Oregon Coast: Part 4 - Science Center, Yaquina Head

We started out on Thursday visiting the Hatfield Marine Science Center (it's free!) in Newport. It's right by the aquarium. We were able to touch different tide pool animals as well as see a giant octopus. The volunteers there were extremely knowledgeable and answered lots of our ocean questions.

 We ate lunch at the Chowder Bowl in oceanfront Newport.

At the urging of the locals, we visited Yaquina Head - I'm so glad we did! It's both a lighthouse equipped with stunning cliffs and views as well as a nature preserve/animal refuge.

I love lighthouses!!!

 There was a bird island where thousands of cormorants (a type of bird) were nesting. They were loud!!

 The views were gorgeous.

 Those slimy gray things on that rock are all seals. It was fun to watch them through binoculars.

 Four of my favorites!

 My favorite picture of our entire trip.