, not starfish like I had called them for 65 years)

Large red rock crab

Iridescent seaweed

A mossy chiton

This is the fish that Joe, a local volunteer at YHONA, caught - almost

Home sweet home, along with those of our co-host volunteers

Hikes, Friends, May Day Rally, Tidepools, and Beauty

April 29 - May 5

Our days off began with a dreary day but we got out to see the sea lions on sea lion dock in the Bayport section of Newport. A pelican floating by freaked them all out and they jumped into the water and complained loudly.

After that amusement we spent the afternoon playing pool at Rogue Bayfront Public House.

Wednesday we met up with former Kansas Citians Sara and Alan Barlow for a 3 mile hike on the Drift Creek Falls Trail.  It was a lovely trail with a hundred foot high suspension bridge giving a nice view of the waterfall. Better yet was the company.

Nature's artistry

Not only does Sara pick out cool places to hike, but she also produced homemade rhubarb crisp and whipped cream to top it at the end

Reluctant to end our time with the Barlow's I suggested we stop at Pelican Brewery for happy hour. The sandpipers were out in force.

Thursday Matthew and I stayed local and hiked the Mike Miller Trail in Newport.

Rhododendrons are in bloom everywhere here

Beautiful skunk cabbage

A rough skinned newt

I always find this sign a bit disturbing

We ended May Day with a rally in support of federal workers along the main thoroughfare in Newport. Our immediate supervisor was one of the cars that passed by and the show of support during such a difficult time for the staff here brought him to tears.

Back to work on Friday and had some amazing tidepool discoveries and more beauty at Yaquina Head.

Cool basalt formation 

Spawning male Giant Green Anemone

Female Giant Green Anemone releasing eggs (sand looking)

Mossy chiton

A Giant Green Anemone eating an approximately 15-18 inch ratfish.  The ratfish was already dead when it was captured by the anemone. It was devoured within 48 hours

Super low tide with wonderful tidepool exposure

Gooseneck barnacles

Paragliding off Communication Hill

Grey whale feeding off Cobble Beach

The first seal pup spotting - less than a day old