Cannon Beach - The North Coast of Oregon

The North Coast, which stretches from the Columbia River to Neskowin, possesses longer stretches of unbroken beach (due to silt deposits washed southwards from the Columbia River), a higher concentration of logging zones, and larger, but less frequent sandbar-enclosed bays. Along the coast is the city of Cannon Beach. 
Because of the low lands that exist on this region of coast, flooding is an annual problem, especially in the winter, when storms push in from the North Pacific. Sandstone cliffs occur rather sporadically in this region. This is due to relatively slow uplift rates as well as fairly constant sediment wash from the Columbia River. Future uplift from the subduction of the Juan de Fuca plate will eventually create sandstone cliffs similar to those found further south and north. The North Oregon Coast is also a part of the Graveyard of the Pacific.

The weather on the North Coast is moderate. The average low in the winter is just under 40 °F (4 °C), while the high temperature is just above 50 °F (10 °C). The average high reaches its peak in early September at 70 °F (21 °C). The most rain occurs in November and December averaging over 11 inches (28 cm) each month. July and August are the driest averaging under 2 inches (5 cm) of rain each month. Most days are cloudy or partly cloudy throughout the year. The summer has the most sun with approximately half the days sunny or partly cloudy.

Due to several factors, including climate, weather, and terrain, there is a great variety of plants within the coast region. On the microscale climate level,large trees are uncommon. This is because severe winter storms and poor soil limit the growing height of many species. Shore Pine are common in these areas. However several species of fir, pine and cedar can be found. In the North Coast region near Astoria, large tracts of land are second and third generation woodland, having been logged and replanted in the past.
Because of the salt carried inland by constant onshore winds, only the hardiest varieties of small plant can thrive close to shore. Coastal Strawberry and Pacific Silverweed are common along the coast due to their reproductive advantages and salt tolerance.
Like many forested regions of the western United States and Canada, many large species of animals can be found in the woods of the region. Most common are the Roosevelt Elk and Black-tailed Deer, as well as bobcats and North American Cougar. Likewise, smaller species, including nutrias and opossum can also be found, as well as the Townsend's Mole, which inhabits many lowland and floodplain areas.

Picture of Shore Pine Tree.
This is a file from the Wikimedia Commons.



Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach, Oregon, U.S. Digital photo by User:Postdlf taken January 4, 2005.


Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Cannon_Beach_02.jpg