Yaquina Head is the finger on the map north of Newport.
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A US Fish & Wildlife Service Volunteer was stationed at the Interpretive Center with a spotting scope trained on a Peregrine Falcon nest. Unfortunatley, the bird wasn't in the nest at the time. At another viewpoint a volunteer had a scope trained on nesting Common Murres and the rock was thick with them.
There were Cormorants mixed in as well. The Murre lay their pear- shaped single egg on a rock while the Cormorants actually build a nest.
The volunteer also pointed out the Harbor Seals sleeping on the rocks below.
Cobble beach and tide pools.
Yaquina Lighthouse
Most of the rocks or cliffs were inhabited by nesting Cormorants or Murres.
Various sights around Yaquina Head.
Next it was back to the campground where we walked the trail north of the campground.
The vegetation was similar to that along the Spencer Creek Trail with huge Skunk Cabbage in all the moist and shady areas.
Beaver pond near the point the trail reenters the campground at the far end.
Rhododendron growing in one of the campsites.
It's amazing the difference a day makes in the campground. When we arrived it was full with family groups everywhere. As I said before by Sunday afternoon it was half full. This afternoon less than one in twenty sites were occupied. It was quiet, peaceful, and pleasant to be here enjoying it.
Spencer Creek as it flows under US 101 and into the ocean.
As is the case many times, memory of something is better than the current reality. The chowder at Gracie's Sea Hag was good but not nearly as good as I remember and not up to some of the best chowders I've had. Maybe my tastes have changed or maybe a different recipe is being used. It has been at least 20 years, after all......so, I will have to find a new favorite place for chowder.
Tonight I was anticipating a great sunset as there was no visible fog bank. At least there wasn't until near sundown and the distant fog bank was highlighted by the sun. We take what we get and appreciate it.
On Tuesday we go north to Cape Lookout State Park for three nights, new sights and things to do.
After reading your posts and seeing your photos I am so ready to take a trip to the coast. Your adventures look amazing. I'm wondering with the large number of people you speak of on the weekends if you have had reservations along the way?
ReplyDeleteWe made reservations well in advance so we could pick what we thought would be the best sites and have full hookups at almost all of the places.
DeleteSome of the places don't accept reservations so if you arrive early afternoon there isn't much of a problem finding a site. If you don't need hookups then you don't need reservations during the week and even on the weekends if you stop early.
Some of Oregon State Parks have a mix of full, partial (electric and water), or no hookups. Beverly Beach even had cable TV in their many of their full hookup sites.
Another reason for making reservations is if you need a deep site to accommodate truck and trailer.
Oregon Parks also have cabins or Yurts at most of their parks which is another option.
Some our favorite parks don't accept reservations but we only stayed at one of them this trip.
The pictures are sooo pretty! You look like you are having a great time...So does Sadie. What a fun adventure.
ReplyDeleteBe safe,
Jan H