Crescent Bay
So much of our day-to-day lives have been upended with COVID-19 it would be unreasonable to think that citizen-science, and in particular our participation with the University of Washington’s COASST program, would be spared. Although the task of actually doing the survey is unaffected, it’s finding a suitable basecamp that has been the linchpin in this process. It’s always been convenient to locate out La Push but the Quileute tribe has restricted access and there’s no indication that they’ll be reversing that decision anytime soon. We’ve tried a handful of other locations with various degrees, or not, of success. However, we may have finally found the perfect location in Crescent Bay.
Crescent Bay was once home to the appropriately named Port Crescent. A thriving and hopeful community located on the bay just west of Port Angels. Like so many other communities its hopes for prosperity rested on the location of the railroad terminals being expanded in this direction. When those hopes didn’t come to fruition, the town slowly withered and died. Finally, the Army burned the derelict buildings and abandoned homes to the ground, and now all that is left is the historic pioneer’s cemetery.
However, there are two campgrounds available. One is the Salt Creek County Park and the other is the privately owned Crescent Beach RV Beach Park. We’ve stayed at both and for the time being, they’ll be our basecamps for heading out the coast to conduct our bird surveys. I’ve been coming out here to explore for over twenty years and would hardly see a soul. Now it seems to be overrun with surfers but as they’re great stewards of the ocean, it’s nice to see them here.
Support
Our mission is a labor of love, but it does come with overhead. If you’d like to support our efforts we’d certainly appreciate it. Currently, we’re actively participating in the following field research:
- COASST Beached Bird Surveys
- Wild and Scenic River Project
Thank you.
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Storm Damage
We were lucky that our low tide was mid-morning which allowed us a more reasonable departure time to head out to the coast. Clear skies meant cold temperatures as we made our way around Lake Crescent. The surrounding mountains were snow-capped and there was some ice present around the fringes of the waterfall. In addition to the cold temperatures, there was plenty of evidence of wind damage as well.
Every winter the Pacific Northwest is raked with storms coming off the Pacific. This year was no exception. We usually find remnants of the storm on our trail down to the beach, but this trip was especially full of blowdowns. Just on our trail alone, we had a dozen or so trees that had come down and been chainsawed by the park service.
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A forgotten sailboat, once at home on the open seas, now rests as a forgotten relic in the parking lot near Damon Point, standing as a haunting reminder of forgotten dreams and the relentless power of time.
The golden hues of the sunset cascade through the dense trees of the Pacific Northwest forest. It's a sight that never gets old, a reminder of the beauty that can be found in even the simplest things.
Walking through the forest near our campground on the Strait of Juan de Fuca. It’s almost hypnotic listening to the breeze in the canopy and the waves on the shore.
As the sun ascends, an explosive burst of vibrant hues paints the sky over Damon Point, illuminating the world with a kaleidoscope of colors and reminding us of the breathtaking beauty that awaits those who embrace each new day. Read more about our adventure; the link is in the bio.
Theresa is leading the way to Pebble Beach. A local in the area had shared that this was once an Indian summer camp and that you could still find arrowheads and pottery.
Camping with Jason who found us a great spot on the Columbia River. It’s unbelievable how close the shipping channel comes to our sites.
Come explore the stunning beauty of Tokeland with us! 📸 Click the link in our profile to see what Theresa captured and to join in on the conversation about conservation.
Exploring the Coastal Charm of Tokeland - Essex Media & Explorations
From above, the waves on Long Beach Peninsula look like a canvas of abstract art, each one unique and captivating in its own way. It's like watching a symphony of nature in motion - powerful, graceful, and utterly mesmerizing. 🌊✨
I recently witnessed a breathtaking sunset on the Pacific Coast. The hues of orange, and pink painted the sky and reflected off the calm water. It was a truly unforgettable moment.
Theresa's enjoying a moment of peace in Long Beach - just look at that sunset! All of us can help preserve these beautiful places for people to enjoy for years to come. Share your favorite conservation memory in the comments below!
We recently camped at Lake Sylvia State Park and were fortunate enough to have a break in the weather. Just as we were rounding the lake's northern end, there was a break in the clouds revealing a golden sky.
I'd love for you to check my lastest article which includes a short video of my visit to one of Washington's fire lookouts. https://buff.ly/409XOYR
Just published an article over on the website which also has a short clip of my trip to find the Burley Mountain Fire Lookout. Find the link in the bio.
Fluffy cotton candy clouds adorn the serene skies and tranquil waters of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. We had to wait a bit for the tide to recede before we could start our #COASST bird survey.
We took shelter under an underhand to wait out a squall while conducting our #COASST bird survey on Murdock Beach. Theresa took advantage to do a bit of Agate hunting while the storm blew over head.
Cougar Tracks
We have been coming down to Toleak Beach for over two years now, and in that time we’ve seen a wide variety of either wildlife or the clues of wildlife. This time we came across the tracks of a cougar who had been crossing the high tide line recently. Certainly, since high tide as his tracks would have been erased and that was only a couple of hours previous to our arrival.
There was no mistaking these tracks and they were quite large; at least as big as my hand. There’s something that gives you a moment of pause when you release that there is a big predator in the immediate vicinity. As soon as I realized what I was looking at, I glanced over my shoulder both up and down the beach.
Of course, nothing came of our sighting and we patrolled the rest of our beach without incident, but it’s just these serendipity encounters and makes our COASST surveys so enjoyable and rewarding. Whether it’s a Humpback whale on the tide line or a doe with her fawn these are the wonders of nature that bring us over Scott’s Bluff to our beach time and time again.
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