Oregon Coast ~ January 29, 2012
Visitors enjoy our scenic coast at the turnout on U.S. 101 where we saw the Oswald West conservation plaque yesterday.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Monday, January 30, 2012
Four Hundred Miles of Coast
Oregon Coast south of Astoria ~ January 28, 2012
A memorable achievement. The plaque reads:
If sight of sand and sky and sea
has given respite from your daily cares
then pause to thank
OSWALD WEST
former Governor of Oregon (1911-1915)
By his foresight
nearly 400 miles of the ocean shore
was set aside for public use
from the Columbia River on the north
to the California border on the south
This marker is erected and dedicated
by the grateful citizens of Oregon
to commemorate
this outstanding achievement
in the conservation of natural resources
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Garibaldi Crab Races
Garibaldi, Oregon ~ January 29, 2012
About 60 miles down the coast from Astoria, you can witness one of the country's most unusual races. I've never been to the crab races. Can anyone clue me in?
Friday, January 27, 2012
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.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
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!
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
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!
Monday, January 23, 2012
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Thursday, January 19, 2012
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.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
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.
Monday, January 16, 2012
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.
Friday, January 13, 2012
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.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
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?
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Boat Shop
Astoria, Oregon ~ December 4, 2011
This is the boat shop at the Maritime Museum. There are a number of boats associated with the Maritime, some inside and the light ship Columbia docked in the water outside. I'm assuming this building is used for upkeep and repair, but if it's used for anything else, I'd be curious to know about it. Also, if someone can tell us about the rusty engine, that would be interesting, too. If there's a plaque, I forgot to take its picture.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Driftwood Gate
Astoria, Oregon ~ December 4, 2011
The driftwood fence from yesterday's post also has a driftwood gate. In warmer months it leads to a garden. The building, "Big Red," is a former net shed owned by Royal and Sarah Nebeker and used as Royal's painting studio. It was severely damaged in the big storm of 2008. Royal and Sarah's son Israel used the blown-out building as the setting for a video for Blind Pilot's song "Go On Say It." If you want a glance inside the building, check out the video. That's Israel lead-singing and standing on his toes.
In the comments for yesterday's post, Lee described what the pilings were for: "Some of the pilings had decking for gill netters to tie up. The large cluster had a net shed or a fish receiving station."
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
The Road from Chinook
Near Chinook, Washington ~ December 2, 2011
I'm not sure what makes the indentations down the center line - maybe it's the equipment used for paving. The pattern caught my attention in the lighting as I crossed the road to take pictures of the river and sky with the tide very low.
The outcropping is part of Fort Columbia State Park, and the long Astoria-Megler bridge is hidden behind it. The bit of land in the distance on the far right is Astoria.
Monday, January 2, 2012
Splendor in the Grass
Jewell Meadows Elk Refuge, Oregon ~ December 3, 2011
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Theme Day: "Photo of the Year 2011"
Astoria, Oregon ~ January 19, 2011
Although I've taken a lot of time off from posting this year, I came up with quite a few contenders for my favorite photo of 2011. This sunset series taken on January 19th was way up there among the most memorable for me. The "Sunset Empire" offers many opportunities for amazing evening light shows, and on this day I was in the right place at the right time. Brilliant color infused not only the sky but also the expanse of Young's Bay. The evening kept glowing and changing, and the subtleties were almost impossibly beautiful. The last of the series can be seen here with links to the three earlier posts.
Astoria, Oregon, Daily Photo is a member of City Daily Photo, a fascinating site where you can see bloggers from around the world who are committed to showcasing their cities and towns one photo per day. To celebrate the new year, many members are featuring their favorite or best photo of the year. Click here to view thumbnails for all participants.
The first of each month is Theme Day at City Daily Photo. The theme covers a wide range of topics and is voted on by the members. I don't think I've taken part in any theme days this year, but they are fun and add to the sense of community. Maybe I'll remember to try some in 2012.
May you all have a wonderful, peaceful and happy new year, and thanks so much for your interest, encouragement, and your comments!
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