April 30, 2020

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Because of the pandemic-related closure of the state parks, I accessed the beach via the steps at Deane's Lodging, by the kind permission of the owner. It was a mild, sunny afternoon. More visitors were out than I would have expected, given the current restrictions and closures -- a total of 22 people, 5 children and 17 adults, with 8 dogs accompanying them, 6 off leash. There were 1 bicyclist and 3 surfers. The drift line was well delineated by dried foam. (See photo.) There were numerous crab carapaces and legs as well as many dead sand fleas. I saw 4 whimbrels and a few gulls; also a couple of dead birds, which I couldn't identify. I'll attach a photo of the better preserved one. The large chunk of bluff that's been threatening to come down since December was still standing, although even more battered-looking. A little farther south, some bluff-top vegetation had collapsed, taking some of the Tillicum campground's fencing with it. (See photos.) Additional large chunks of bluff had fallen at a couple of other spots as well.