Astoria, Oregon, Daily Photo

On the Water

2012-01-27T16:31:00.000-08:00

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

2012-01-25T11:29:00.000-08:00

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

2012-01-24T18:58:00.000-08:00

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

2012-01-23T22:28:00.001-08:00

Astoria, Oregon ~ January 13, 2012

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Ducks on the River

2012-01-21T15:06:00.000-08:00

Astoria, Oregon ~ December 4, 2011

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Three Days Ago

2012-01-19T16:50:00.000-08:00

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

2012-01-17T16:19:00.000-08:00

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

2012-01-16T17:15:00.000-08:00

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"

2012-01-13T15:32:00.000-08:00

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

2012-01-12T13:07:00.000-08:00

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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Boat Shop

2012-01-10T12:58:00.000-08:00

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.

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Driftwood Gate

2012-01-07T12:32:00.000-08:00

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."

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Cool Driftwood Fence along the River Walk

2012-01-05T13:23:00.000-08:00

Astoria, Oregon ~ December 4, 2011

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The Road from Chinook

2012-01-03T13:48:00.000-08:00

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.

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Splendor in the Grass

2012-01-02T10:58:00.000-08:00

Jewell Meadows Elk Refuge, Oregon ~ December 3, 2011

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Theme Day: "Photo of the Year 2011"

2012-01-01T11:08:00.000-08:00

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!

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Christmas Day on Commercial Street

2011-12-30T11:20:00.000-08:00

Astoria, Oregon ~ December 25, 2011

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Ilwaco Cemetery

2011-12-21T11:44:00.000-08:00

Near Ilwaco, Washington ~ December 2, 2011

One of our goals for the visit to the other side of the river was to help some people on Find-A-Grave.com locate their relatives. I got some nice photos in the beautiful late-afternoon light (Cold day, though! Very cold.) but due to bad planning on my part, we may have missed the one they wanted most. Lee tromped all over the cemetery looking for a particular name that I hadn't had the foresight to locate before we left. Actually, the marker may not be there, as others had failed to find it. So, that's a mystery to follow up on - an excuse to go back to Ilwaco on another beautiful day (with better planning).

I did take some really nice pix of markers for the graves that we did find and soon I'll be uploading them to Find-A-Grave. This is a cool web site where you can locate your ancestors, relatives, genealogical search subjects, or conversely, supply photos and information for others looking for someone departed in your part of the country. You can enter requests for photos and info from far-away locations, or you can put yourself on an e-mail list to find graves of people in your area.

January 1, 2012: I've just discovered "Taphophile Tragics" thanks to Clytie, so am linking this post to it today. Thanks, Julie, this should be interesting!

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Over the Hump

2011-12-20T13:57:00.000-08:00

Astoria-Megler Bridge to Washington ~ December 2, 2011

I may have shown this view at some time in the past on Astoria, Oregon, Daily Photo, but it's always a thrill to see that wide expanse in front of you and wish you could drive 100 miles an hour over the hump and down the other side. Let me guess - I'm sure some of you have done it, but you don't have to admit it! Today we were just enjoying the view. The tide was low and the sand bar was in full view. On either side of the bridge you can just see dramatic ripples in the mud. I'll post another photo on another day showing them more clearly.

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Young's Bay Bridge, Evening Gray

2011-12-19T13:42:00.000-08:00

Astoria, Oregon ~ November 12, 2009

Typical winter colors around here, although taken a couple of years ago. Young's Bay blends with the 4-mile-wide Columbia River somewhere in the right-hand side of this photo.

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2011-12-18T12:22:00.000-08:00

December 2, 2011

The Megler end of the Astoria-Megler bridge is still under wraps due to painting.

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Expansive

2011-12-16T13:47:00.000-08:00

Near Chinook, Washington ~ December 2, 2011

When it's a nice day here in the Pacific Northwest, it can be glorious. We'd just crossed the 4-plus-mile Astoria-Megler Bridge and were on our way to Ilwaco, Washington.

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Coast Guard Training on a Cold River

2011-12-14T14:37:00.000-08:00

Astoria, Oregon ~ December 14, 2011

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Red-breasted Sapsucker

2011-12-13T12:43:00.000-08:00

Jewell Meadows, Oregon ~ December 3, 2011

Here's another of the critters living in Jewell Meadows besides the elk seen in an earlier post. I couldn't have told you what a sapsucker was until I looked it up, but a sapsucker is a kind of woodpecker. The "woodpecker" part I could have guessed. Take a look at his handiwork on that tree! The red-breasted sapsucker lives all along the West Coast of North America from the southern tip of Alaska to Baja California in Mexico.

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Saloon and Store in Olney

2011-12-12T17:49:00.000-08:00

Olney, Oregon ~ December 3, 2011

The gas pumps at this store probably saved our tails on the way back to Astoria from elk-watching near Jewell. We were so enthralled with the scenery and conversation we weren't paying attention. . . . I'm sure many of my readers know this place.

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Gray Day

2011-12-10T15:56:00.000-08:00

Astoria, Oregon ~ November 21, 2011

Although I took this photo on November 21st, it could almost be today. After days of cold sunshine, it's been raining and everything outside my window is deep gray.

I don't mind, but I had thought of taking product photos today for my online store, and the lighting didn't cooperate. My overhead "daylight" fluorescent does a pretty good job, but it helps to have some light from the window. I guess I'll take the day off and get the photos another time.

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Craig W. Holznagel Memorial Wayside

2011-12-09T12:09:00.000-08:00

Jewell Meadows Wildlife Area, Oregon ~ December 3, 2011

Of course, this beautifully-situated tree with Saddle Mountain in the background is what first caught my attention. It's an idyllic setting, and we have a chance to see Saddle Mountain from the side opposite the one usually seen from the Astoria area.

