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.

Scenic

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.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

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

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

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?

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

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.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

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!

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

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.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.