Oregon Dunes


Continuing up the Oregon coast, our next stop was Oregon Dunes State Recreation Area.  The rocky coastline and sea stacks are gone. In their place, miles of silky, soft sand. Dunes of sand 30+ feet tall. Inland, lupines, wild roses, grasses finding a home in the sand. The wind and sand working synergistically to create intricate ever changing patterns and designs. Footprints, those who make the dunes their home with those who come to play, to see, to enjoy, intermingled. 

This was Oregon Dunes State Recreation Area.

It was also lots of people driving OHVs, off highway vehicles,  (loud OHVs), history, birds and an animal species I had never heard of before!


On to pics …

I don't think I have to say anything about the next pics … they speak for themselves.                                             The dunes and surrounding area are spectacular.

Seedpods 

and flowers

Umpqua River lighthouse. It is still an active light.

the stairs go on forever …

up to the light.

We were able to stick our heads up in the light as it was moving. It was super interesting … but also made me super queasy 🙄.  I had to lie down on a bench and "rest" while Martin went on to the museum. Sometimes my reactions to things are just ridiculous.

As you may guess, the colors of this light are white and red.

The old life saving boat.

At the campground

Baby ducklings 

Belted Kingfisher 

This swimming creature is a nutria, aka coypu or swamp beaver. It is not a native animal. It was originally imported from South America for fur farming, (like chinchillas) but when the market collapsed in the 1940s, they either "escaped" or were released into the wild.  Although they eat weeds and overabundant vegetation they also destroy native aquatic plants and wetlands and since they are non-native there are no natural population controls. Apparently they are a big problem in Louisiana as well.

Patterns in the dunes

Sculpture

Footprints 

There are several bodies of water in this area. The water, from precipitation, run off , etc, is trapped by the dunes and forms ponds and lakes.

Boats on the Umpqua River.                    We thought the red and black one was quite unusual.


Next stop: Cannon Beach,OR.


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