Happy Winter Solstice

Happy Winter Solstice.... And Yay, We are still Here!

Frozen Mirror Lake

About 45 min east of Portland on Highway 26 right before Government Camp lies the trailhead to Mirror Lake. In the winter time the lake is a short snow shoe hike away.

Almost Frozen Mirror Lake

Views of the City

Wednesday evening was perfect to capture the San Francisco Skyline from Treasure Island. 

San Francisco Skyline with Bay Bridge on the left and the Golden Gate Bridge on the right.

"Closeup" of Bay Bridge and Downtown San Francisco about 15 min later.

First Snow of the Season

At 1073 ft, Council Crest is the highest elevation within the city limits of Portland. Today it saw its first snow of the season.

It's the Season...

I had to post something at 12:12 on 12/12/12. And since it's the Season:

Christmas Tree at Pioneer Square in front of the Pioneer Courthouse.

Colors of the Fall

The rain showers stopped in Portland last Friday just long enough for a visit to the Portland Japanese Garden to view its fall colors.

The Heavenly Waterfall

The Stone Pagoda Lantern

Nature's "Traffic Light"

The Moon Bridge

Another view of the Moon Bridge

In the Strolling Pond Garden

In the Strolling Pond Garden

In the Strolling Pond Garden

Lantern by the Entrance

Fireworks in the Rain

As if by magic the rain showers which have been gracing Portland all day long paused for a couple of hours right around the time for the pre-Halloween fireworks! 

Fireworks over Downtown Portland.
Morrison Bridge on the left.

"Reminder to Vote"

The Tall, The Wide, and The Famous

Fall is a wonderful time to visit the Portland Japanese Garden when each japanese maple tree seem to show its own personality. Here are just three of them.

The Tall

The Wide

The Famous

The Pavilion

The Flat Garden in its Fall Colors

"Smiling" Portland

Wide-angle lens panorama shot transforms straight lines into curves creating a "smiley" mouth out of the Willamette River and its banks. 

Panorama of Portland Skyline between Hawthorne and Morrison Bridge

Nature's Canvas: The (HDR) Sequel

Jonsrud Viewpoint, named after T. G. Jonsrud and family who settled right across the street of the viewpoint in the late 19th century and whose descendants generously donated it to the City of Sandy, lies on the Mt. Hood Scenic Byway and offers a spectacular view of the Devil's Backbone of the Oregon Historic Trail, the Sandy River below the bluffs, and Mt Hood. A gorgeous place to start an autumn day!

Hidden Sun illuminating the Autumn Sky. The Sandy River bends in
the foreground.

A few minutes later the shadow of Mt. Hood streaks up to the Clouds.

Changing Seasons

The Japanese Maple Tree next to the pond at the Portland Japanese Garden is a favorite subject for photographers. Here are some views of it throughout the seasons. The most colorful time for the tree (middle of autumn) is yet to come this year. Stay tuned.

Early Spring

Spring

Summer

Early Fall

Sun "Sliding up" Mount Hood

Early October the sun rises right above the summit of Mt Hood when viewed from the Western Hills of Portland. 

Some pictures from the same event.

Sun Peaking out on the Northern Slope of Mt Hood

Sun Sitting Behind Summit of Mt Hood

And the Kick is Good

Setting of the Harvest Moon over the South Tower of St. John's Bridge in
Portland, OR.

Original Picture before Converting
to b/w and Adding Red Filter

Peekaboo (Harvest) Moon

(Almost) Harvest Moon Rising Behind the North Tower of St. John's
Bridge in Portland through a Hazy Evening Sky.

One of a Kind

Portland has its share of bridges across the Willamette River (and the Columbia), but the Ross Island Bridge is Oregon's one and only cantilever truss bridge. 

Ross Island Bridge with South Waterfront Development under its Arch and Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) up on the Hill on the right.

Caged Sun

The Rising Sun passes behind a Glass Facade of the Portland Convention Center

A Summer Night in Portland

Night view of I5 by Portland Rose Quarter. The Twin Spires mark the Convention Center.

Night view of the Steel Bridge (front) and the Fremont Bridge (back).

Panorama of Portland From Marquam Hill

Panorama of Portland from the upper Portland Aerial Tram Station at dawn.
Silhouettes of Mount St. Helens and Mt Hood are on the left and right of picture respectively.
Mt Adams can be found straight back from the "Marquam Eye".
(For best view, maximize your browser wider and click on the picture.)

Sunset from Sherrard Point

As mentioned on a previous post, this week the sun sets right above the Columbia River as viewed from Sherrard Point on Larch Mountain. Where are the cirrus clouds when you want them!

Sunset from top of Rock at Sherrard Point

Eye of the Marquam

While shooting a panorama of Portland from the Portland Aerial Tram platform, took this rather classic shot of the "Eye" of the Marquam Bridge.

The "Eye" of the Marquam Bridge

City Lights

Mount St Helens Rises Behind Portland Bridges

Portland Aerial Tram Streaking by at Dawn

Mount Hood at Dawn

Mount Hood at Dawn

Mount Hood at Dawn Reflecting off Portland Aerial Tram

Go Bears!

The Portland Aerial Tram seems to be paying tribute to the California Blue and Gold with the blue lit tower and the golden glow of the recently opened Darlene Hooley Pedestrian Bridge. The blue lightning of the Tower was initially in recognition of Autism Awareness Month in 2011.

Portland Aerial Tram Tower and Gibbs Street Pedestrian Bridge

Dawn's Early Light

One of the reasons Lewis and Clark College, located on top of Palatine Hill next to Tyson Creek State Park in Portland, Oregon, has consistently been named one of America's most beautiful college campus is the Reflecting Pool in the Estate Gardens. The serene garden offers a spectacular view of Mount Hood and each year around the first week of March and October the sun rises right over the mountain.

The Reflecting Pool and Mount Hood during dusk

Moonrise over South Waterfront

Actual Blue Moon rising over the South Waterfront Skyscrapers in Portland

Blue Moon Greets Portland

"Day Before" Blue Moon rises over Mt Hood as viewed from Pittock Mansion