Then I noticed there was something beneath the tree. In its scenic and exclusive location is a memorial to Craig W. Holznagel who died at the age of 42. The plaque indicates that he must have loved the elk here. The text told me that the plaque was a collaboration between Craig's family, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Oregon Wildlife Heritage Foundation. I figured I could learn more about Craig when I got home and looked him up online. Not so. The only places where I found his name either wanted to charge $39.95 for information that might not be relevant or a monthly fee for something similar.

With such a prominent memorial, I thought there should be more. Can any of you help me with this? I'll post the information on this blog and Craig will be able to be discovered from today forward. Thanks!

By the way, I've added some links to the post about the Chinese junk, Flying Dragon.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Chinese Junk: Colorful Boat, Colorful History

2011-12-07T10:43:00.000-08:00

Astoria, Oregon ~ December 4, 2011

While it's unusual to see a Chinese junk on the Astoria waterfront, it's not the first time this little fishing sailboat has been here. Details of the junk, Flying Dragon, can be seen in this ad and also in this one as she is shown and described for potential buyers.

Thanks to info from Joanne Rideout, the Commodore Hotel, Elleda Rhiannon Wilson, Twitter, and Facebook, I learned that the boat was rescued off of Clatsop Spit by the Coast Guard on Monday after the junk had taken on an awfully big drink of the ocean.

Both of the links below are fascinating and full of information. The podcast link will tell you more about the Flying Dragon and The Ship Report is always a great source of info about current shipping events.

. The Ship Report podcast by Joanne Rideout

. The Ship Report Web site by Joanne Rideout.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Roosevelt Elk

2011-12-06T12:37:00.000-08:00

Jewell Meadows Wildlife Area, Oregon ~ December 3, 2011

Our local Roosevelt elk are certainly among nature's most majestic creatures. Almost the size of domestic cows, they are quite a bit larger than deer. Check out the video on this page to see them in action and listen to a description of the reserve. We did not see the herd of hundreds described - only a dozen or fewer were grazing the area on the day we were there, but I have seen them in huge herds much nearer home. Only about five miles down the road they used to congregate on the land that has now become Home Depot, Costco, and Goodwill, among other big boxes. I've also seen them near the airport and the UPS office just across Youngs Bay. Here the elk would swim in the bay around the fencing and get inside the fenced area to graze. It was quite a sight.

I haven't been out to UPS or the airport recently. Does anyone know if the elk still congregate there since the new stores have come in?

There are several places in Oregon along certain highways where you can pull into a viewing area and watch the herds forming in the evenings. As it turned out, we had a beautiful day on which to enjoy elk-watching. Not the least of my enjoyment was the beauty of the area with its back-lit bright-green mossy trees.

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Jewell Meadows

2011-12-04T20:16:00.000-08:00

Jewell Meadows Wildlife Area, Oregon ~ December 3, 2011

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Munching on Brunch

2011-12-02T11:39:00.000-08:00

Astoria, Oregon ~ December 2, 2011

Yesterday I posted a photo of a newly-arrived bufflehead duck. Today I'm watching the mallards feeding. This female has just found a yummy morsel under the water and hauled it up. Shortly after I took this picture, the tide was out far enough that the ducks could stand on the concrete and nibble without dunking their heads.

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First Bufflehead

2011-12-01T16:02:00.000-08:00

Astoria, Oregon ~ November 28, 2011

I don't know when our winter friends, the bufflehead ducks, are supposed to arrive here, but this was the first one I've noticed this year. It's not the first one I've posted on this blog. For more buffleheads, click on the label below.

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Oswald West

2011-11-28T14:52:00.000-08:00

Oswald West State Park ~ October 29, 2005

About 45 minutes or so down the highway and a short hike in on a paved trail. . . .

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Disharmonious

2011-11-26T11:33:00.000-08:00

Astoria, Oregon ~ November 25, 2011

The colors clash in this photo taken yesterday at what's left of the 6th Street Pier. They go with the mood. The destruction is equally as complete on the other side of the pier, but I chose to post this picture today since I was initially focused on the ship, which seemed to be much closer to land than I usually see them at this point. It may be an illusion. When seen from even a block further onshore, the ships look terribly close. They recede visually as you approach the waterline. I don't remember when the viewing platform received this coat of paint, but I much preferred the previous look, which blended better with the natural and man-made elements.

The Cannery Cafe is gone (burned beyond saving in that horrendous fire and now razed by heavy equipment) which all makes me feel sad, but the condos slated for that space of open water were put on hold in 2008 when the economy tanked. I can't say I'm sorry about that. Astoria's setting and vistas are what give it its charm. The rest is gravy.

The ship is Power Loong, registered in Panama.

. The old platform colors

. Wind and flags: One of my favorite photos of the pier

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Looking Shiny

2011-11-23T13:58:00.000-08:00

Astoria, Oregon ~ November 22, 2011

For a couple of years (seems like, anyway) this lovely old Victorian on Harrison Street has been under exterior renovation. I noticed yesterday that it is now free of scaffolding and the old gray paint has been replaced with a whole new scheme. This could be Part 2 in a series of pumpkins between holidays. See yesterday's post here if you missed it.

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A Pumpkin between Holidays

2011-11-22T16:46:00.000-08:00

Astoria, Oregon ~ November 22, 2011

For several weeks now I've been eyeing this fat pumkin outside the Astoria Co-op. I mean, how can you miss it? Girth aside, it looks comfortably settled on the hard concrete. Does it worry about being cold? Is it happy to be singled out because of its size to have a life beyond the vegetable baskets inside the store? To be singled out because of its unique shape to be an object of attention? Will it be cast away or eaten when the holiday is over? I anthropomorphize and I wonder. What else are you going to do when an object like this becomes part of your landscape?

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Yellow Leaves and Rain

2011-11-21T14:19:00.000-08:00

Astoria, Oregon ~ November 21, 2011

14th Street and the River Walk

For those who don't know Astoria, 14th Street intersects the River Walk (next to the trolley tracks), while Marine Drive runs parallel to the River Walk and the tracks.

