Mile 43 Report
Beach south of Humbug Mountain
September 15, 2007
Mile 43 is directly south of Humbug Mountain.
Report Details
Mile 43 is directly south of Humbug Mountain. The mountain often intensifies NW wind,similar to standing on the top of a windy bluff. When the wind is from the NE like on Saturday, the beach is protected, and the light breeze from inland can be quite warm. Waves were about 3,4 feet, the ocean was very blue, and the water was clear. A whale was swimming near by for most of the walk. Of interest, the beach was covered with bear and cub tracks, but I did not see them. Also the resident Vultures seem to now recognize me as an individual and let me approach quite close. Hopefully this new social interest will not include any dining. It was beach clean up day, and of concern is always foam in various stages of disinigration. I can never get it all, and there seems to be a lot more tiny stuff in the winter and spring. Also there were over 50 water bottles in the one mile of beach, and I hope the deposit slated for 2009 will reduce this more recent occurence. Although there have been no real storms, erosion of the summer beach that has built up is underway, and the beach from west to east is much smaller than is was in July.
Conditions
Temperature: 75 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: NE. Tide Level: 2.0 feet.
Human Activities
Number of people: 1. Walking or running: 1. Other Activities: number includes me. Real quiet. Did see signs of driftwood windbreak so someone has been there.
Notable Wildlife
Bear and cub tracks on sand. Ravens, turkey vultures present. Whale was swimming offshore. Also saw a harbor porpise. 20 to 30 cubic yards of seaweed had piled on the northern end of the sand portion of the beach. Event is not uncommon for this time of year. This years gulls were hunting for mole crabs 10-12 in a flock. Rafts of sea birds off shore.
Beached Birds
Total dead birds: 3. sea birds
Dead Fish or Invertebrates
Unusual concentration. A number of young dungeness crabs, a few large jellyfish
Driftline Content
Seaweeds and seagrass, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.), Shells, Small rocks, Styrofoam, Wood pieces.
Dale Lee
CoastWatcher
All Mile 43 Reports
Mile 43
Beach south of Humbug Mountain
Stepping on to be beach I was greeted by a healthy supply of summer sand, low swells and blue water with changing shades of color and contrast as the puffy clouds blew over from the northwest.
Dale Lee
Mile 43
Beach south of Humbug Mountain
Over ten feet of sand has migrated from the north end of mile 43, as remnant bits of last summer's beach can still be seen high near the vegetation line.
Dale Lee
Mile 43
Beach south of Humbug Mountain
Visiting my mile is traditionally a low tide, moderate to low swell event.
Dale Lee
Mile 43
Beach south of Humbug Mountain
Although it is about a 10 to 15 minute walk to the beach, ODOT did a major repair to the place I park and access my mile.
Dale Lee
Mile 43
Beach south of Humbug Mountain
Nice afternoon with exceptionally clean and clear air.
Dale Lee
Mile 43
Beach south of Humbug Mountain
The ocean was quite foamy from a high swell at night but had subsided to around 5 feet when I was there.
Dale Lee