Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Black and White and Awesome All Over

Yaquina Head Beach
Yaquina Head Lighthouse
Common Mures cover the rocks
Western Edge of Gingko Basalt Flow at Yaquina Head
Dozens of outcroppings make for constant crashing waves

"Mine"

Blanket of wild color


Awesome Visitors' Center
Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area is a federal park and well worth the $7 entry fee. The white of the sea foam, the black of the rocky beach and lava flow, the black and white of the birds, the white and black of the lighthouse - if not for the splash of color from the wild flowers you'd swear you had crossed into a monochromatic world. It is a truly awesome place. In addition to the hundreds of birds, we saw several seal playing in the pools and Bill saw a whale!  Although it was overcast, the temperature was comfortable and we spent a long time enjoying the beauty. 

The visitors' center is very well done with areas dedicated to both the natural setting and to the world of the lighthouse keepers. Tours of the lighthouse are scheduled there - and they were booked for the rest of the morning although we arrived 10 minutes after they opened.  Popular!

Still more to do and see during our short stay at South Beach State Park, Newport, Oregon.

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22 comments:

  1. Wanderin'July 15, 2015 at 1:52 AM

    You are definitely in a beautiful area!

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    1. Jodee GravelJuly 15, 2015 at 6:14 AM

      Don't know how many times I can say "this is my favorite" but Yaquina Head definitely captured me.

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  2. Metamorphosis LisaJuly 15, 2015 at 6:36 AM

    Gorgeous! I love the flock of mures...I don't believe I've seen those before. They look kind of like penguins all bunched up like that!

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    1. Jodee GravelJuly 15, 2015 at 7:07 PM

      There were a gazillion of them there, all huddled together across the tops of the larger rocks. They looked really funny when they flew :-)

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  3. SherryJuly 15, 2015 at 12:03 PM

    Wow what fantastic pictures. Birds, seals, ocean, lighthouse. Eating my heart out. I want to be where you are....pout pout pout!

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    1. Jodee GravelJuly 15, 2015 at 7:08 PM

      Glad you're at least coming along for the ride :-) The spot was a dream for taking photos!

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  4. DebbieMJuly 15, 2015 at 12:57 PM

    Fabulous, fabulous pictures!!

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  5. exploRVistas - Diana and JimJuly 15, 2015 at 2:41 PM

    Oh my, Jodee...they've done a lot since we were there in 1996! Back then, the lighthouse was awaiting restoration, and I don't believe that visitor center existed. I also remember touring Yaquina Bay lighthouse, which was up the hill and a little farther inland. I'm glad to see Yaquina Head offering tours. We toured Heceta Head at night and it was fabulous!

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    1. Jodee GravelJuly 15, 2015 at 7:09 PM

      I thought the VC looked pretty new - it is a beautiful center with a nice large parking lot where the old quarry was.

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  6. AnonymousJuly 15, 2015 at 4:58 PM

    America the beautiful passes will eliminate the entrance fees for most federally run facilities. You could buy one at Yaquina Head for either $10 for life or something more for one year depending on your age. You might find this to be to your advantage either way.

    We enjoy your enthusiastic descriptions of your journeys. Keep it up

    Luck be with you.

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    1. Jodee GravelJuly 15, 2015 at 7:10 PM

      Thanks, we will check into that :-) Thanks for coming along!

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  7. John and Pam (ohtheplacestheygo.wordpress.com)July 15, 2015 at 6:46 PM

    Love the mures! They sure do resemble penguins at first glance as Lisa said. Looks like a very neat area:)

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    1. Jodee GravelJuly 15, 2015 at 7:11 PM

      They even waddle like penguins a little, although there wasn't much room for walking on those rocks :-)

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  8. Sue and DougJuly 16, 2015 at 7:31 PM

    you are in our most favorite place!! thanks for sharing the sea of black and white!!

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    1. Jodee GravelJuly 16, 2015 at 8:46 PM

      It is now one of our most favorites as well - glad to share!!

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  9. Laurel (www.ravenandchickadee.com)July 16, 2015 at 9:19 PM

    Gorgeous photos of an especially beautiful spot! We were there last winter and loved it. Isn't the sound of the surf tumbling those rocks on the beach pure magic? Don't know if you're still there, but the Yaquina Bay lighthouse is lovely and open for self-guided tours.

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    1. Jodee GravelJuly 25, 2015 at 3:29 PM

      The tours were booked very early so we passed this time.

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  10. lindagraydaveyJuly 18, 2015 at 8:26 PM

    I am just now catching up on your blog. Keith and Brenda Krejci are hosting at the Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area, perhaps you met them? Super nice folks we met last year in Port Orford. Their bog - http://dnpc.blogspot.com/

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    1. Jodee GravelJuly 25, 2015 at 3:30 PM

      Didn't meet them, they were likely the ones answering folks' questions by the lighthouse. Seemed super nice. I'll check out the blog for sure.

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  11. GaelynJuly 24, 2015 at 10:29 PM

    Lovely coast in B&W.

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    1. Jodee GravelJuly 25, 2015 at 3:31 PM

      It's amazing how the cloud cover there can take the color out of so much of it.

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