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Getting Ready to Remember Summer

2011-11-19T17:33:00.000-08:00

Astoria, Oregon ~ June 25, 2011

Photo by Parker Ivanoff

It's been very cold here with pouring rain and sometimes-very-gusty winds . . . and it's just the beginning. Although I love winter here in Astoria, there will be many days I'll reflect not only on the colors of summer, but on the fruit that won't be available in the co-op until next spring. I'm getting hungry. Many thanks to Parker for loaning today's photo for the blog.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

I Love This!

2011-11-17T11:59:00.000-08:00

Astoria, Oregon ~ November 17, 2011

One of my favorite light-and-color combinations was happening on the water this morning - dark, gloomy background and bright foreground; the colors brought out by this lighting are superb. Even the dark water takes on a new palette. I'm sure I've posted some variation of it before, but it always seems new and exciting. A few minutes later, all was gray and rainy. Now the sun is coming out again. I love changeable days. I've been watching those ferns that cling to the base of the radio tower. They're still bright and beautiful.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Rain on Fall Leaves

2011-11-16T13:01:00.000-08:00

Astoria, Oregon ~ November 15, 2011

Fall is not only in the air, it's also on the ground at the post office. Although this photo could be anywhere, for me it feels like Astoria - our own brand of damp leaves, the grass still living and green in November, and the pebbled wet sidewalks. . . .

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Where Cecil Lives

2011-11-15T13:26:00.000-08:00

Astoria, Oregon ~ November 14, 2011

The other day, I showed you a picture of a long trailer with Cecil's picture on it. Here is his new home in the Pier 11 building. It was cold and wet and the wind was picking up when I took these photos. The sky seemed ready to make a dark day even darker, so I thought I'd wait for better lighting before going inside to reveal Cecil himself in all his wooden glory. I hope Cecil's Grill has a long and prosperous life. It's the most recent in a chain of many restaurants in this location. My friend Francisca will remember a pleasant evening we spent chatting over a project here one night in the pouring rain with a fantastic view of the river and munchy hors d'oeuvres. I've always loved the warning sign in the second photo!

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Bulk Avenir, Oslo

2011-11-11T16:00:00.000-08:00

Astoria, Oregon ~ November 4, 2011

The ships have such interesting names, although this one is not the most romantic. It's also fun to observe the place of registry. I think the most common port name I see is Panama, but there are others; it could be fun to make a list. This one happens to be Oslo. This ship is not traveling up or down river, but is "swinging on the hook" (rotating on its anchor chain) as the tide in the river turns.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Cecil

2011-11-10T12:37:00.000-08:00

Astoria, Oregon ~ November 9, 2011

I know there's a story here, and probably many. Hopefully some of you will help me out. I've seen the wooden version of Cecil. Last time I noticed, he was in a store on Marine Drive. He's an impressive beast, whatever his history.

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With This Lot You Get Color in November

2011-11-08T13:33:00.000-08:00

Astoria, Oregon ~ November 8, 2011

It's true - the colors are gorgeous on 11th Street and around Astoria. You also get one thing with this lot that I removed from the picture. I don't usually Photoshop out the power lines, but today I couldn't help showing the blue sky crystal clear. As I type this, the clouds are moving in.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Above the Wide Pacific

2011-11-07T14:22:00.000-08:00

Tillamook Head Trail near Seaside, Oregon ~ June 27, 2009

A short drive from Astoria begins the trail over Tillamook Head. Click here for earlier blog posts using images taken on this remarkable trail.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Getting Choppy

2011-11-06T13:41:00.000-08:00

Astoria, Oregon ~ July 4, 2011

I took this photo last July from the back deck of Coffee Girl just about the time small boats decided that coming back to the mooring basin was the better part of valor. The photo below indicates one of the reasons this might be a good idea. The big ships aren't bothered. I love the ships' names. The one on the left has the evocative name of Navios Mercator.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

The Portway

2011-11-05T17:25:00.000-07:00

Astoria, Oregon ~ November 5, 2011

Portway Tavern, 422 West Marine Drive

Like many fixtures in Astoria, the Portway has a devoted clientele, fish on the facade, paint that has seen better days, and a blue and white plaque that says, "Historic Landmark." Unlike most, it has its own ATM machine.

The building was built in 1923 and opened first as a blacksmith shop before it became a cafe in 1925. It has the distinction of being "the oldest watering hole in the oldest American settlement west of the Rockies." For more interesting history, see the Portway's own web site.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Checkerboard Tulips

2011-07-25T10:30:00.000-07:00

Astoria, Oregon ~ April 6, 2011

One of my favorite flower finds this spring was this pot in the parking area outside the Astoria Co-op (Exchange and 14th Streets) containing checkerboard tulips.

The rest of the flowers and vegetables in the pot were a welcome sight as well.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Purple on the Water Front

2011-07-24T16:27:00.000-07:00

Astoria, Oregon ~ July 18, 2011

Can anyone tell me the name of these purple flowers? If I ever knew it, it escapes me today. (Hmmm, maybe some variety of lilac?) [Thanks to everyone who said it was a BUTTERFLY BUSH.] I've been noticing flowers and color all season, and when my photos aren't of ships, they usually include flora. I'm sure many of you will recognize the location as being right next to the interesting dumpsters on the 12th Street pier showing the Sears building in the background (right side of the photo). I think our cold, wet spring and late-blooming summer has given us gorgeous blossoms well into summer.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Where Does the Time Go?

2011-07-23T10:31:00.000-07:00

Astoria, Oregon ~ Summer 2011

Guest Photographer: J Schu

Hello, Everyone! The title of today's post could be a theme for this photo, and it's also a theme for me right now. Contrary to possible conclusions, I have not decided to give up on this blog, but I have (by default) taken a break from all of my blogs. I think about posting, I still take photos, and I really, really appreciate the interest all of you have shown. Rather than lack of interest, I can sum up my disappearance as "other things coming to the foreground," and everthing simply takes time.

