Secrets of the Oregon Dunes

How Did All That Sand Get Here Anyway?

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RECENT PHOTOS. Hover over thumbnails to view large photos. [View archives: 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1]

Sand blows down from the north (top of photo), covering large sections of a forest. Photo by Dina Pavlis, Oregon Dunes, October 3, 2011.

Wind-blown dunes push up against coastal hills. Dunes exist only where the coastline is flat (allowing sand to blow inland). This is why dunes exist only along 45% of the Oregon Coast (broken up into four separate areas of the coastline). In areas where cliffs rise up near beaches, sand is unable to blow inland; this prevents dunes from forming. Photo by Cliff Harvey, Dunes Near Baker Beach (north of Florence, Oregon), August 12, 2003.

The top of a tall dune provides a nice ocean view on a misty Fall day. Photo by Dina Pavlis, Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, October 3, 2011.

The Steller's Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri) is native to western North America. Their striking blue color excites visitors who are lucky to see them. The most interesting thing about the Steller's Jay is that they have been known to imitate the cries of the Red-tailed Hawk and Red-shouldered Hawk to drive other birds away from their feeding areas. Photo by Dina Pavlis, Oregon Dunes Day Use Area.

Pink flowers add a delightful contrast to a beautiful blue pond. Photo by Dina Pavlis, Oregon Dunes, September 2, 2010.

Wind and rain create amazing sculptures on the dunes. Photo by Dina Pavlis, Oregon Dunes Day Use Area, April 3, 2009.

The tops of buried trees rise from the sand. Photo by Dina Pavlis, Oregon Dunes, October 3, 2011.

A Red-legged Frog (Rana aurora) sits perfectly still in a shallow seasonal pond. Photo by Dina Pavlis, Oregon Dunes, September 2, 2010.

It is not uncommon to stumble upon a dramatic scene, such as this one, when hiking on the Oregon Dunes. Photo by Dina Pavlis, October 3, 2011.

Different colors of sand create a spectacular picture against a darkened sky. Photo by Dina Pavlis, Oregon Dunes, October 3, 2011.

Water, wind and moving sand create beautiful sculptures on the dunes. Photo by Dina Pavlis, Oregon Dunes, October 3, 2011.

These dunes border Sutton Creek near Florence, Oregon. The creek has cut a large slice out of the sand. Then, rain and wind cut into the sand to create this interesting sculpture. Photo by Dina Pavlis, May 27, 2008.

The rise of a tall dune blocks out sun and clouds. Photo by Dina Pavlis, Oregon Dunes, October 3, 2011.

Hardhack (Spiraea douglasii) is common around lakes and ponds on the dunes. Clusters of pink flowers create spires that bloom in early summer and persist into late summer. They are a striking blast of color out on the dunes and always fun to see. This photo was taken in September when the flowers were starting to perish. Photo by Dina Pavlis, Oregon Dunes, September 6, 2010.