Mile 158 - Oregon Dunes NRA, west of south end of Carter Lake - July 2, 2014

Report Details

Mid 70's at the beach with little wind....nice! Interesting fog/mist seemingly coming out of the sand (see photo)....reminiscent of Twilight Zone where creepy creatures come out of the haze. No such luck, no such creatures today, only six visitors from Fresno, Ca on the beach.The little wind sailors are back. Velella velella formed a long dark line at the high tide mark. (see photos).No tsunami debris...no trash of any kind. Nice to see a clean beach.Light scattering of broken clam shells with a very few crab molts mixed in.Other than the strange patches of fog/mist the only clouds to be seen were at horizon on the ocean to the west and some small puffy ones at the horizon to the east.

Conditions

Temperature: 70 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: N.

Human Activities

Number of people: 22. Number of dogs: 1. Walking or running: 7. Other Activities: 15 at dunes overlook. Most people were in and around the dunes overlook. One was on the trail apparently on the way back from the beach and six had just reached the beach when I was beginning my return trek back to the Dunes Overlook parking area.

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 15. RVs/Buses parking: 2. ATVs/OHVs on beach, prohibited: 1.

Notable Wildlife

No birds seen today

Dead Fish or Invertebrates

Unusual concentration. too many velella velella to count (see accompanying photos) most at the higher high tide line. Lower concentration at the lower high tide line.

Driftline Content

Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Shells, Small rocks.

Man-made Modifications

plover "fence" installed since my last visit