| Date: April 15, 2010 |
| Location Oregon Dunes Hike |
| Where: Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area |
The Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area has become one of our favorite areas to hike since moving to Elkton four years ago. In particular we enjoy starting at the Oregon Dunes Overlook parking lot. From there we like to strike off cross-country to the south over the dunes eventually getting to Tahkenitch Creek, where we take the Tahkenitch Creek Loop Trail to the beach. Next, we hike north on the beach, and then head inland on the Oregon Dunes Overlook Trail back to the parking lot.
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| Buster ready for a run in the dunes The dunes are always full of adventure, Buster gets to run full bore up and down and around. It's an ever-changing geography with the movement of the sand. The winding Tahkenitch Creek is always worth some time to pause and admire. On this trip we saw Ospreys, but on other trips we have seen Bald Eagles. We also enjoyed the songs of White Crowned Sparrows, and Spotted Towhees.
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| Buster at Tahkenitch Creek A stroll along the beach always turns up something new. The recent storms have brought in floats that were fun for Buster to attack. Sanderlings and Pacific Gulls seem to be missing, but we did see a flock of Brants fly by.
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| Buster attacks a float The return hike through the pine woods brought more bird calls, a Red-winged Blackbird in the willows of a marsh, a Northern Flicker in the forest, several Wren-tits in the thickets, and scolding Steller's Jays at the parking lot. |
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| top of the dunes |
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| view from the dunes |
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| buster and a float |
