Mom wanted do some shopping at the Penny's store in Astoria (almost two hour drive - yes, shopping on the coast can be a challenge!)so we decided to make a day of it. Packed our lunches, filled the big thermos with mint tea, rounded up the binoculars and bird books, and were out the door by 9:30 - woohoo!
We made it almost a whole mile before we had to stop to check out birds. Tillamook Bay is beautiful any time of the day, any phase of tide.
This may seem a strange subject for a photo - the floating biffies are in place for the season again, which the fishing folk and clam diggers really appreciate. For some reason it was placed right in front of the main pullout along the bay. So picture a frantic fisherman (or lady) scrambling out of a boat onto the platform, with a ready-made audience taking pictures. You have to have a certain amount of sang froid to use this facility...
The REAL reason for the photo - the loon in the background. Yep. That was why I took this one (heh heh!). Too bad there wasn't a model on hand for the biffy demo....
The tide was flowing in, a few clam diggers were still on the flats across the bay. We were envious, but mollified by the knowledge of many packages of clams in the freezer, waiting to be made into fritters or chowder. Now I'm getting hungry...
There were a lot of mergansers on this stretch of water - see their fun little hairdos? The males are colorful, the females are ruddy grey-brown with auburn "do's".
After a succesful shopping foray in Astoria, we began the return trip with a stop at the Astoria Settling Ponds. We were determined to check out new birding spots we hadn't seen before, and this was first on the list. One of our rewards at this stop were a small flock of Green Wing Teal. Note the brilliant green strip on the side of the head - the males are the fancy dudes, of course, the females more drab.
A pleasant short hike along a nearby trail made us feel spring was actually here. We were blessed with a flock of mixed chickadees (Black-capped and Chestnut sided), gorgeous little Ruby crowned kinglets, and Song sparrows seranading in the trees above us as we ate our lunch. A Brown Creeper made an appearance, a real treat. Fox sparrows and robins were active in the underbrush. Along the trail, we were almost skewered by a busy hummingbird. A Redshafted flicker and Downey woodpecker represented the woodpecker family. Gulls and crows wheeled shadows over us as we enjoyed this private little cove hidden from the main roads.
These pussywillows were almost as long as my finger, some of the largest I've seen!
Good footing is important along a trail. This one was great for two gals with foot and ankle challenges. The variety of habitat on a flat terrain was very inviting to hikers.
The small parking area was un-named, but invited visitors into the area over a sturdy bridge. We enjoyed a lovely lunch break, accompanied by our feathered friends.
Next stop was just north of Seaside, another hidden treasure. The parking lot tucked into a quiet older neighborhood of Gearhart was the trailhead to the beach area.
The confluence of creek, river and ocean in this broad tidal basin is a prime area for migrating shore birds. We were about a month early for the migration flocks, but marked it for future visits. Easy access, good views, level area to set up beach chairs and spotting scopes. You have to account for the important things when birding! NOTE: This trail was honored by being the source of our Life Bird of the day: Hermit Thrush!
Just before leaving this sunny beach, we noted a pair of horseback riders and their dog - it was a delightful day for a beach ride, that's for sure! The first rider looks like he's riding a camel, but I do believe both animals were horses...
Another new spot for us - Seaside Cove. This one-legged gull is a typical coast species (and if you believe that one, I have a bridge...).
We were hoping to score a harbor seal or harbor porpoise, which frequent this cove. Along with surfers. It was rather quiet on the water...
but as I was scanning a big log floating just outside the breakers, right over the top of the gull on the right I spotted a WHALE SPOUT!!! A few minutes later, another spout! It's the time of year that the Grey whales start migrating from California and Baja breeding grounds up to the colder food-rich waters off Alaska. The bulls and single cows come along first, March and April, followed in May by the cows with calves. It's been many years since I've been treated by a spout sighting! Major score for the day!
We took a quick side trip at Cannon Beach to check out the settling ponds there, then continued on down to Manzanita to find another new-to-us area. Alder Creek Farm and Wildlife Refuge is a trust project for a local conservation group. The 55 acres left of an old dairy farm is a place to see varied coast habitat and inhabitants. The old barn has been converted to a class area, with many displays, murals, and information in a casual setting. What a delight!
Behind the barn, we were surprised to see a herd of about 50 elk, grazing the lush pastures. Several branch bulls, four young spike bulls, and many yearlings made up the bulk of this herd.
After seeking shorebirds along the beaches all day, we had to laugh to see these Lesser Yellowlegs in the pasture pond! Note the old fellow behind, graciously sharing "his" space.
One of the trustees happened to be onsite, and gave us some background on the farm and the project. He pointed out the informal hiking trail, so we sauntered out for a stroll through the pasture, over a bridge (mom doesn't like bridges were you can see through the cracks!), and along new plantings of trees. The sun and green pastures were impossible to resist!
