Mile 128 - North Beach on North Spit Coos Bay 4 - December 16, 2008

Report Details

I learned a good lesson today about MAKING timefor a good report, rather than taking time when I can find it. I also will return to my habit of exploring my mile at the lowest of low tides. I have had to forgo riding this mile since Thanksgiving...every time I've been there to ride the huge, "angry" waves made me think that a sneaker could be on the way. My horse and I humbly returned to the sand road and enjoyed thesight of geese on the ponds and, today, a FROZENpond. The surf has been so wild that it is clearly audible from every area of the NorthSpit. The temperature today was 26, with a strong wind. Three layers and a jacket wereNOT enough. But the highest points on the hillssurrounding North Bend/Coos Bay were well-blanketed with snow, and I felt privileged to be outside,experiencing this beautiful state we livein during her winter season. The foredune has been undercut by the high waves. Kelp and driftwood was all along the beach. Sanderlings were foraging at the driftline and gulls have a rough time finding a spot to hunker down. Low human impact (0).

Conditions

Temperature: 26 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Direction: S. Tide Level: 6.4 feet.

Human Activities

Just myself today with 2 leashed canines, my LitterPatrol, wearing their packs.

Notable Wildlife

Sanderlings, gulls having a rough timefinding a spot to hunker down. Tide wasnearly up to the foredune. Much kelp,driftwood.

Beached Birds

I was unwilling to risk walking on thebeach when there was so little of it, soI made my observations from several spots on top of the dune, an interestingperspective, but obviously not the best.I am sure I missed much that I would have seen at low tide, on the beach.

Driftline Content

Kelp all along the beach. Large driftwood still remains, in spite of high, wild surf in November/December.

Natural Changes

Erosion of vegetated foredune. I was uneasy about standing above the beach, knowing the bluff is undercut by wave action in many places. If we have a normal, wild winter with storm after storm, I wonder what will be left of the bluff. Time and tide will continue their work.