PERAGRINE FALCONS AT CAPE MEARES

We took a drive yesterday afternoon, on a nice sunny day, that took us north to Cape Meares along the 3 capes road, then over to Tillamook, before returning to Pacific City. So far, one of the best things about this trip, is the fact that we're trying to explore areas and roads where we have never been. Yesterday was a good example of that. The 3 capes road along the coast is very scenic, with small communities like Tierra del Mar, Netarts and Oceanside, along the way. At Cape Meares, almost due west from Tillamook, we stumbled upon the Cape Meares Lighthouse, and a viewing platform, across an inlet, where a pair of breeding Peregrine Falcons were raising 4 chicks. The nest was about 400 feet up on a vertical cliff, and a volunteer with a spotting scope was on the platform, answering questions about the falcons, and other birds within view. This volunteer and his wife were workampers, who donated 20 hours a week, in exchange for their RV spot in a nearby state park. They were enjoying the sharing of their knowledge of the falcons with us, and others. I'm most certainly not a birdwatcher, but it was really interesting to hear about the Peregrine Falcon, and it's comeback from being perilously close to extinction.
Today, I think we'll drive back to Tillamook, (about 15-20 miles), and check out the air museum, which is housed in a WWII blimp hanger.