Expedition Oregon

Recently I traveled to the coast of the specific area in the Steelhead region known as Oregon. It was my intention to make cursory explorations of different areas and gain a fuller understanding of the Natural History of this place.

No sooner had I arrived than I made an astonishing discovery. Lying in plain view adjacent to a walking path was an enormous fossil which I believe to be an ammonite. I attempted to place it in my collecting box but it was simply too heavy. On a future trip I shall have to be better prepared to move such specimens to my collection.



The dominant biome of the region is coniferous forest. The ground is carpeted primarily with large ferns and mosses and great trees rise up that would make any visitor feel Tiny.



Many years ago a disastrous forest fire destroyed much of the forest in one area. The noble citizens subsequently replanted and now towers such as this one are used to keep watch for tell-tale smoke. I enjoyed climbing this one but was "spoken to" by the staff for standing on the rail for a better view.



It was nearby that I also found the only steam engine I encountered the entire time I was there. It is used to move heavy logs in timber operations. Again I was "spoken to" by the staff for sitting on the exhibit.



Within the forests there are many dark salamanders. I began a course of research into the question of whether or not salamanders are ticklish. Results were inconclusive. Furthermore, any claims by my detractors that the experiments were conducted solely because I enjoyed poking their soft, smooth tummies are slanderous lies.



Many swift, clear streams run through the mountain valleys. They are home to various species of fish and invertebrates and provide habitat for a fascinating species of bird, the American Dipper.



The beaches of the coast vary in their compositions of cobbles or sand. Locations of one type of the other or any degree in between may be found. In many places great rocks rise from the sea just off the shore. Often they are covered with colonies of sea birds and in the case of the ones I viewed here, fat sea lions on the lower levels.



Sad as I was to depart this beautiful land, I was treated by one last, dramatic view as my airship passed the volcanic mountains responsible for so much of the region's character. I look forward to returning again some day and exploring further.