Mile 171 Report
Heceta Beach South, almost to North Jetty
December 17, 2018
Cruised Heceta Beach this afternoon just before the next big wind and rain storms blow on-shore.
Report Details
Cruised Heceta Beach this afternoon just before the next big wind and rain storms blow on-shore. The entire mile is covered with smashed or sometimes fully intact Sea Nettle jellies Chrysaora fuscescens (photo). Numerous large balls of tangled bull kelp Nereocytis luetkeana are washed up along the north half of Mile 171 (photos). The recent high tides and big waves have flattened the summertime transverse dunes, pulling sand off the high beach and exposing long-buried driftwood logs. I observed a single osprey hovering, then grabbing a fish from the nearshore surf. Aern't they supposed to be well south of here by now? A few sanderlings were also spotted, along with the usual gaggles of the more common gull species hanging out in the flat just south of Driftwood Shore Resort. Several used disposable syringes were mixed into the usual natural debris of the high tide line near the North Jetty.
Conditions
Temperature: 60 F. Cloud Cover: Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: SE.
Human Activities
Number of people: 5. Number of dogs: 1. Walking or running: 2. Photography: 2.
Vehicles
Notable Wildlife
Osprey feeding in surf area. Should be well south by now.
Driftline Content
Seaweeds and seagrass, Shells, Wood pieces, Land-based debris (picnics, etc.). Several used disposable syringes washed up on beach
Natural Changes
Evidence of wave overtopping. High tides and big surf have flattened the summer transverse dunes, exposing long-buried driftwood logs.
Report Images
All Mile 171 Reports
Mile 171
Heceta Beach South, almost to North Jetty
Nice morning to exercise the dog on Heceta Beach.
oldMGguy
Mile 171
Heceta Beach South, almost to North Jetty
Stunningly beautiful sunny morning for a beach stroll.
oldMGguy
Mile 171
Heceta Beach South, almost to North Jetty
Huge stranding of brownish-red "Pacific Sea Nettle" (Chrysaora fuscescens) and Moon (Aurelia labiata) jellies all along Mile 171 and Mile 172 today.
oldMGguy
Mile 171
Heceta Beach South, almost to North Jetty
Nice sunny afternoon for a stroll on Heceta Beach.
oldMGguy
Mile 171
Heceta Beach South, almost to North Jetty
Whimbrels and sanderlings were feeding in the surf wash zone.
oldMGguy
Mile 171
Heceta Beach South, almost to North Jetty
A nice morning walk today in the sunshine to practice my social distancing skills.
oldMGguy
Mile 171
Heceta Beach South, almost to North Jetty
Another nice Saturday afternoon for a stroll on Heceta Beach!
oldMGguy
Mile 171
Heceta Beach South, almost to North Jetty
A nice quiet wind-free afternoon to stroll Heceta Beach after the summer crowds have dispersed.
oldMGguy