Signs of Spring

Astoria, Oregon ~ February 15, 2012

Guest Photographer: Jessika Robinson

I've been looking at rain and feeling the cold for the past two days, but it was a beautiful day on Wednesday when Jessika took my camera for a walk.

OK, this is weird. The photo was supposed to be rotated 45 degees counterclockwise, and Blogger keeps changing it. I've encountered this once before and eventually fixed it, but I don't remember how. Any ideas?

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Franciscovich Building: Under A Blue Sky

Astoria, Oregon ~ February 15, 2012

Guest Photographer: Jessika Robinson

One of the many cool things about Astoria is the named buildings in our downtown area. Located on Marine Drive at 16th Street, this one is just outside the nucleus of the congregation of commercial buildings that line Commercial Street, Duane, and part of Marine Drive. It housed Hauer's Cyclery & Locksmith for many years, and now it's the home of the Bach 'n Rock music store. I have to admit I didn't recognize the upper facade of the Franciscovich Building when my guest photographer showed it to me. The building was constructed, as most of downtown Astoria was, after the Great Fire of 1922. The Franciscovich dates from 1925.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Early Spring

Astoria, Oregon ~ February 15, 2012

Guest Photographer: Jessika Robinson

Today our guest photographer, Jessika, walked up 16th Street from the River Walk to Clatsop Community College. Along the way she found this gorgeous pink rhododendron that decided to open although it's only the middle of February.

Thanks, Jessika, for the lovely photo. Stay tuned for more!

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Above and Below

Astoria, Oregon ~ February 14, 2012

This may be a training session in progress, as the pilot boat is also on scene (below) for any necessary transfer of pilots. I've heard that ships' pilots are sometimes transferred by helicopter at sea or on the bar when it's too rough for a boat to come alongside the ship. I remember hearing at one time that helicopter transfers were to become routine, but I don't know what happened to that idea. I wonder which method is more dangerous. I can imagine which is more expensive. Here in the river, waters are quite calm today.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

A Sight for Sore Eyes

Astoria, Oregon ~ February 6, 2012

I find the pilot boats a joy to look at any day. The bright orange Columbia caught my attention this morning, and I'd never realized until I saw my photo that she was shiny turquiose below the waterline.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

What's Happening at Shallon Winery?

Astoria, Oregon,  ~ January 31, 2012

It seems you can always find scaffolding on one or two of the buildings around Astoria. Buildings need maintenance, and maybe especially in damp climates. One of the buildings I posted last November finally had it scaffold removed to expose its beautiful new exterior. Recently I noticed this scaffolding on the side of the Shallon Winery. What will we see when it finally comes down? New paint? A mural? In Astoria, one never knows. 

You can't tell from this angle, but the street entrance to this building is halfway up its height on the other side, on Duane Street. Street level is the top floor, which is not too surprising in Astoria, but may seem unusual to people who live in flat country. The second photo in this post will show you some of Astoria's unique and famous construction.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Sunrise on the Riverwalk

Astoria, Oregon ~ February 2, 2012

Sometimes the Sunset Empire can also be the Sunrise Empire.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Goosebox

Astoria, Oregon ~ May 8, 2011

I've been intending to post this wooden goose since I took the photo last May. Today is a good day for it, since it's the first of the month when participants at City Daily Photo join together in a theme. Today's theme is "Animals." Pop on over and enjoy animals from around the world. Click here to view thumbnails for all participants.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.