Once, these two magnificent sea stacks would have been part of the coast. Erosion made them part of the ocean. The evening sun was bathing them in a gentle glow.
I am continuing the exploration of the Oregon Coast on my Friday travel blog. This is part of the Harris Beach series. So far, Peggy and I have given you a tour of the tide pools teeming with interesting sea life. Today I will focus on the sea stacks that adorn the coast. Harris Beach State Park is located next to the town of Brookings, which is just north of the California border. The following photos are taken by both Peggy and me.
Goat (or Bird Island) at Harris Beach SP near Brookings is the largest Island on the Oregon Coast. According to the Audubon Society it is an IBA, an Important Bird Area. And it is. Over 100,000 birds nest there annually, including tufted puffins, a bird I more closely associate with my years of living in Alaska. The island is off-limits to people.
This massive sea stack appeared to have a face looking out toward sea. The rock base made me think of a many legged creature.
A closer view.
The reflection caught our attention here.
Peggy and I wandered among these rocks checking out tide pools.
Later in the day, the tide started coming in. It was time to stop playing in tide pools and start thinking about the sunset.
More color here.
I’ll conclude with this sea stack which was smaller but also colorful. My travel blog next Friday will include human-size rocks, an impressive hole in one of the sea stacks, and drift wood.
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Monday’s Blog-a-Book Post… From “It’s 4 AM and a Bear Is Standing on Top of Me” : The shameless shenanigans of Pat the Greyhound and Demon the Black Cat get them fired from ghost guard duty.
39 thoughts on “The Magnificent Sea Stacks of Harrison Beach… Marvels of Erosion”
The geology’s fascinating, of course (not to mention the aesthetic appeal) but I must say that second photo really caught my attention. I’m sure the birds are happy to have their own little island that’s safe from at least one kind of predator.
There are a string of Islands and sea stacks along the coast that have been set aside as a refuges for sea life, Linda. Goat/Bird Island was the first, If I remember correctly, in 1936.
We’re very interested in watching these posts, Curt. We have an open invitation to visit some friends in Oregon once we are able…and your posts are making that opportunity more and more of interest. (Friends live near the city of Eugene…)
Highway 126 out of Eugene will take you right over to the coast and the charming town of Florence (the historic district along the Siuslaw River). The marina/Port of Siuslaw actually has a RV campground right on the edge of the historic town, an easy 10 minute walk. Let the fun begin! From there, you can either go north or south following the coast. It’s all beautiful. –Curt
Again you have taken us on a wonderful trip. Oregon has an impressive
coast and as always nature never fails to thrill.
I especially fall for the sea stack, our imagination can create much out of
those photos. Thanks Curt and Peggy
It was one of my favorites as well, Peggy. The contrast of the light and dark, the rocks, and the clouds reflected in the water. Sunset and sunrise are always optimum for capturing rock colors, whether I am on the ocean or in the mountains, or out in the desert. 🙂 Thanks. –Curt
Nothing better than sunset to capture colors, Crystal. Peggy and I made sure that we were down on the ocean in the late afternoon. Fortunately it also coincided with low tide while we were there. Peggy thought the same thing about the ‘sea lion’ rock. 🙂 –Curt
Would love to wander in and around those rocks and listen to the birds. Thanks for sharing the side view of the face in the rocks. So cool! We loved our brief time in Iregin — would love to return.
Hit the coast in Washington and follow it south, Sue. 🙂 Give yourself plenty of time. Preferably make the visit in spring, fall or winter to avoid the summer crowds. And enjoy! –Curt
Thanks. Adoring the Oregon Coast is an easy thing to do. 🙂 I always enjoy the historic section. of Newport. I have cousins who were raised in the town. –Curt
It’s hard not to look at sea stacks like this and think they are alive and could tell some stories if only we spoke the same language. Think of the people and things and storms they have seen and weathered. And just think how old they are!
These are very cool; they almost look like beached creatures. I enjoyed all of your posts this week (Berkeley and pets as well as this one!) We will be in Oregon briefly this summer and hope to catch some seaside scenes like this.
Thanks, Lexi. I’ve been having fun with the variety.
I’m never sure whether the ‘beached creatures’ are heading out to sea or coming in from the sea. 🙂
If you make it to Oregon and head along the coast, you will be sure to see scenes like this, depending, of course on summer fogs.
–Curt
Apologies for being so late in commenting. I love this Oregon coast series. We flew down the coast with a passing knowledge of what was there. Wish I had had these glorious posts. We might have extended our trip to see more.
I’ve been guilty of the same thing many times, Rusha, flying through an area that definitely deserved more time. Almost everywhere has something of interest. Having said that, the Oregon Coast is special. 🙂 –Curt
Wandering through Time and Place 
The geology’s fascinating, of course (not to mention the aesthetic appeal) but I must say that second photo really caught my attention. I’m sure the birds are happy to have their own little island that’s safe from at least one kind of predator.
