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Borrego Springs, CA

Thursday, July 9, 2015

A trip to Port Orford, and the mystery solved

On Tuesday Jack and I headed up the Samuel Boardman Scenic Byway to check out the viewpoint waysides.

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First up for us heading north on US 101 was the Whalehead Trail viewpoint.  I had brought the scope along in hopes of seeing breeding birds on the islands along the way.  Perhaps Jack is a junior bird nerd in the making?

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Then we skipped up to Arch Rock Point.  Those white splotches on the ledges of the rock are indeed pelagic cormorant nesting sites. 

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These cormorants build their nests out of seaweed and guano on the slim ledges of the rock face.  Jack had brought his 400mm lens along, so he was able to get a shot of the nesting birds.  You really can’t tell these birds are there with the naked eye.

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Using the scope, I also spotted these three baby Western Gulls.  Can you see their grey fluffiness just to the right of center?  By this time, several other folks had arrived along the trail, and I went into USFWS interpreter mode.  Winking smile  All of these islands are part of Oregon Islands NWR, don’t you know.  They were all thrilled to take a look through the scope at the babies and the nesting cormorants.

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A few minutes later, I heard the screaming alarm calls of some Black Oystercatchers a bit further down the overlook trail.  I hot-footed it over there to see this view.  The gulls and oystercatchers were having a fit, so I scanned the area and found two peregrine falcons looking for lunch.  The gulls were chasing after the peregrines, and the peregrines were dive bombing the gull and oystercatcher nesting areas.  What a ruckus!  I called over the other visitors, and we all got the thrill of watching from above.  That sure made my day!

_MG_2183Eventually, we made it to Port Orford and had lunch at a place I had picked out from reading other bloggers comments about it.  It was pretty tasty.  I had the local shrimp patty melt sandwich.  If I ever get back here, next time I think I’d just order their fish and chips, and maybe some clam chowder.  I’ve never had clam chowder, and missed my chance to try some here.

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There were three historic places I wanted to visit while in Port Orford.  The first was the Cape Blanco Lighthouse.

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We did get to see it from a distance.  The other two places were the historic Hughes House and the Lifeboat Station Museum, but wouldn’t you know it, all three were closed on Tuesdays.  Bummer!

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As we headed back to Brookings we did stop in Gold Beach so Jack could get a picture of their post office.  He collects pictures of post offices around the country.  We also walked a very short way down the Oregon Coast Trail to view the Natural Bridges Cove.  It was a pretty good day trip all in all, and the weather really cooperated for a change.

Yesterday I had Jack over for NY BBQ using Cornish game hens, and we said our farewells until the next time our paths cross.  I’m guessing it will be another couple of years before that happens again.  It was a good visit, and we had a lot of laughs.  Safe travels, Jack.

As for the mystery of where Lesa disappeared to, I found out at the volunteer breakfast yesterday that it seems she has PTSD, and was feeling terribly claustrophobic in site B6.  I guess she just moved to a more open site, and is still volunteering here.  I just haven’t seen her out and about.  That’s a better outcome than my mind was conjuring up.

Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy

24 comments:

  1. It sounds like you guys had a great adventure today. Safe travels Jack. Glad the mystery is solved and hopefully she can handle the new site okay.

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  2. Wonderful Photos! Such gorgeous scenery... even those ugly little baby gulls ;-) Sounds like y'all had a great time. Hope you have a great time in Nepal (okay, I'm joking).

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  3. What a fun day seeing some of the highlights of the area. Sorry you didn't get to get up close and personal with the lighthouse. It is a beauty.

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  4. What a nice day trip! You will have to go back on a different day. I enjoyed your photos very much:)

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  5. Great photos Judy! Love that area so much!

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  6. Another wonderful day trip, thanks for sharing with us.

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  7. Great to solve a mystery. Sounds like a great time.

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  8. Tsk, tsk, you've never had clam chowder and you missed your chance at The Crazy Norwegian's? Wish me and Jimmy were with you ... we might've ordered you a small bowl (heh heh). Heck, maybe you can go back and feast on fish/chips/chowder. Glad you guys had a good visit.

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  9. Thanks for solving the volunteer mystery. You really must have clam chowder if you never have. That's so surprising to me. But that said, there is chowder and there is chowdah if you know what I mean. Love the picture of the view of the cove from the overlook trail and your final two pictures. Simply gorgeous. Sorry to hear you may not meet up with Jack again for a long time. He was just becoming a bird nerd. Now who will help him along?

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  10. You're quite the detective, Sherlock Judy! :cD

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  11. I had clam chowder once at Monterey or Santa Cruz, that was supposed to be the world's best. I really don't care for it and there are plenty of other seafood dishes I love so I don't miss the chowder. Too bad you picked a day when everything was closed up in Port Orford. I've not been there yet, but I liked Gold Beach.

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  12. Was the wind blowing a gale when you visited Cape Blanco?????

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  13. Love your photos...what a beautiful spot wherever one looks..I wonder if Jack has ever been to the Ochopee, FL Post Office..It is the smallest known in the US..Here is a link to see a photo of it. http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/14154
    Glad you solved your mystery...I had a more sinister scenario in mind too...

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    1. Took pictures after a swamp walk tour at Clyde Butchers.

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  14. I guess clam chowder is not on everyone's hit list. It is like really really good potato soup with a hint of clam in it, and if it is good, there isn't any sand and the clam is fresh and not fishy and not rubbery. So it can be a crap shoot. I think the Crazy Norwegian would be your best place to try it. Of course, I am referring to the regular milky creamy stuff from New England, not that weird watery red stuff they call Manhattan Clam Chowder. Ick. Sounds like you and Jack had a great time. It will be fun to hear how the lady works out at the park if you get to know her. I am still really bummed about the park being closed all next season. Makes me a bit crazy actually. How can they do that???!!

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  15. Thanks Miss Judy for having me and I'm glad we were able to find some smoother roads.

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  16. Fabulous pictures- Amazing how the cormorants can nest on that little ledge.

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  17. I always enjoy reading about Jack's visits. You always seem to find something fun to do.

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  18. Wonderful day trip. This is the kind of stuff I was hoping you'd get to do so that I could come along! You are making Oregon move up my list of places to visit.

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  19. The photo of the natural bridge is a beauty! I'll say it was a perfect, well almost...sorry the POIs were closed, day Judy. I would have loved to see the birds in action.

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  20. Great coastal pictures! Sounds like a good outcome to the mystery:)

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