Mile 155 - Oregon Dunes NRA, Tahkenitch Creek - August 15, 2011

Report Details

Tahkenitch Creek is a new mile this year for me and I seem to always miss the lowest of tides, but this time there was soooo much beach. I crossed the creek easily, waded in a large pool about the size of an acre of water and found a vertebrae of a large animal in the pool. It was such a gorgeous day. Sunny with a breeze. Saw one or two brown pelicans, a whale or maybe two spouting for about an hour--they seemed to stay in the same spot. Lots of spouts and once I saw the head pop out of the water. Binoculars were so helpful. Lots of shells and dead crab that were still intact. Not eaten? The trail from the dune heading towards the beach seemed more loose sand than packed. Made for a good work out.

Human Activities

Number of people: 6. Walking or running: 6. Playing in sand: 6. Tire tracks in the area just south of the Tahkenitch Creek that is off limits but didn't see a vehicle.

Notable Wildlife

A carcass of an animal like a small deer. Back legs and hindquarters noted but really difficult to tell what is was. Short yellow fur. Bull kelp looked like new small growth. I'll post a picture in case anyone could identify it.

Driftline Content

Seaweeds and seagrass, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Shells. Lots of intact half shell of scallops and clams and 20 or 30 large dead crab that had not been eaten. Intact but shells and leg

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