There are a string of Islands and sea stacks along the coast that have been set aside as a refuges for sea life, Linda. Goat/Bird Island was the first, If I remember correctly, in 1936.
We’re very interested in watching these posts, Curt. We have an open invitation to visit some friends in Oregon once we are able…and your posts are making that opportunity more and more of interest. (Friends live near the city of Eugene…)
Highway 126 out of Eugene will take you right over to the coast and the charming town of Florence (the historic district along the Siuslaw River). The marina/Port of Siuslaw actually has a RV campground right on the edge of the historic town, an easy 10 minute walk. Let the fun begin! From there, you can either go north or south following the coast. It’s all beautiful. –Curt
Whetting our appetite still further!
🙂
Thanks Curt, very useful. We’ll keep all this handy for when we can eventually take up our invite
You’re welcome. Half the fun of blogging, especially travel blogging, is sharing. –Curt
With a little imagination that stacks come to life!
It’s easy to see why the Native Americans and early pioneers gave so many of them names, Andrew.
In that one picture of the sea stack looking out at the sea looks like a lion guarding the beach.
Again you have taken us on a wonderful trip. Oregon has an impressive
coast and as always nature never fails to thrill.
I especially fall for the sea stack, our imagination can create much out of
those photos. Thanks Curt and Peggy
Miriam
I’m not surprised you like the sea stacks, Miriam. A creative imagination goes along with being a poet, or any kind of artist. 🙂 –Curt
Love that tidal pic—third from the bottom. Also the colour the sunset brings out.
It was one of my favorites as well, Peggy. The contrast of the light and dark, the rocks, and the clouds reflected in the water. Sunset and sunrise are always optimum for capturing rock colors, whether I am on the ocean or in the mountains, or out in the desert. 🙂 Thanks. –Curt
The colours are great in this series, reflecting the low sun angle nicely. That reflected sea stack has the profile of a sea lion, in my opinion.
Nothing better than sunset to capture colors, Crystal. Peggy and I made sure that we were down on the ocean in the late afternoon. Fortunately it also coincided with low tide while we were there. Peggy thought the same thing about the ‘sea lion’ rock. 🙂 –Curt
Peggy sounds wicked smart
Sh. Don’t tell her.
Gorgeous photos!
Would love to wander in and around those rocks and listen to the birds. Thanks for sharing the side view of the face in the rocks. So cool! We loved our brief time in Iregin — would love to return.
You are welcome, Rusha. It is a beautiful state. –Curt
Meant to say Oregon
What a fantastic place to spend the day exploring. Thanks for taking us there!
You’re welcome, Kelly. It’s gorgeous up and down the Oregon Coast. Like Lake Tahoe. –Curt
A road trip to visit my brother in California is long overdue. Hoping one day soon we can make that trek and see this beauty for ourselves.
Hit the coast in Washington and follow it south, Sue. 🙂 Give yourself plenty of time. Preferably make the visit in spring, fall or winter to avoid the summer crowds. And enjoy! –Curt
Oh these images! Just breathtaking Curt.
Thanks, Sylvia. The sea stacks are indeed impressive. –Curt
I adore the Oregon Coast. Fantastic pictures!! I”m actually planning to write a post about Newport soon, that town holds a special place in my heart.
Thanks. Adoring the Oregon Coast is an easy thing to do. 🙂 I always enjoy the historic section. of Newport. I have cousins who were raised in the town. –Curt
It’s hard not to look at sea stacks like this and think they are alive and could tell some stories if only we spoke the same language. Think of the people and things and storms they have seen and weathered. And just think how old they are!
Just maybe on a dark night, if you listen carefully… 🙂
These are very cool; they almost look like beached creatures. I enjoyed all of your posts this week (Berkeley and pets as well as this one!) We will be in Oregon briefly this summer and hope to catch some seaside scenes like this.
Thanks, Lexi. I’ve been having fun with the variety.
I’m never sure whether the ‘beached creatures’ are heading out to sea or coming in from the sea. 🙂
If you make it to Oregon and head along the coast, you will be sure to see scenes like this, depending, of course on summer fogs.
–Curt
Apologies for being so late in commenting. I love this Oregon coast series. We flew down the coast with a passing knowledge of what was there. Wish I had had these glorious posts. We might have extended our trip to see more.
I’ve been guilty of the same thing many times, Rusha, flying through an area that definitely deserved more time. Almost everywhere has something of interest. Having said that, the Oregon Coast is special. 🙂 –Curt
And your photos bring it to life for those of us who’ve only seen it in passing.
Always a hope of mine. 🙂