Another feature of this delightful farm are the community gardens. I was in heaven - unfrozen dirt, with things GROWING!!!
This bed of leeks was like a tonic for the heart! Peas, Sugarsnap peas, onions and radishes were in newly planted beds, and many over-wintered veggies were abundant.
Amenities aren't fancy, but adequate... even potable water, which isn't always the case in isolated sites.
The whole farm is open to visitors, no locked doors or forbidden areas (unless the elk are calving nearby). I took advantage of browsing the green house. Notice the elk in the background through the window...
I was impressed by the organization and dedication of these gardeners. This is the sort of project I love, and I'd be elbow deep if I lived in the area! It was difficult to tear ourselves away from this wonderful old farm and it's message of conservation. We'll be back!
As the day drew closer to home, we stopped to catch the sunset along the bay again. The Three Graces are the touchstones of Tillamook Bay, the large monoliths home to many birds, with fascinating tidal pools around the bases at low tide.
We had come full cycle, as the tide was rushing out again.
We could hardly believe it was almost 7:30 p.m. The glorious sunset was a fitting end to a wonderful day shared with my mom, who has taught me almost everything I know about loving and appreciating the land, the birds, the trees and flowers....
and especially the blessings of coastal beauty, around every corner.
Of the over two hundred photos I took during the day, this is such a small sample...next time, you'll just have to come along!
Just before leaving this sunny beach, we noted a pair of horseback riders and their dog - it was a delightful day for a beach ride, that's for sure! The first rider looks like he's riding a camel, but I do believe both animals were horses...
Another new spot for us - Seaside Cove. This one-legged gull is a typical coast species (and if you believe that one, I have a bridge...).
We were hoping to score a harbor seal or harbor porpoise, which frequent this cove. Along with surfers. It was rather quiet on the water...
but as I was scanning a big log floating just outside the breakers, right over the top of the gull on the right I spotted a WHALE SPOUT!!! A few minutes later, another spout! It's the time of year that the Grey whales start migrating from California and Baja breeding grounds up to the colder food-rich waters off Alaska. The bulls and single cows come along first, March and April, followed in May by the cows with calves. It's been many years since I've been treated by a spout sighting! Major score for the day!
We took a quick side trip at Cannon Beach to check out the settling ponds there, then continued on down to Manzanita to find another new-to-us area. Alder Creek Farm and Wildlife Refuge is a trust project for a local conservation group. The 55 acres left of an old dairy farm is a place to see varied coast habitat and inhabitants. The old barn has been converted to a class area, with many displays, murals, and information in a casual setting. What a delight!
Behind the barn, we were surprised to see a herd of about 50 elk, grazing the lush pastures. Several branch bulls, four young spike bulls, and many yearlings made up the bulk of this herd.
After seeking shorebirds along the beaches all day, we had to laugh to see these Lesser Yellowlegs in the pasture pond! Note the old fellow behind, graciously sharing "his" space.
One of the trustees happened to be onsite, and gave us some background on the farm and the project. He pointed out the informal hiking trail, so we sauntered out for a stroll through the pasture, over a bridge (mom doesn't like bridges were you can see through the cracks!), and along new plantings of trees. The sun and green pastures were impossible to resist!
Another feature of this delightful farm are the community gardens. I was in heaven - unfrozen dirt, with things GROWING!!!
This bed of leeks was like a tonic for the heart! Peas, Sugarsnap peas, onions and radishes were in newly planted beds, and many over-wintered veggies were abundant.
Amenities aren't fancy, but adequate... even potable water, which isn't always the case in isolated sites.
The whole farm is open to visitors, no locked doors or forbidden areas (unless the elk are calving nearby). I took advantage of browsing the green house. Notice the elk in the background through the window...
I was impressed by the organization and dedication of these gardeners. This is the sort of project I love, and I'd be elbow deep if I lived in the area! It was difficult to tear ourselves away from this wonderful old farm and it's message of conservation. We'll be back!
As the day drew closer to home, we stopped to catch the sunset along the bay again. The Three Graces are the touchstones of Tillamook Bay, the large monoliths home to many birds, with fascinating tidal pools around the bases at low tide.
We had come full cycle, as the tide was rushing out again.
We could hardly believe it was almost 7:30 p.m. The glorious sunset was a fitting end to a wonderful day shared with my mom, who has taught me almost everything I know about loving and appreciating the land, the birds, the trees and flowers....
and especially the blessings of coastal beauty, around every corner.
Of the over two hundred photos I took during the day, this is such a small sample...next time, you'll just have to come along!
And don't forget the cookies...
3 comments:
Glorious pictures! Thanks for the tour of the coast. Maybe one day I will get there again!
Love the pictures, thanks for sharing the new spots!!
demostration
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