We'll see what happens going forward, but for now I would like to thank J for sending in this charming photo of a view that was not available until very recently, and to pass along a question from the photographer: Can anyone tell us more about this old building? It was revealed recently along the River Walk when the weathered old white Darigold building was taken down.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Design under the Awning

2011-07-01T11:20:00.000-07:00

Astoria, Oregon ~ July 1, 2011

My friend Parker took this photo while walking downtown this morning. Most of us might not think to look up into the awning in front of the Liberty Theatre, but if we did, we'd be greeted with this decorative detail from an earlier era. You might remember Parker's photo of the rigging on one of the tall ships from about a month ago.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Red and "Blue"

2011-06-21T09:30:00.000-07:00

Astoria, Oregon ~ June 13, 2011

Here's another shot of the purple (lavender?) rhododendron bush outside the post office. Yesterday's photo was the "art shot," today's photo shows the brilliant red flowers on the adjacent bush. I think the sceme is supposed to be vaguely red, white, and blue. The nearly-white rhodies at the other end of the building were falling apart as of yesterday, but here is my shot of them from last year. If I remember, the pink were still looking OK, but the white ones are about gone.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Purple Rhodies at the Post Office

2011-06-20T09:53:00.000-07:00

Astoria, Oregon ~ June 13, 2011

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Plenty of Snow on Mt. Hood

2011-06-16T12:04:00.000-07:00

Mt. Hood from Government Camp, Oregon ~ June 4, 2011

About 3 hours' drive from Astoria

On June 4th, I drove up to the high desert, and was surprised by how cold it still was over the pass. It was cold even in a sweatshirt when I got out of the car, and snow was still piled maybe 8 or so feet deep where it had been plowed into drifts near some of the buildings. With the zoom, you can see how much snow is waiting to melt among Mt. Hood's crags. There has already been a lot of flooding along Oregon's rivers. I don't know if there's any noticeable rise here in Astoria for those who observe these things more carefully than I do. I haven't noticed whether the river has been higher or not, as it isn't noticeable from my perspective. Does anyone know if it's a fraction of an inch, or maybe even inches this far downriver?

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KMUN Building with Rhodies

2011-06-10T08:26:00.000-07:00

Astoria, Oregon ~ June 3, 2011

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Rigging

2011-06-02T10:02:00.000-07:00

Astoria, Oregon ~ May 21, 2011

Photo copyright Parker Ivanoff

My ten-year-old friend Parker got a chance to take a sail on one of the tall ships on the Columbia River during Astoria's bicentennial celebration. He brought back this wonderful photo of the adventure taken with his mom's cell phone. I think it came out spectacularly well. Maybe when Parker sees this, he'll fill us in on the event and I will update the post or upload another photo from his day "at sea" (in quotes because it's really the river - a huge one, at that!). I also hope to find out which ship this is. There were two of them on the river that day.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Church Flowers

2011-06-01T19:01:00.000-07:00

Astoria, Oregon ~ May 31, 2011

Rhododendrons are blooming everywhere, globe-shaped colorful bushes from small to huge to the size of trees. This rhododendron bush, not in full bloom yet, can be found in the garden behind the First Presbyterian Church and this building at the corner of 11th and Harrison.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Hawaiian Chieftain and Lady Washington

2011-05-22T13:49:00.000-07:00

Astoria, Oregon ~ May 20, 2011

We've been seeing a lot of these beautiful tall ships on the Columbia River for the past few days. They've been taking passengers out for exciting reenactments and photo ops. I haven't gone, but I know someone who did, and I may be posting a photo or two when they come out of the camera. This is part of Astoria's bicentennial celebration.

I was working the other day and heard a loud "BOOM"! As it turns out, the ships were firing cannons at each other and there was a big puff of white smoke next to one of the ships. I can't believe how loud the cannon fire was!

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Darigold Art

2011-05-21T10:06:00.000-07:00

Astoria, Oregon ~ May 17, 2011

I love finding art in unexpected places, and this time I found it on the side of the old Darigold building next to the train station. The building is slated for demolition at the end of May. Please see yesterday's post for further info and to learn what Ron Walker is looking for before the building disappears.

Here is another picture of the Darigold building that I took last May and posted in June. I know more about it now than I did a year ago. Let's hope we can get more and more stories so Ron Walker's project of preserving the history of this historic structure will be filled with fascinating stories and tidbits of Astoria's past. You can help by e-mailing Ron at riverwalker1946@charter.net or phoning him at (503) 440-3506.

It seems that Blogger may be having some trouble accepting comments. PLEASE copy your comment before you post it, and if it doesn't show up immediately, copy it to e-mail and send it to me at oregontapir@yahoo.com. Thank you! I have no idea what the problem is.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Requesting Your Stories about the Darigold Building by the Old Astoria Train Station

2011-05-20T14:54:00.000-07:00

Darigold Building, Astoria, Oregon ~ Photo Copyright Ron Walker

With all the celebration and events going on for the Astoria Bicentennial (1811 to 2011), you might think I'd focus on that this week, but I'm not. While celebrations are fun, I believe that history is a concern for every day. This old building next to the retired train station on the River Walk is slated for demolition at the end of May. I would love to see some way to restore it, but here is the point of the post:

RON WALKER REQUESTS YOUR STORIES, information, and anecdotes about the historic Darigold Building pictured above. You can help by e-mailing Ron at riverwalker1946@charter.net or phoning him at (503) 440-3506. Ron tells me he is also making a documentary about the building, and collecting interview footage for that purpose. He's interested in any and all stories you have. Please check out the blog comments below for more details.

