A more typical winter day

Whitaker Ponds Nature Park is a lovely place to visit on an overcast January Day. The sun was peaking through the clouds and the geese were splashing on in the water. It's wonderful even in winter.

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Green even in winter

We hardly ever get snow in Portland, mostly rain in the winter. This year it's been dry and sunny. Driving around recently these two images caught my eye. I love frogs and this mural on a city building is so green and vibrant. The two elephants in the North Park Blocks were a gift to the city from Huo Baozhu . They are a full sized replica from the Shang Dynasty.

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Sunny December

This has been the driest December in Portland on record - usually, it is the wettest month. Great for getting out and taking pictures like these. The one at the top is the Steel Bridge built in 1912 and will celebrate 100  years in July 2012. The building in the other picture was designed by Michael Graves in 1982 in a style called 'postmodern'. It is near a park that recently was home to 'Occupy Portland' campers and is closed to be cleaned and reseeded.

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Pacific salmon rule!

Besides great for eating, salmon make wonderful house decorations. Here are a few of my favorite. The ones on the fence look like a classic salmon 'run' .The three on the  garage door look like they are going up stream. I could not resist including the one on the door although it may not be a salmon

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People's Co-op

Located in SE Portland - this is one of my favorite places to shop. It's been around since the 1970's and is still going strong. You can find everything you need here. The bottom shot is of the inside wall made of glass bottle bottoms and a little table and chair for kids to play while you shop. Love this place.

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more old gems...

Seem to be spotting old cars everywhere. The red one is a Ford Ranchero  250 made from 1957-79. First model with a truck bed. The yellow is a Ford Custom 8 truck from 1956. Love old cars and the people who own these keep them is such good shape.

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Urban renewal

New shops going in on this colorful block in an area not far from where we live. The first may be a wine shop. But the second will be an undergarment shop for 'real women' - can't wait to see that.

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Counter culture

This is the counter at a one of my favorite  Mexican restaurants called 'Por Que No!'   The food is very tasty and the decor funky and colorful.

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Little blue house

Not far from where we live....a ceramist lives in this lovely blue house. She has a studio in back and a very lovely front yard which is just starting to get some fall colors.

Great sunrise

Yesterday's sunrise was one for the record books.....or at least for the photo album. It was glorious!

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