Last Light on Harris Beach

Finally some sun appeared at sunset at our last evening at Harris Beach. It was a small opening and I arrived late, dropping gear, wondering where to go with the gap between the clouds for the sun rapidly closing.

Last light on rocks on the south beach

Dashed down the beach to the rock group at the very end of the beach. Tide coming in, waves crashing just in front of me on a small rock platform. Fading light on closer rocks, so I used them to frame others with that great light still there. The rock on the left has a sort of a Neanderthal profile.


Sun now behind clouds and disappearing. Looking for other possibilities, the atmosphere of gray returns, with subtle colors and a now receding tide.

Rocks with back lighting as the gray returns

Sea Birds at Harris Beach, Brookings, Oregon

Wondering on the shore, camera in hand, the enjoyment of being there is always enhanced with wildlife. I have favorite birds, and tend to shoot these more often. Here are few pictures of the birds that were around when I was shooting all those sea stacks (see below).

Oystercatchers are always great to have around. First, they have a very distinct appearance with their black bodies, white legs, orange bills and intensely orange eyes outlined in red. They are also quite vocal, with a chattering call that can be heard for a very long distance.

An Oystercatcher at Harris Beach

They are also very social birds, and usually travel in groups. The largest group I have seen so far was at Cape Flattery, with as many as 80 Oystercatchers together there (look for future post).

Oystercatchers working the rocks

Another favorite are Pelicans. When we were here at Harris Beach two years ago, there were literally thousands of California Brown Pelicans. This year showed much lower numbers, but still enough to observe and enjoy. Some were hit hard last year, and were found far inland, seemingly disoriented. Others were washing up on the beach. Many believe, as is years past, that they were victims of pesticides.

Here are two drying and pruning offshore, joined by a Double-crested cormorant.

Pelicans and a Cormorant on a "adorned" rock

Harris Beach

Harris Beach State Park, just north of Brookings, Oregon, is an ideal location for coastal photography. Direct access to beautiful beaches and rocks, wildlife and ever changing light.

Evening photography of the sea stacks is always a great pleasure. High temperatures inland usually bring fog and gray weather to the coast. Only one sunset in one week.

Sea Stacks at dusk, at the south end of the beach

Two second exposure at dusk