Sat 5/26 South Beach, San Juan Island, WA

After our stop at Deadman Cove, we continued down to South Beach, the southernmost tip of the island. This beach is near American Camp (aka Pickett's Redoubt, a National Historic Park due to the Pig War) and Fourth of July Beach. South Beach is similar to Deadman Cove, except there are large fields of prairie land behind the beach. In the summer, it is common to see hares running in groups around these prairielands. The prairie is covered in tall, yellow grass. I learned while writing a paper about the environmental history of San Juan National Historic Park that many of these grasses were introduced by European settlers. While driving past, we spotted another Red Fox! They are common throughout the island.

Red Fox near South Beach

The beach is covered in pebble sized rocks rather than sand and each stretch is separated by a large rock formation with tide pools. The bulk head is about 40 feet of drift wood. We spotted a group of 4 White-tailed deer just behind the bulkhead in the grass!

2 White-tailed Deer in the grass

Another White-tailed Deer

We saw a lot of the same species in these tidepools that we saw at Deadman Cove.

Ricky and I looking in a tidepool


Ricky and I climbing on the rocks

Cameron on the rocks...notice the color variation?
We saw some interesting lichens (?) on the rocks near the tidepools. At least I think they are lichens? I'm not sure! I will post some pictures and see what my peers think...

Colorful "mildew" on the rocks? What is this stuff?

Some kind of seaside moss?

Is that white round splotch a fungus? Hmm...

We also saw several types of seaweed. I recognize Bullwhip Kelp...but I'm not sure of the other names? I know I'm a bit late in posting these, but maybe someone will be able to help me identify the other types of seaweed. I will also do some research.

Posted on June 5, 2012 07:24 AM by kates17