Oregon Coast Photo Gallery
Amazing Scenery From One Of Americas Most Iconic Coastlines
The Oregon Coast
Whether you are a lover of adventure, landscapes, nature, wildlife, lighthouses, or bridges, the Oregon Coast has something for you. It is on the bucket list of almost every photographer I know and, after making my first visit up the coast, it’s easy to see why!
With my base in the lovely town of Newport, I concentrated on the coastline from Heceta Head in the south to Cannon Beach in the north. I know there are many more features to see and photograph – interior waterfalls, south to Bandon, and north to Cape Disappointment. When I am able to photograph those areas on future trips I will certainly add them here!
All images are ©Copyright: Rich Rijnders Photography
Haystack Rock Beach Reflection
Cannon Beach, OR
One of the first places people think of when they talk of the Oregon Coast is Cannon Beach. A beautiful town with fine restaurants and entertainment, large, open beaches and, of course, the iconic Haystack Rock. It rises 235 ft from the edge of the shoreline and even hosts Tufted Puffins from early spring to mid-summer.
An afternoon storm and receding tide produce a clean reflection of Haystack Rock with beautiful color and patterns in the sand. The sun setting behind Haystack Rock and The Needles adds some additional color and drama to the image.
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Rainy Sunset at Haystack Rock
Cannon Beach, OR
After raining most of the afternoon, the storm let up just as the sun was setting behind Haystack Rock, making for a dramatic mood. I took the shot with people in the foreground to give some scale to this enormous formation. It’s easy to see why this location is so popular.
The smaller formations on the left are known as The Needles. Though smaller than Haystack Rock, they are beautiful to see and photograph in their own right.
Heceta Head Lighthouse South Pano
Florence, OR
One of the most popular lighthouses on the Oregon Coast is the Heceta Head Lighthouse. Its position high up on the cliffs of the Heceta Head outcrop make it very visually stunning and photographically interesting from a variety of viewing locations.
This image was taken at sunrise from a hiking position up the hill, almost level with the top of the lighthouse. The view is looking south past the lighthouse, over Cape Cove and toward Devils Elbow.
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Heceta Head Lighthouse West Banded Sky
Florence, OR
The sunrise on this morning was blocked by clouds to the east, but when I turned west, a slight banded glow was visible for a short while near the horizon that lined up with the lighthouse nicely.
The lighthouse on Heceta Head Point is a popular destination even though the lighthouse itself is a good uphill hike from the parking area. The old lighthouse keeper’s house has been turned into a beautiful bed and breakfast facility and weddings are a frequent sight at the light house and down on the beach below.
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Heceta Head Lighthouse And Keepers Residence
Florence, OR
From across Cape Cove, a wider view of Heceta Head Lighthouse and Keepers Residence nestled into the picturesque landscape shows why this location is so popular among photographers and artists. The Inn Keepers house on the right is now a bed-and-breakfast and hosts weddings for those lucky enough to get on the limited schedule.
(click image to enlarge)
Yaquina Bay Bridge at Sunrise
Yaquina Head, Newport OR
(Below) On the south side of Newport, OR, is the picturesque Yaquina Bay Bridge. If you are lucky enough to be there when low tide and sunrise coincide, take a short hike down to the waters edge where the exposed bedrock and moss become almost iridescent in the morning glow and the tide pools reflect the colors of the sky and the silhouette of the bridge.
Yaquina Bay Bridge Morning Sun Star
A closeup of the south tower of the bridge at sunrise and low tide.
Yaquina Bay Gull with Crab
Low tide under the Yaquina Bay Bridge at sunrise affords a gull the opportunity to snag a nice crab for breakfast.
Seal Rock Receding Tide
Seal Rock Beach, Oregon U.S.A.
Seal Rock Beach is another iconic location that is a must visit for photographers and adventurers. The tide moves fast and strongly, however; so be sure to time your excursions well and always keep an eye on incoming waves and currents.
Here, the receding tide exposes the beautiful hues of sealife. On the rocks in the background you can see the line showing how high the tide normally rises, so don’t be standing down here when the tide comes back!
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Seal Rock Beach Dreamy Island
(below)
A bit of a longer exposure during the receding tide gives this image a dreamy island feel.
Yaquina Head Lighthouse Upshot
Standing 93 feet (28 m) tall, the Yaquina Head Lighthouse stands on the cliffs near the mouth of the Yaquina River near Newport. It is the tallest lighthouse in Oregon. The light was made in Paris in 1868 and shipped to Oregon. The light was first lit in 1873.
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Yaquina Head Lighthouse Workhouse Reflection
This building attached to the light tower is actually known as the “Workhouse”. It is not a keepers residence. There have been several residences and out buildings built on the property over the lights 150 years, the last of which was demolished in 1984. Still the workhouse remains and in this image reflects the sunrise colors in its window glass. I wonder how many wonderful sunrises have been reflected in these windows during the last 150 years.
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Yaquina Head Lighthouse from Cobble Beach
100 feet below the Yaquina Head Lighthouse is Cobble Beach; so named because it is completely covered by baseball-sized black cobble stones. There is a path and stairs allowing access to the beach from the parking area, but at low-tide you will have to climb down the final few meters.
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Yaquina Head Lighthouse Blue Hour
On this afternoon I sat around in the rain for several hours hoping to get a good image of the lighthouse. Several times I almost packed up my gear to head for a nice warm fire. But I am ever an optimist and just around sunset there was a break in the rains and just after the sun went down I captured this image. It turned out to be one of my favorite images.
Yaquina Head Lighthouse Storm
A break in a rain storm gave me just enough time to set up my gear and get this shot near sunset. There was still some drizzle in the air but the light coming through the clouds on the horizon gives the image a calm feeling with just a bit of tension.