A Whale of a Day

Hi All,

Today we were back to work with few seabirds in sight. At about 1:30 we noticed something swimming offshore and it turned out to be a pod of Orcas or "killer whales". They stayed in the same area for over an hour apparently feeding on a school of fish. We saw one big male with a very tall dorsal fin. We also saw about 6 females/juveniles. They would occasionally breach, jumping clear out of the water. It was very exciting and we got to show them to a few lucky visitors.

After work we met another volunteer couple, Art and Janette Carr, in Yachats 12 miles north of the campground. We had a delicious fresh seafood dinner then walked along the ocean path as the sun went down. Quite close offshore we spotted 2 or 3 gray whales and they stayed in the area for the whole time. The surf was pounding and splashing on the rocks and the whales were spouting; it was hard to know where to look first.

Love
Sandy & Carl

Photographed and sent from Carl's iPhone

A distant shot of a fast moving orca. Still you can see the gray "saddle patch" behind the dorsal fin.

Gray whale spout beyond the surf

Flowers at the edge of the surf

Driftwood in the Setting Sun

Birds Morning and Evening

Hi All,

After working 3 days of Memorial Day weekend, we spent our day off looking at (but not photographing) birds.

We met the Florence OR birding group  for a morning bird walk through a coastal wetland. The birds were interesting if not numerous. The highlight was a northern flicker nest hole where we got to see the flicker arrive and climb inside. A few minutes later a pair of stellar jays landed on the same tree while squawking loudly. The flicker stuck its head out of the nest hole to see what the commotion was.

The afternoon was spent shopping and internetting in Florence. Back at the coach we watched several black headed grosbeaks, an uncommon bird,  at the feeder right outside our window. 

Love
Sandy & Carl

Photographed and sent from Carl's iPhone

The birding group meets close to this 1930's art deco bridge across the Siuslaw River

A northern flicker lives here- really!

Birds in Bandon

Hi All,

We drove about 80 miles south of Florence to the delightful town of Bandon. We visited the refuge there and walked along the ocean bluff looking for birds. We saw most of the same birds we see at Heceta, though we did catch a glimpse of a tufted puffin. Most of the murres in Bandon were sitting up on the rocks while at Heceta they are still down in the water.  We were both jealous. 

We concluded our visit with some shopping (no surprise there) then drove back north to our campground.

Love
Sandy & Carl

Photographed and sent from Carl's iPhone

Elephant Rock at Coquille Point

Murres preparing to lay eggs

More murres on the rocks

Lovely coastal scenery even in the cloudy wind

Bandon Waterfront- the blip on the horizon is Coquille River Light

Octopus sculpture, one of many along the riverfront.

Shore Acres & Cape Arago State Parks

Hi All,

After two days of rain when we did chores, car repairs (again) and Internet time at the library, today we set off for the Coos Bay area.

First stop was Shore Acres State Park where we toured the magnificent gardens and enjoyed the extraordinary coastal scenery. 

Shore Acres entrance with multicolored rhododendrons.

Bright red rhodys make a nice backdrop for our picture

Pond reflection provides twice as many flowers

Raindrops on a blue flag iris

This Japanese cedar has spent its life in the prevailing winds of the Oregon coast. Notice that the center of the ring pattern is way over on the right and virtually all of the growth is to the left.

Exotic Monkey Puzzle tree introduced from S. America

Crashing surf at Shore Acres. 

Next stop was Simpson's Reef where four different kinds of Pinnipeds (seals & sea lions) can be seen.

California and Steller Sea Lions

More Pinnipeds. There are elephant seals on the back against the rocks.

Last stop was Cape Arago with more dramatic scenery.

We sure do love the Oregon coast.

Love 
Sandy & Carl

Photographed and sent from Carl's iPhone

Murres & Motorcycles

Hi All,

The common murres have not yet settled on to the rocks to lay their eggs. A few birds landed temporarily but an overflight by a bald eagle sent them back into the water. 

After "work" we went into Florence for the Rhododendron Festival. There was a modest arts & craft exhibit, a few street vendors and a beautiful display of Flowers. Mostly there were motorcycles. Hundreds of bikes lined the streets and roared back and forth in a deafening rumble. 

Back at the coach we had a quiet evening, mostly because Carl has been unable to get our satellite TV working.

Love
Sandy & Carl

Photographed and sent from Carl's iPhone

A Few Murres on the Rock

Most are still in the Water

Flag Iris along the trail

Bikes at the Rhody Festival

Our "Commute"

Hi All,

As most of you know, we are spending the summer volunteering at Heceta Head Lighthouse on the Oregon coast as wildlife interpreters. Our role is to help visitors see and appreciate the seabirds and other wildlife in the area.

This is our commute to "work"

Our parking space at the beach

We hike about a half mile up to the lighthouse

Past beautiful scenery

And past the old lighthouse keeper house, now a B & B.

This is the view from our "office".  Life is good!

Love 
Sandy & Carl

Photographed and sent from Carl's iPhone

Oregon Birds

Hi All,

Monday we did our first session at Heceta Head Lighthouse. We had several hundred common murres atop the rocks early in the day but they flushed off about 11AM and stayed away the rest of the day.We also saw 150 surf scoters, western grebe, black oystercatcher and 3 species of cormorant. It was cloudy and windy all day but this is Oregon after all.

Tuesday we met up with a group of birders in Florence for a pleasant morning birding in some wetlands and along the coast. Carl took some photos through the spotting scope.

This afternoon we shopped around Old Town Florence then got some Internet at Fred Meyer's.

Love
Sandy & Carl

Photographed and sent from Carl's iPhone

White Crowned Sparrow checking us out

Breeding Brandt's Cormorants with the beautiful blue throat patch

Western Gull begging for food at Sea Lion Point (I had to back up to focus on this guy)