Mile 299 Report
South end Manzanita Beach
September 2, 2021
Almost half of the people seen were kite surfers.
Report Details
Almost half of the people seen were kite surfers. The dead Mola mola was a significant find...the first I've seen in 5 years of CoastWatch surveys. They are not uncommon in the open ocean near Manzanita but are rare on the beach.
Conditions
Temperature: 60 F. Cloud Cover: Foggy. Wind Velocity: Moderate. Wind Direction: NW. Tide Level: 3.7 feet.
Human Activities
Number of people: 15. Number of dogs: 2. Walking or running: 9. Other Activities: Kitesurfing 6.
Beached Birds
Total dead birds: 1. common murre
Dead Fish or Invertebrates
Dead Mola mola in the sand. Also known as Ocean Sunfish, this specimen was only 16" long but the average adults weigh over 2,000pounds and are the size of a sedan.
Driftline Content
Wood pieces.
A young Mola mola only 16" long...adults weigh over a ton!
Before a kite surfer can frolic in the waves, they have to first maneuver the massive kite across the beach to get there.
Report Images
cpendergrass
CoastWatcher
All Mile 299 Reports
Mile 299
South end Manzanita Beach
The beach was clear of most driftwood and the wrack line was very high.
Terry Folen
Mile 299
South end Manzanita Beach
This was my first "intentional" walk on this part of the beach paying close attention to what my mile looked and felt like. I saw about 50 semipalmated sandpipers playing together at the break line. There were many piles of seaweed, a few large jellyfish and lots of slippery jelly fish pieces.
Terry Folen
Mile 299
South end Manzanita Beach
A foggy day with blue sky sometimes peeking out above.
Christine Pendergrass
Mile 299
South end Manzanita Beach
A clear blue sky and mild temperatures brought dozens of people onto the beach.
Christine Pendergrass
Mile 299
South end Manzanita Beach
Manzanita's beach was about as devoid of people as it ever gets.
Christine Pendergrass
Mile 299
South end Manzanita Beach
A mild and pleasant day on Manzanita’s expansive beach. Photo 1: Runners are backlit by hazy sunshine that accents the shimmering highlights of the wet sand and low waves. Photo 2: This lion’s mane jelly measured 7” across and washed up on the beach without its tentacles but otherwise intact. Photo 3: A tiny uncarved pumpkin at water’s edge brings recent Halloween decorations to mind.
Christine Pendergrass
Mile 299
South end Manzanita Beach
Summer in Manzanita was in full swing.
cpendergrass
Mile 299
South end Manzanita Beach
I had the beach practically to myself on this mild day in April with the exception of a family building an elaborate teepee from driftwood.
cpendergrass