On the Water

Astoria, Oregon ~ January 27, 2012

On a stunning, cold day, NYK Line's Neptune Leader is ready to greet river pilots on board Arrow II. Taken from Doc's on 12th Street.

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Western Grebe

Astoria, Oregon ~ December 7, 2011

I think this must be a western grebe, although it has similar features to Clark's grebe. The head looks rounder to me, but then I know so little about birds. I'm sorry the photo isn't sharper. The grebes don't come in as close to shore as some of the other birds, and they will "run" as soon as they see me. There are plenty of fish and crustaceans in the Columbia River to keep a bird like this happy.

This red-eyed water bird is part of my current water bird series. Thanks to one of the blog's readers for asking for more local water birds!

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Cormorant Colors

Astoria, Oregon ~ December 7, 2011

Cormorants are common around Astoria's waterfront pilings. Usually I see them in a dark brown or black phase. I don't know to what I should attribute this cormorant's coloration, perhaps it's a young one.

Here is the profile we most often see.

This one has a blue eye. Black cormorants I've photographed had eyes of pale, unearthly green, and I saw a photo of one with red eyes.

I liked the pattern of its feathers and the blue hues, especially near the top.

And then the surprising blue tail feathers!

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Mudhen Meal

Astoria, Oregon ~ January 13, 2012

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Ducks on the River

Astoria, Oregon ~ December 4, 2011

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Three Days Ago

Astoria, Oregon ~ January 16, 2012

Today it's been raining like crazy and the warm(er) weather has blown in, so I thought I'd post a couple more photos from one of our snow days. It's always interesting to me to see the snow on a riverfront scene.

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Snow Day #2

Astoria, Oregon ~ January 17, 2012

This is Harrison Street (with snow) at 11th Street (no snow). Eleventh street gets more traffic, and it gets the gravel as well. I took this at about 11:00 this morning.

By early afternoon there were still traces of snow in Astoria, but not that much. I guess it says something about Astoria's winter weather that the grass and azalea bush at the post office are this green in January.

I took this photo on a teeny street called Flavel that comes off of Bond Street. It's as wide as an alley and about half a block long. By tonight all the slush and water may be slick and frozen. Then again, it may just rain a lot. The weather report says there's 100% chance of precipitation tomorrow, and the temperature as I write this at 4:15 p.m. is 35 degrees. While we slop around in cold, damp streets with fading snow, Seattle, about three hours north and east, is bracing for enough of the white stuff to seriously derail their travel plans.

Here's another photo from yesterday along the River Walk facing the stoplight at 14th Street.

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Snow on the River Walk

Astoria, Oregon ~ January 16, 2012

Here's what the River Walk at 15th Street looked like at 12:31 p.m. today. We get so little snow in Astoria that streets are not maintained the way they are in places where it snows all the time. Many of us just hunker down and enjoy it through the windows.

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U.S. Navy Destroyer "Paul F. Foster"

Astoria, Oregon ~ January 13, 2012

Check out today's "Ship Report" for interesting info on the Paul F. Foster, the only inbound ship passing Astoria today. Of course, that's Astoria's Arrow II Pilot Boat.

The ship has personnel on board, but it can be tested using only remote control. What kid wouldn't like that for a toy?

This ship was used to test biofuel for propulsion, and it made a complete test run with everything working as hoped for. Hear more about all of these topics on Joanne's Ship Report podcast.

. Navy ship Paul F. Foster on Wikipedia

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Steam Locomotive Restoration Shop

Astoria, Oregon ~ December 3, 2011

Anyone familiar with Astoria will recognize this place, although it doesn't beg for your attention the way the bridge or a big ship does. The shop is situated on Marine drive just before you get to the traffic circle heading west. The photo is not elegant or artistic, but I assume that not every town has one of these along the main drag. The sign says, "Visitors Welcome." I'll have to stop in someday if the sign is still current. 

Has anyone been there?

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