Hatfield Marine Science Center Nature Trail

We love a drive down to Newport to visit HMSC and walk the nature trail - a short easy walk along Yaquina Bay.  We always follow it with a drive down the South Jetty road.

On a recent visit (November 6, 2010), there was a huge flock of ducks on the bay, mostly NORTHERN PINTAIL, with a few MALLARDS and AMERICAN WIGEON in the mix.

NORTHERN PINTAIL

AMERICAN WIGEON

Two adult BALD EAGLES appeared overhead 

ADULT BALD EAGLE

causing the entire flock of ducks to take to the air.

In the brush along the path, we spotted a SAVANNAH SPARROW (my first).

SAVANNAH SPARROW

The drive down to the South Jetty yielded even more firsts for me.  A late WHIMBREL caused me to yell STOP THE CAR.

WHIMBREL

Further down the road, we stopped to watch the SURF and WHITE WINGED SCOTERS, and also enjoyed seeing several WESTERN GREBE (identified later from the photos with help from some birding friends).

WESTERN GREBE (center) & SURF SCOTERS

I was fascinated by the way their head fits like a ball in the center of their bodies when they rest.

WESTERN GREBE

Some HARBOR SEALS waited for a scuba diver who was putting on his gear by the road.

HARBOR SEALS

The BROWN PELICANS and some CORMORANTS (PELAGIC?) preened on the rocks in their usual spot.  For some reason, I only photographed a cormorant this trip.

CORMORANT

A WESTERN GULL posed near the car with his dinner as we got ready to leave (my favorite shot of the day).

GULL WITH STARFISH

We always see something we enjoy, whether on the NATURE TRAIL or in the VISITOR's center or driving down the SOUTH JETTY.  Definitely worth the trip!