Fun times

Today was a delightful break from five hour bird surveys and homework. Our original weekend plans included the Siletz pow-wow, but upon realizing that may require the dogs to stay kenneled up all day. As a result we headed to Newport (we go at least two times a month). For the first time we decided to pay the $7.00 to visit the BLM run Yaquina Head. There are many hiking trails in this area and it ultimately was well worth the money. We'd like to get an annual pass because it would be a great place to watch winter storms from. We visited cobble beach, a beach where the rocks and pebbles literally look like cobbles. Then we took the dogs to Agate Beach, just south of Yaquine Head. The dogs and I ran like maniacs among the dune-like piles of sand and played in the ocean for a little while. Freyja can't resist drinking the ocean so we don't go in too much anymore (she made herself sick last time!). After the dogs were well worn out we headed to the Newport Aquarium (where we are also members) for lunch (why not support the aquarium if we're spending the money anyway?). We also watch sea lions being goofy and otters being fed. We also visited the sea birds before heading the Hatfield Marine Science Center. We LOVE HMSC (I actually often wish I was taking classes there, just to be there). After that we headed back to Yaquina Head and bird watched for a bit. There were a tone of white-crowned sparrows. Thankfully it allowed me to realize that I haven't definitely not seen or heard any of them at my study sites. We also saw Brandt's, double-crested, and pelagic (only a few) cormorants, brown pelicans, pigeon guillemots, common murres, song sparrows, barn swallows, and a ton of gulls. The lighthouse was open for a twilight tour so we hiked up Salal Hill while we waited for it to open. From the top the view is amazing (1000 ft above the ocean!). There were a lot of people at the lighthouse so the tour was shorter than I would have preferred but still awesome. After that we headed to Quarry Cove. In the cove the Harbor seals were plentiful, the icing on the wildlife cake were the gray whales that were just off the coast. This is one of my favorite times of year at the Oregon Coast, the whales are a big part of this. Anyway Quarry cove is this amazing place that was once a rock quarry, then given to the BLM with the rest of Yaquina Head. The BLM created artificial rocks, which became real tidepools, then the sand and the seals came, creating a place that at first glance is very real. It was completely magickal and is possibly my favorite place on the OR coast now. Finally, seeing Quarry Cove gives me hope (at least a little) for preservation, conservation, and restoration efforts worldwide. Now we're watching the Olympics. This is something I have avoided for the last several games (for the most part). I'm so opposed to the competitiveness. Now that I am older and wiser I see them for the beauty that they can be. People from small countries that I've never heard of competing on a global level, just because they can, even when the rest of the world is laughing behind their hands because these people have "no hope" of winning (say the commentators). It really can be a cool thing.