The Octopus Tree
One of the most remarkable Sitka spruce trees in Oregon is the Octopus Tree. Rather than a single central trunk, its trunk-like spires are arranged radially and extend out, then skyward over 100 feet tall, giving the Octopus Tree a vase-like shape. On the cape the Octopus Tree has inhabited for over 200 years, the sounds of the surf are ever-present. And there are more than surf sounds.
When I last visited the Octopus Tree, in February 2018, above the crashing surf, I could hear the distant roar of Steller’s sea lions. I believe they had hauled out on Finley Rock, a nearby sea stack. That’s Shag behind, further offshore.
A washed up whale bone
I missed a young humpback washed up in December 2021, but on February 1, 2022, a bit of it found me. It has the look of a bone from the upper jaw.
Something special in an ordinary beachscape
A sea-green boulder stands out on a beach dimpled with drab yellowish sandstone boulders (though can they look dark green in their seaweed coats, like those in the mid-ground).
Darlingtonia
If you’ve got a botanical bucket list, Darlingtonia californica is probably on it. It’s endemic to wet places overlying serpentine soils. The Wayside in Florence is a great place to see Darlingtonia. I needn’t have worried the plants would be past their prime in September when I visited.
theoutershores 
Thanks for the walk along the Pacific shore. I can’t be there today, so this refreshes me.
Happy to hear I could fill the gap. Thanks for taking the time to have a look.
Wonderful odds and ends!
Thanks so much, Anne. I enjoyed each one in its own way. Too bad about the whale, though.
All odd Steve, especially to those of us who don’t often see the Oregon coast. I suspect many locals have not seen these sights either! Thanks for joining us – loved the darlingtonia!
Hi Tina, I think you’re right. I had wanted to visit the Darlingtonia site in Florence for years, but last September was the first time!
Excellent. Finley Rock makes a great banner photo!
Thank you, John. When I look at it I can still hear the roar of its seal lions.
Awesome tree and like how you gave us so
Just setting detail – like with the distant sound of the sea lions 😉
A fabulously wild walk along the shore. I could smell the ozone.
Beautifully captured, Steve! The washed up whale bone is very special. Thank you for sharing.
For sure. The whale bone was kind of interesting because I had looked and not found the whale, then a piece of it found me. So that meant something. Thanks, Amy.
I’ll have to check out that tree. The cobra lilies are beautiful! More things I need to see on the west side of the state.
Right, Siobhan! Come on over any time. If you do, Darlingtonia blooms in the spring and the Octopus tree is a year-round photographic challenge (for me, anyway).
I have always enjoyed wonderful and informative blog! Your design and layout are very eye appealing. I call it Eye Candy. Best Regards, Dana
Thank you for a fabulous walk, Steve!
It’s my pleasure, Ann-Christine.
We visited that Darlingtonia bog near Florence some time ago, but found a lot more of them up in the Siskiyous near where we live. They seem to like it up here in the Coast Range. Looks like the wildflowers are starting to bloom. Love this time of year.
That Octopus Tree is quite a challenge to photograph. If I remember right, it’s near the squatty little lighthouse…? 😉 A bit different from your usual wrack line observations.
I’d love to check them out in the Siskiyou’s. Someday, when I’m down in that part of the state, I’ll do it! Uh oh, first I’d better brush up on my wildflowers.
Yep, you’re right. The Octopus Tree is over on Cape Meares, right off the parking lot for the lighthouse.
Some of the early wildflowers are just starting to blossom. Seems a bit early, but there should be more to come in time.
https://gunta.photos/2018/04/29/in-search-of-a-bog/
Such a beautiful part of the country.
I’m grateful for it. But we agree there are so many beautiful parts. (I’ve seen your blog!) Thank you for having a look at my odds and ends.
You are welcome. Donna
And I can honestly say I have not seen that Octopus tree. Intriguing!