Mile 129 - Horsfall Beach on North Spit, directly west of Jordan Cove - January 2, 2011

Report Details

I watch the crabbers in their boats just past the waveline. Their white forms are intermitently visible, then disappear except for the mast, as the waves seem to consume them. A crabbing vessel heads north. It looks like a small flat raft - the Kon Tiki! Then it turns slightly, the bow facing shore, and you can see that it is a determined fisher, a professional's boat. The sun reflects against the waterline on the beach. The glimmer is intense - almost too bright to look at with open eyes. A camera could never catch the sight that my eyes see. Many gulls on the beach. Shells, carapaces, kelp/algae, rocks, wood, plastic and glass bottles in the driftline. About 40 feet of what appeared to be intestines on the beach. Erosion of the foredune. Nineteen people (13 walking, 7 playing in surf or on sand, 2 sitting, 1 taking photographs and 2 on an ATV) enjoying the beach. Eight dogs.

Conditions

Temperature: 55 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Moderate. Wind Direction: N. Tide Level: 4.0 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 19. Number of dogs: 8. Walking or running: 13. Playing in surf: 4. Playing in sand: 3. Sitting: 2. Photography: 1. Other Activities: ATV = 2. This is the most activity that I've seen on the beach in quite a while - sunny day, I guess. A brisk northerly breeze kept us and others bundled up.

Concerns

Disturbances: Shorebirds moving in response to humans/dogs

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 10. ATVs/OHVs parking: 2. RVs/Buses parking: 2. Cars/trucks on beach, allowed: 1. ATVs/OHVs on beach, allowed: 3.

Notable Wildlife

Probable intestines (not stretched out = 40 ft; diam = 1') washed up on beach at mile 130, just north of the "Street Legal Vehicles Only" sign.Many, many miscellaneous gulls including Westerns.

Driftline Content

Seaweeds and seagrass, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Marine debris (plastic, styrofoam, etc. washing in from the sea), Shells, Small rocks, Wood pieces. glass bottles

Natural Changes

Erosion of vegetated foredune.

Actions & Comments

Attempted to contact OIMB regarding critter intestines washed up on Mile 130, for possible forensic study. No success.