One of the signature sea stacks along the Oregon Coast, the Haystack Rock towers 235 feet above the beach, seemingly reaching out to the sky from the bottom of the Pacific Ocean. Along with its proximity to the city of Portland, this rock formation has contributed in making Cannon Beach a tourist destination. It is very accessible from the beach and one can walk right up to it during low tide. The saying, "you can look but you better not touch" applies to this iconic rock formation. It is protected, as it is a national wildlife refuge and one of seven protected intertidal areas along the Oregon coast. My favorite time in shooting it is at sunrise when the beach is not crowded. The morning glow starts at the very top of the rock and slowly moves down to bathe the full rock.