Ron says he's learning that the building had a fascinating history and has been used by Astorians in many interesting ways. One bit of info I learned from reading Elleda Wilson's "In One Ear" column in the Daily Astorian is that in the 1920s and 1930s, people could order from the Sears catalog and pick up their purchases in this building next to the train station. Those few words alone bring back memories for many of us whether we lived in Astoria or not (Mom ordering from the Sears catalog and waiting weeks for delivery!). What can you remember about Dairygold? The picture posted above is Ron's, but I took some myself the other day and will post more this week. VERY SOON THIS LANDMARK WILL BE GONE! I hate seeing old buildings that have character and stories disappear into nothing. It would take tons of money to restore it, but this is one of those times I wish I could somehow do it.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Sand Bar

2011-05-16T14:38:00.000-07:00

Astoria, Oregon ~ May 8, 2011

I took this photo from the Astoria Column with a 12x zoom. This is definitely not how it looks to the naked eye from that far away. You can see Ilwaco, Washington, on the far side of the river. The shipping channel is off the photo at the bottom, and the tall points of the bridge are out of sight to the left. As you can see here, the ships' pilots have to know what they're doing. Here you can see a photo of the sand bar taken from the bridge.

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Bag All Fish Guts

2011-05-15T15:13:00.000-07:00

Astoria, Oregon ~ May 8, 2011

Here is the third photo from the same day at the same location. It just goes to show how lucky we are. Every direction is a picture - and I haven't even shown the marina yet. I promised to post the sign, which says, "Bag all fish guts. Then put in the DUMPSTER." I guess they are serious. There are many, many boats in the marina behind me, and most are for fishing.

The Cannery Pier Hotel seen in the last two posts is out of sight on the left, and the red building on the right is a beautifully-refurbished building which was (I think) formerly used for marine-type storage. I imagine that originally it was part of the cannery. Having said that it was beautifully refurbished, I still liked it better before it was fixed up. I was lucky enough to attend a drawing group upstairs on this end for awile, and Royal Nebeker and Rhonda Grudenic had their studios upstairs. Rhonda's figure drawing was amazing, although she's better known for her abstract paintings. I think there were other studios in the building that I'm not aware of. The atmospheric weathered wood and everything that was aged and creaky reminded me of old stables and ranch buildings I grew up with, and I loved the feeling. The old red building was a place that felt intrinsically creative.

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Crab, Oysters, Live Lobster, Manila Clams

2011-05-14T09:48:00.000-07:00

Astoria, Oregon ~ May 8, 2011

'Tis the season for things that come from the water. Dungeness crabs are caught by the boats we see going back and forth on the river. Amazing oysters come from famous oyster beds just across the river in Washington. I'm not sure about the live lobsters. I think they must be flown in, and maybe someone can enlighten me about that. We can dig for razor clams at the beach during some seasons, but I'm not sure where we get Manila clams. What's the story on this?

In the background you can see the hotel and bridge from yesterday's post; I took that photo when the sun was out for a few minutes. Yes, Jacob, the tide is definitely out! The table in the foreground is for cleaning your catch. I'll show you the sign tomorrow. The cloudy sky is so typical. The blue is the anomaly, although we've had a couple of truly glorious days this year.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Hotel and Bridge

2011-05-13T11:45:00.000-07:00

Astoria, Oregon ~ May 8, 2011

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Red Tulips

2011-04-29T08:41:00.000-07:00

Astoria, Oregon ~ April 26, 2011

Three days ago I spotted these gorgeous red tulips. Color is popping up everywhere, at least in patches. The tall bushes are the stunning salmon-colored azaleas I photograph every year, and they'll be in bloom very soon. It poured rain with scattered buckets of hail yesterday. Today I see blue sky, but for how long? It may reach 54 degrees F today, with a "chance" of rain. Where I grew up, "chance of rain" usually meant "forget it." Here, "chance of rain" usually means "prepare to get soaked."

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Pink Blossoms

2011-04-27T13:55:00.000-07:00

Astoria, Oregon ~ April 23, 2011

I found this beautiful array outside the Visitor's Center, across the street from the Mini Mart on Marine Drive. Other trees around town are blooming at slightly different rates. We had a beautiful, clear day that day, maybe the nicest all year. Today we're back to gray skies, rain, and cold. Like many Astorians, I don't mind that much, but the sun is a welcome sight, especially in backward years like this one!

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

New Plants and Soup

2011-04-22T18:05:00.000-07:00

Astoria, Oregon ~ April 17, 2011

This stand in front of the Astoria Co-op at 1355 Duane Street is one of the places where you can buy baby vegetable plants despite the unseasonably cold weather. They were grown locally by Packy and Teresa at 46 North Farm, and that's one reason I'll probably start here with my annual plant buying if I get around to working my few square feet of ground or buying and fitting out some big pots.

Both doors enter the co-op. If you go in the righthand door, you're immediately treated to yummy fruits and veggies. Inside the lefthand door you will encounter the tastiest homemade soup on the planet. If you do neither, you might want to dream the time away gazing at warped buildings and blue sky in the store's front window. There's even a picnic table with benches provided nearby.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Spring Morning

2011-04-21T07:56:00.000-07:00

Warrenton, Oregon ~ April 21, 2011

Everyone remarks on the sun because we've seen it so little this year. By the time I got back across the Youngs Bay Bridge (you can see the car lights in the lower middle of the photo) it was raining in Astoria. Now it's stopped, but for how long? Temperatures are generally about 15 degrees lower than average across the state, and it may stay that way for awhile. Some summer fruit crops may not be out until August or September, or so it was reported.

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Oil Cover

2011-04-17T12:28:00.000-07:00

Astoria, Oregon ~ March 12, 2011

Can anyone tell me about this metal cover on Commercial Street? I know that many older houses in Astoria were heated by oil, and some probably still are. Is this where oil is delivered for heating for one or more of the buildings on Commercial? And what's with the pipe draining onto the street?

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

A Bufflehead's Tail

2011-04-16T11:05:00.000-07:00

Astoria, Oregon ~ March 21, 2011

Although I took this photo back in March, the bufflehead ducks are still on the Columbia River. I'm not sure what date they usually fly away, but it's been so cold and rainy, I wonder if they feel that it's still winter, as most of us do?

I only recently noticed that the ducks' tails fan out when they swim. I have one photo, though not a close-up, of a tail fanned in flight. When I find it, I'll post it. I always enjoy seeing these small, pretty ducks each year, even though they are shy and get away from me and my camera as fast as they can.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Flowers in the Lawn

2011-04-15T18:47:00.000-07:00

Astoria, Oregon ~ April 14, 2011

I found these colorful blossoms in the lawn in front of the post office in one of those rare moments between spring showers (or downpours).

