Birds and Beaches: A COASSTal Journey in the Pacific Northwest

In the summer of 2013 I ventured across the U.S. Pacific Northwest for 2 months to conduct field research with citizen scientists in the COASST (Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team) project as a part of my dissertation research in the geography department at the University of SC. This blog chronicles my travel along the coasts of 3 states (WA, OR, CA) and invites you to follow along the stories of the places I visited, the people I met, and the beautiful world around me.

Saturday, August 24, 2013

Bidding Adieu

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My dog, Harmony provided a warm welcome upon my return With the rocky coasts and ocean breezes of the West Coast still fresh in my min...
Tuesday, August 20, 2013

End of the Road

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This beautiful sunset at Arcata Marsh enveloped me on the last night of travel in southern California. It was a fitting end to a spectacu...

Gem of a Marsh

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Red-shouldered  Hawk I couldn’t visit the Arcata/Eureka area of northern California and not raise my glass to the City of Arcata’s inno...
Monday, August 19, 2013

Finding their Niche

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Long-billed Dowitchers (small, on left) and Marbled Godwits (large, on right) have uniquely shaped bills which allow these separate spec...

Fitting Encounter

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Pileated Woodpecker making quick work of this downed Redwood in the Arcata Community Forest, Arcata (CA) How fitting that as I near t...
Sunday, August 18, 2013

Domino Effect

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Just in this one picture of Arcata Marsh, a curious mind might initiate a domino effect of questions. What types of clouds are on the hori...
Saturday, August 17, 2013

It is true...

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It is true what they say about the Redwoods of California. Everyone should see them at least once in a lifetime. I got a visit (hopeful...

Communal Bunch

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Community isn't  just important for these Marbled Godwits , seen today while visiting Arcata Marsh.  As Doug and Linda reminded me, ...
Friday, August 16, 2013

From Cormorants and Common Murres to CETACEANS???

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I realize this isn't going to win any National Geographic photography contests, but this picture clearly shows the whale spout (red ...

Deep Bird Language

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It comes as no surprise that many COASST participants are lifelong observers of wildlife. A number of volunteers come with an extensive h...
Thursday, August 15, 2013

Dedication to Data

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Fortunately, COASSTers do not have to identify patterns in large flocks of live birds, like this mixed group of shorebirds on John and Joy...

Natural Chorus

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Image by Michale S. Fee I must admit that second only to meeting with the wonderful COASSTers along the Pacific Coast during my travel...
Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Reciprocal Relationships

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While visiting with retired south Oregon COASSTers Wade and Vivian today, I was able to check out Sunset Bay, the state-supported beach ...
Tuesday, August 13, 2013

WOW

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Good evening from Bandon By-the-Sea!

Scientific Citizenship

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Like many of the beaches on the Oregon coast this time of year, Karen's site (Seven Devils Wayside) is filled with undulating dunes...
Monday, August 12, 2013

West Coast Residents

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Oregon Islands NWR - Coquille Point Unit I think this guy was just as interested in me as I was in him. Such a beautiful bird! No...
Sunday, August 11, 2013

Toast to COASST Champions

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Not long ago, Dr. Julia Parrish, COASST Executive Director, received a major national honor on behalf of the staff and hundreds of volun...

Earning My Wings

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The color patterns on the wing of this Gull don't look like those Diane and Dave typically see on their beach (Western Gull),  lea...

Why Dead Birds?

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Dotted with Cormorants, Gulls, and Common Murres, this nesting site near Florence, OR provides a nice example of  the steep and remote ...
Saturday, August 10, 2013

Washed Ashore

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Lidia the Seal Henry the Giant Fish Not long ago I wrote about the alarming problem our oceans face when it comes to marine debri...

Serious Leisure

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Rick is now able to pinpoint subtle hints in order to ID a bird, like the slight white secondary wing-tips on this Common Murre we foun...
Friday, August 9, 2013

Hats Off to Hatfield Partnerships

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I was lucky enough to stop by Oregon State University’s impressive Hatfield Marine Science Center (HMSC) today to check out the center ...

Corvid Companions

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As I made my way south through Oregon today towards my next stop in Bandon, I enjoyed the company of two Crows while stopping briefly...
Thursday, August 8, 2013

Blue, then Gray

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My walk on Roads End Beach started with blue skies Fog is essentially a cloud at ground level, made up of condensed water droplets th...
Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Towering Trees to Ripples of Sand

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Brown Creeper One of the things I’ve come to appreciate about the coastline of the Pacific Northwest is the vast biodiversity found wit...
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