Puffins and Such

Sandy sandals, rocky beaches, crab boils, grilled prawns, coastal birds and lots of family time. So much to love. Alas, the time comes when suitcases must be reloaded, the fridge is cleaned out and the car is filled with gas for the long, long trip home. As the old adage states, “It is better to leave wanting more than waiting impatiently for something to end.” (Actually, I think I made that one up, but, oh well.)

Here are a few more pics.

Everything on a beach is fascinating to this landlocked lady. My photo does no justice to this purplish cnidarian. I knew not to touch it but it did not mind being photographed.

My daughter and I got obsessed with sighting a puffin. It was a big challenge because the best place to spot them is at a colony two hours north of where we were staying. That did not deter our hopefulness. E-bird alerted us that there were sightings in our area and this was one of the rocky areas we scrambled around on in our quest. No puffins but we did meet a family from Sioux Falls. What are the odds? Apparently, better than seeing a puffin.

We spent an afternoon at the Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport. We watched otters and seals being fed, touched tidal pool creatures, took pictures of the jellyfish tube and poked around at all things of the sea.

Not surprisingly, my only pictures from the Aquarium were from the sea birds exhibit. This is an Oystercatcher. His beak looks more dramatic than it really is due to the way the light caught the bright orange color. Laser bird!

We finally succeeded! A puffin! They were always on the move so my photo is a bad action shot.

Our hotel in Sisters, Oregon, had a herd of alpacas near it. The joys of travel.

The view from my morning walk in Sisters. Soon enough, it is back in the car to grind out more miles, snacks at the ready.