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Orange and Blue

2011-04-13T12:23:00.000-07:00

Astoria, Oregon ~ April 5, 2011

It's unusual to see the pilot boat Columbia working on the part of the river near downtown Astoria. Usually we see the smaller green and white Arrow 2. The Columbia is made for the harsher conditions of the ocean. You can read about the various pilot boats by clicking on the labels below. That beautiful blue color is belongs to one of my favorite shipping lines, Honda, and you can guess what's inside. This particular ship's name is Celestial Wing.

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Ship, Rain, Sky

2011-03-30T09:33:00.000-07:00

Astoria, Oregon ~ March 27, 2011

Hi Everyone, I apologize for the sporadic postings lately. It seems that the past few weeks I've been able to either work or blog, but haven't had much success doing both. Work usually wins :) I'm hoping to get back to regular postings before long.

Here in Oregon, we've been breaking records for number of days with rain in March. I'm not sure if Astoria has a new record or not, but Portland (with weather that's sometimes similar and sometimes very different from Astoria) broke its March rain record a few days ago. If we haven't broken ours, it's only because it rains a lot ALL THE TIME.

I love the way the light changes on the river whether it's raining or not. Here's a scene I really enjoyed.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Spring Green along the Riverbank

2011-03-27T14:45:00.000-07:00

Astoria, Oregon ~ March 12, 2011

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A Place for Kids

2011-03-26T09:58:00.000-07:00

Astoria, Oregon ~ March 23, 2011

Inside the Astoria Co-op food store there is a corner to welcome kids. I'm sure the playthings and mat attract some ages. I especially love looking at the painting, which I think is by local artist Sally Lackaff. If anyone knows for sure, please comment! Sally Lackaff and Roger McKay have worked together on detailed paintings and murals around town, so this could be a joint effort. I did not see a signature, but it could have been there somewhere.

The painting contains wonderful details such as this friendly-looking raccoon and the heron, which can be seen in the upper right of the photo. The ship is wonderfully reminiscent of the adventure novels I loved as a pre-teen, although the painting actually represents our local area, its wildlife and its history.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Another Log on the Columbia

2011-03-21T19:44:00.000-07:00

Astoria, Oregon ~ March 21, 2011

It's always interesting to see what washes down in the river. In this case, it's another big log - a long one that has gotten hung up in the pilings at the back of the old Englund Marine building. The question is, what will happen next? Will the tide wash it out again, or will someone have to come and get it so it doesn't knock about and damage the pilings? Is this a moody, wet Astoria day, or what?

I took the first photo at 8:59 a.m. By 11:58, the tide had come in and the log was floating. It's still not clear what will happen (at the time of the photo), but by the end of the day when I looked out again, the log was gone.

We keep these long pike poles handy in case a log needs help finding its way back into the river, but usually a log that's big enough to cause problems and stay stuck among the buildings is also big enough to be a bear to deal with. They are hard to push, or if you catch the water just right and the pushing is easy, they may float right back in. You also need a place to stand, which was not available to me with the location of today's log, so it's just as well that the water took it. There are specialists called "pile bucks" who know everything about pilings and logs, and sometimes you have to hire them to extricate the tough ones. They use boats, chain saws, tackle, loops of rope, and anything necessary to get the job done - plus a lot of skill and excellent balance!

The pike poles have nasty-looking hooks at the end to grip the log.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Purple Azaleas at the Post Office

2011-03-19T10:32:00.000-07:00

Astoria, Oregon ~ March 18, 2011

Last year I posted this photo of the same bush in full flower on February 28th! I've been watching it this year, and the blossoms only came out in the last few days. I seem to remember that last year was filled with flowers and they were out early. This is just the beginning. Soon Astoria will be filled with flowers again.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Posey Reed

2011-03-18T16:39:00.000-07:00

Astoria, Oregon ~ March 12, 2011

Among the newer businesses in town is Posey Reed, selling antiques and collectibles on Commercial Street. Note the spring flowers. Yes, it is finally happening!

See Weekend Reflections from around the world.

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The Castle on James Street

2011-03-17T13:02:00.000-07:00

Astoria, Oregon ~ March 12, 2011

It's easy to think of this stone building as a mini castle, but it actually plays some part in the water system of Astoria. There is a reservoir to the right and behind it, and a larger reservoir up James Street to the left of the photo. I've taken the picture standing on 16th Street, which changes names and becomes Williamsport Road as it heads around the jog and down the hill where the headlights are coming from. You pass the Western Oregon Waste facility and come out on Young's Bay.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Downtown between the Raindrops

2011-03-16T10:27:00.000-07:00

Astoria, Oregon ~ March 12, 2011

Downtown on Commercial Street

Ah, yes. As Anonymous pointed out in the comments, this is Commercial Street, not "Avenue." Our named streets (going east-west) are named (with a few exceptions) alphabetically. In the business area, the named streets are "Streets," until you get up the hill as far as Franklin, where they become "Avenues." I mistakenly applied "Avenue" to all of the named east-west streets. Now I've got it. The numbered streets are "Streets." Commercial used to be named "Comcomly," after the noted Indian leader of the early days of the settlement.

Re: questions from "Basenji" (also in the comments), there are probably at least as many traffic lights in town as there were in 1978, and the Liberty Theatre has been refurbished, but it is still used for stage productions and concerts. There is a multiplex movie theatre, but it's further east on Marine Drive.

