The Legend of Face Rock

This section of the beach in Bandon is named for Face Rock, which comes with a legend: Many tribes had gathered at the beach for a big potlatch to honor the gods. The visiting tribes were warned of an evil spirit in the ocean. But the daughter of a mountain tribe didn't listen. By the light of the moon, she snuck to the ocean with her dog, and her basket of baby racoons (I've also heard kittens, but I like the idea of a basket of racoons).  She was enticed into the glimmering water, swimming out further and further in the moonlight, her dog barking frantically.  Suddenly a black shadow passed over the moon, and the evil spirit of the water grabbed hold of her, her basket of racoons, and her trusty dog. The next morning the tribes looked in vane for the girl. As the mist cleared, a series of rocks became visible in the water: the daughter, her face gazing toward the setting moon, the basket of racoons (there is a rocky outcropping just to the right of her, I hadn't heard the legend when I took this shot or I would have included it), and her dog barking on the shore (I'm not sure which rock this would be, but it doesn't looks like I got that one either). It's a good legend, I think, with all the proper lessons: healthy fear of the water, listen to your wise elders, and the moon has something to do with the tide. That's it in summary. If you're interested in reading more detailed (and better written) versions, an online search should provide you with some entertaining reading.

Linking to Weekend Reflections.

Tide Pools

It was a half mile walk down the beach from our hotel to Face Rock, and because the labyrinth drawing always coincides with low tide (and we were heading to the labyrinth), we got to see lots of interesting tide pools along the way.  The biggest tide pools form around the rock formations, but these little pools had such an interesting pattern and texture that I wanted to include them in a beach scene. 

Low Tide

Early morning in Bandon, Oregon.  

This was the view to the south, clouds finally starting to part, low tide, 

a peaceful morning, and a lovely day to walk along the shoreline 

for some beach-combing and photo-taking. 

Coastline Dreamscape

Rockaway Beach at low tide during the thickest fog of the morning.
Very dreamy...
In a low contrast sort of way.

Bayview Jetty

A slightly foggier scene from my trip to Tillamook, Oregon yesterday.  This jetty just north of Tillamook is connected to a beautiful rock outcropping with some spindly pines growing on it; they reminded me of Monterey.  At the time I didn't see a way down to the beach, and I had trouble photographing them from my angle, but liked the way the jetty was photographing.  It's a good low tide shot, especially with that "beauty mark" rock in the distance. Later, as I was driving home, I noticed that there was a small beach accessible with a little climb, so I'll have to try that out next time...at low tide, of course!

Low Tide

I've missed a few opportunities in the past month for a low tide sunrise photo, but thought conditions would be right for a beach visit this morning.  I started out under a clear sky, following the setting blood moon until I approached the coast; then the moon disappeared behind a thick marine layer.  Sigh.  Still it's always beautiful at the beach, and Clover and I had a great time strolling around here.  I've got several photos to share from this trip; a few from the coast and a few from a sunny river hike just a little ways inland.  One of the things I liked about Rockaway Beach was the ribbon-like tide pools that formed at low tide, so that's why I came back here this morning.  In this photo, the tide had just shifted, and was starting to make its way back up the beach toward the tide pools.