The Astor hotel is used for low-income housing (amazing views!), and the ballroom is being refurbished. I'm not sure what it will be when it opens up.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

First Spring Flower Photo

2011-03-15T09:31:00.000-07:00

Astoria, Oregon ~ March 12, 2011

Flowers are starting to "spring" up all over town. There are yellow daffodils, and the azaleas are starting to bloom. I found this bush of beautiful deep pink camelias on the way to Western Oregon Waste ("WOW"), where I was recycling the printer that broke last weekend. Sorry about the colors being faded - it's been either drizzling or pouring all week.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Almost Everyone's Dream "Fixer Home"

2011-03-14T13:36:00.000-07:00

Astoria, Oregon ~ March 12, 2011

Anyone who loves fixer-upper houses has probably been drooling over this one for years. It's hard not to want to give it some TLC and make it nice again, but for that to happen, you have to have an owner who either cares about fixing it up or wants to sell it to someone who will. On the other hand, it's been around in its dilapidated condition for so long that it's become firmly entrenched in the lore of Astoria. Some people call it "The Halloween House." By the way, this is the yard where the deer from yesterday were feeding, and there's an interesting window photo (2nd picture) here.

This house also appeared in our photo contest last October. This photo shows the corner where the deer were feeding.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

A Cafe for Deer

2011-03-13T14:38:00.000-07:00

Astoria, Oregon ~ March 12, 2011

Columbian black-tailed deer can often be seen trotting up and down Astoria's streets. These two stopped off for a snack at the old Flavel House on 15th Street, sometimes known as the Halloween House (is that right?). I'll show the house tomorrow.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Autumn Leaves Last August

2011-03-12T10:59:00.000-08:00

Astoria, Oregon ~ August 14, 2010

On the day of the Regatta parade last year, I looked up and saw red leaves among the green. I couldn't understand why I was seeing autumn colors in the middle of August! Was the tree sick? Was it dying? Apparently this was a clue from nature. Is red normal in August, or did the trees know what was coming? Without looking at the stats, I can tell you this has been the longest and coldest winter I can remember in my ten years here. I don't know if it's been the wettest, since all winters are very wet here, but I rememer that winter started early and I've had the heater on more than any other year. Speaking of which, it's nice to see blue sky and green in the photo, yes? Is anyone out there ready for spring? (By the way, it seems I did take note and post this picture last August - similar but a different shot. Now in hindsight, it makes sense.)

It's good to be back, and I expect to start posting every day again. I can hardly believe it's been three weeks since my last post. I've been to see family in two states, and I've had a bad cold followed by the worst flu I can ever remember, and the longest to get over. I'll be taking some new photos, but for awhile, I'll also be bringing out new stuff from the archives. I think it will be just as interesting as the new pix. Some days you just get a lot more good photos than others, and I have quite a backlog of those days.

I'll be seeing you around your blogs again :)

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

The Field Gun by the Courthouse is Back

2011-02-18T13:47:00.000-08:00

February 17, 2011

The piece of field artillery that sits at the corner of the Courthouse on 8th and Commercial was gone for awhile and now it's back with new paint.

The photo above was taken on July 30, 2001, and shows the old paint on the gun. Not knowing anything about military artillery, I used to call it a Civil War cannon. That impression was fostered by the plaque on the bench (last photo) which says that this memorial is dedicated to those who fought in the Civil War. I posted the photos from 2001 on Panoramio and a guy named "armynurd" corrected me, so I looked it up: Civil War Cannon vs. 77mm field gun. Clearly it's more like the latter. The link shows a German-made gun, and "nurd" said it was "a French made 75mm field gun from both world wars."

Here's the 77mm barrel with a new plug in it.

Photo: 2001

The dedication. You can enlarge the photo by clicking on it.

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Goodbye to Andrew & Steve's

2011-02-17T09:48:00.000-08:00

Astoria, Oregon ~ January 31, 2011

Sometime in the last couple of months, Andrew and Steve's Restaurant closed its doors after a career of almost 95 years. In this case, it wasn't the economy to blame, but simply the march of time. Although I hadn't eaten there in a number of years, it was one of the first places I met people in Astoria when joined Toastmasters. That was a short-lived but welcoming experience. Above, you see the place from the back, which is right along the River Walk across from Baked Alaska (Doc's on 12th Street). It's also next door to the Sears building with its incredible murals. The front entrance to the building is on the corner of 12th Street and Marine Drive.

The rear of the building is also the location for this painting of historic Astoria. There are at least two or three others I'm aware of in the same size format and bolted onto different buildings along this stretch.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

The Bridge of the Wadi Albostan

2011-02-16T11:22:00.000-08:00

Astoria, Oregon ~ February 15, 2011

The subdued light gave me a chance to get a good exposure of the bridge of one of the big cargo ships, Wadi Albostan., as it makes its way to Longview, Washington, to pick up soya meal (see The Ship Report by Astorian Joanne Rideout; you can also listen to her wonderful and informative report with only a click of the link in the upper left of the page).

Usually when I try to capture the bridge, it simply burns out against the darker background. I also got lucky and got a lovely light reflection in the red area of this ship. As you can see below, the light bridge is reflected on the surface of the river and the light bounces back to the hull of the ship.

That's the Pacific Fantasy (at anchor and going upriver to pick up potash) behind Wadi Albostan, and you can see the pilot boat transferring the river pilot to the ship for the trip upriver.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

The Other Side of That Dumpster

2011-02-15T08:02:00.000-08:00

Astoria, Oregon ~ August 15, 2001

Dumpster Painting by Diane Beeston

I featured this dumpster along the River Walk in an earlier post, and it shows the decorated trash recepticle from its other side. Recently I found these shots in my archives. The caption of the older post is even more poignant today, and it's not only the dumpster that's gone, but also the buildings and access to the pier.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Another of Astoria's Unique Victorians

2011-02-14T06:30:00.000-08:00

Astoria, Oregon ~ January 23, 2010

Perched on a hill at approximately Lexington and 17th Streets, this house has an incredible view. One of the reasons I love Victorian houses is because each combines the elements so differently. Down the hill, you can see the house featured in this post.

Today I took the time to figure out how to correct the odd slanting angles made by the digital camera. I tried it in this photo, and it worked. Sometimes I like the crazy angles, you will continue to see some, but not all the time :)

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Turquoise Fishing Boat

2011-02-13T12:35:00.000-08:00

Astoria, Oregon ~ February 9, 2011

"Swell Rider"

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More of the Mural: Cats and Dogs

2011-02-12T11:21:00.000-08:00

Astoria, Oregon ~ January 31, 2011

Mural by Jo Brown behind the Sears Store

Today's post features cats and one wary dog on the mural behind the Sears store on the River Walk.

I thought I'd feature this cat watching the rain on a day when Weather Underground tells us, "...A return to a more active weather pattern over southwest Washington and northwest Oregon has begun and will continue through most of next week...After a relatively benign weather period that has lulled the area in[to] Tranquility...mother nature will shake things up again." They're talking about wind and rain, nothing "cat"astrophic, and nothing unusual, but I know a lot of us have enjoyed the sun and blue skies recently.

What do you imagine this cat is thinking about the rain?

By the way, if you like animals, I invite you to visit one of my other blogs, "Animal Art Along the Way." It's become quite a fun and interesting collection of animals depicted in many guises. Today's post is quite commercial, but these animals come from all over the world and in many unique forms. You can sign up to get the posts delivered by e-mail, too. Thanks for visiting!

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

More of the Mural: Stories in Paint

2011-02-11T17:41:00.000-08:00

Astoria, Oregon ~ January 31, 2011

Mural by Jo Brown behind the Sears Store

Here is another section of the mural that takes up the entire back of the Sears store on the River Walk. Jo has painted historic sign names on a number of buildings around Astoria in a similar fashion to the lettering above. I think it says, "Mason Furman & Co." Click on the keywords below to see more sections of the mural. For "before" pictures of this building and for more of Jo's work, see Jo Brown's web site.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

More of the Mural: The Real and the Unreal

2011-02-10T00:01:00.000-08:00

Astoria, Oregon ~ January 31, 2011
Mural by Jo Brown behind the Sears Store

Here is another section of the mural that takes up the entire back of the Sears store on the River Walk. In this segment, the three-dimensional architectural elements play hide and seek with the viewer. Again, the pilings there are part of the artwork. The woman with the fish on the left of today's post can be seen on the right side of yesterday's post. For "before" pictures of this building and for more of Jo's work, see Jo Brown's web site. Also click on the keywords below for more of her work on this blog.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Trompe l'oeil on the River Walk

2011-02-09T10:37:00.000-08:00

Astoria, Oregon ~ January 31, 2011

Mural by Jo Brown behind the Sears Store

This delightful period piece trompe l'oeil ("deceive-the-eye") mural has been an Astoria landmark for a number of years now. This is only a piece. It takes up the entire back of the Sears store on the River Walk. The reason for the odd angle, and probably the reason I haven't done more with it, is because there are always real trucks here unloading and trucks, cars, and SUVs parked in front of it. By the way, the pilings there are part of the artwork. I expect to post more scenes from it over the next few days. You can also see the "before" pictures and more of the images on Jo Brown's web site. Also click on the keywords below for more of her work on this blog.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

By Land and by Sea

2011-02-08T15:39:00.000-08:00

Astoria, Oregon ~ February 1, 2011

I enjoyed seeing these huge tomatoes on the side of the delivery truck in the Safeway parking lot. Goods arrive in Astoria by truck as we watch other products travel past on their way to or from the ocean on ships.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Theme Day: Fountains ~ "A Fountain in Two Seasons"

2011-02-01T09:44:00.000-08:00

Astoria, Oregon ~ May 15, 2010

Today's first-of-the-month theme at City Daily Photo is "Fountains." For days I've been asking myself, "Where am I going to find a fountain in Astoria?" I couldn't think of one, and I couldn't think of a clever variation on the theme, either. Such as, is there a soda fountain in town? A few minutes ago I remembered the fountain in front of Bob and Roger's incredible Victorian home on Harrison Street. I posted the house earlier on this blog, and you can see it here.

Astoria, Oregon ~ December 22, 2008

I also found this photo from our memorable snow storm in 2008. This fountain and home are charming in any season!

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

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Stylish

2011-01-31T12:46:00.000-08:00

Astoria, Oregon ~ January 23, 2010

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End of the Light Show

2011-01-30T14:04:00.000-08:00

Astoria, Oregon ~ January 19, 2011

Smith Point

This photo comes from the same day as the three recent ones with a bright red sky, reflections on the water, and black pilings in the foreground. I took this one as I returned to my car. It's quiet and peaceful and the brilliant color has faded. I thought it was a fitting end to the beautiful display. The earlier posts are located here, here, and here.)

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Bar Pilot Boat "Columbia"

2011-01-29T15:19:00.000-08:00

Astoria, Oregon ~ January 29, 2011

A spot of orange on a gray day is always welcome, as is a closeup look at any of the pilot boats. I rarely see the Columbia this far up the river, as it docks in Hammond and transfers pilots on the bar rather than at Astoria (the latter being the job of the smaller pilot boat, Arrow 2). The Columbia, like its sister boat, Chinook, is 72 feet long, and of a similar design (as far as I can tell) with a few differences. I didn't find a lot of information on the web about this boat, maybe because the name can be confused with the river and other things, so if you have a good link, I'd be happy to include it. There is also a pilot boat in Holland with the name name.

. Columbia behind Chinook in the harbor

. More about pilot boats on this blog

. What to know if you might need to use this boat

. Pilots in Coast Weekend

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Gliding Buffleheads

2011-01-28T09:35:00.000-08:00

Astoria, Oregon ~ January 28, 2011

Winter is the season when bufflehead ducks come to live in our river, and I always enjoy seeing them. Their range is huge, covering most of North America, but I don't remember seeing them until I moved here. I also posted a photo of the buffleheads on January 29, 2010. All of the ducks in today's image are females, but in last year's post you can see the distinction between the genders, as the male has a lot more white on the head and lower body. I love the peaceful feeling of the water as the ducks slip and glide over the small swells when the river is calm along its banks.

See more Weekend Reflections from around the world.

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