Saturday, May 31, 2008

Five More Names

Iraq
A ceremony Friday honored Oregonians who have died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Unfortunately five names have been added to the 99 already on the granite wall of the Afghan-Iraqi Freedom Memorial, located north of the Oregon Dept. of Veterans Affairs building on Summer Street NE along with memorials of other wars.

Thursday, May 29, 2008

On the run

Salmon Run
This sculpture graces the entrance to the Salmon Run condomiums on High Street. The building is adjacent to Pringle Creek which is a spawning ground for the Chinook Salmon. As many as 1000 adult Chinook make their way here each fall where each female will deposit an average of 5000 eggs. The eggs hatch in 2-4 months and in the spring the young make their way down to the Willamette, then the Columbia River, then to the Pacific Ocean. They are known to migrate as far north as the Bearing Sea.

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Watchful Eyes


I've often wondered what these cameras at Wal-Mart are intended to observe. At least if a thief syphons my expensive gasoline while I shop, the dirty deed should be caught on video.

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Iris Display Gardens

Iris Gardens
Even under cloudy skies, the Memorial Day Chicken BBQ and Wine Tasting, along with music of the Capital City Jazz Band at Schreiner's Iris Gardens is a hit.

Monday, May 26, 2008

Remember.

Not Forgotten

Sunday, May 25, 2008

Hidden Color

Liberty St. Bridge
Found this little spot of color underneath the Liberty Street bridge over Pringle Creek, just north of City Hall.

Friday, May 23, 2008

Berry Bloom

Salmon Berries
I found these Salmonberries growing along Mill Creek. Native to the west coast of North America, they can be found along streambanks and in moist forests. Related to the raspberry (and very tasty), they can range in color from yellow to red.

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Octopus Tree


I am not certain what kind of tree this is, but I found a similar-looking tree (same bark, trunks and needles) on State Street in front of the State Department of Forestry building. A gentlemen in the office there said that one was a Cedar of Lebanon. This one is located at the corner of D and Church Sts.

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Mama and Babies

Canadian Goose family
Just beautiful.

Sunday, May 18, 2008

May 18

Mt. Saint Helens
Mount St. Helens had a powerful eruption 28 years ago today. Though Salem is approx 140 miles south as the crow flies, we did receive a light covering of ash from the plume that rose over 80,000 feet in the air.

Saturday, May 17, 2008

Wood Sculpture


This beautifully carved buck stands outside the Sportsmans Warehouse just east of I-5 at Hwy 22.

Friday, May 16, 2008

Iris Gardens

Smelling the irises
Enjoying the Irises at Schreiner's Gardens.

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Camera-Shy

Bumble Bee and Daphne

It seems to be saying "I'm outta here!" Isn't it amazing that it can move that huge body with those tiny wings?! Daphne has the most heavenly fragrance.

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Church Street Bridge

Church Street Bridge, looking south
The Church Street Bridge has character. Built in 1929, it obviously was designed with the philosophy of Oregon's famed bridge engineer, Conde McCullough, who said that "bridges should be built efficiently, economically, and aesthetically." McCullough designed many of the beautiful bridges along Highway 101 on the Oregon coast (ODOT brochure in pdf). This bridge is above the Shelton Ditch featured yesterday. Standing between the lampposts looking west, you will see the confluence of Shelton Ditch and Pringle Creek.

Church Street Bridge, west walkway and overlook

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Shelton Ditch at Pringle Park


The Shelton Ditch as it runs along the north side of Pringle Park, just west of Salem Hospital. It is man-made and was constructed as a drainage channel in the mid 1930’s to help relieve flooding in the lower reaches of Mill Creek. A pedestrian walkway runs along the north berm from Winter Street to High Street. The Church Street bridge seen here was built in 1929.

Monday, May 12, 2008

While at the Coast,


It's a good thing for visitors to pay attention to the signs showing escape routes. Regular drills are held in local schools which are in the zone.

Sunday, May 11, 2008

Iris Month


May is Iris month at Schreiner's Gardens. Their 10-acre display gardens are open to the public (free of charge). Schreiner's is the largest retail grower of Iris in the U.S.

and Happy Mother's Day
to those in the U.S.

Saturday, May 10, 2008

It IS Spring


Headed to the water at Pringle Park Plaza, downtown.

Friday, May 9, 2008

Wildflowers


This flower was only 6" off the ground. I never saw this bee until after I downloaded the photo. Not sure if it was curious or about to strike.

Thursday, May 8, 2008

Any day spent fishing is a good day


A nice way to fish. Wirth Lake at Gateway Park @ I-5 and Mission.

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Guard Cat?



Walking along Winter Street NE, I spied this sweety spying me.

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

At the Coast



Kite surfing at Lincoln City on the Pacific Coast, an hour west.

Monday, May 5, 2008

Gentlemen


With berets and goatees. Found by Carl Jr's. on Lancaster Drive SE.

Sunday, May 4, 2008

Skybridge


I've always appreciated the utility and comfort provided by the various skybridges linking downtown buildings. I just never realized how ugly some of them are. This one connects J.C. Penney's and the Liberty Plaza at Liberty and Chemeketa Sts. downtown.

Saturday, May 3, 2008

Along the Tracks



A nice tree-lined walkway along the tracks. These are behind the Amtrak station on 12th street. Tokyo University is just to the left across the tracks..

Friday, May 2, 2008

Another bit of history


Another wheel, this one found in the countryside just west of town.

Thursday, May 1, 2008

May Theme Day

City Daily Photo theme for May is 'Numbers'. There are 181 members posting today from cities around the world -- see them HERE. I was going to post a photo of a local gasoline pump, but it is too depressing.

This is the main post office on 25th St. SE and the zip code for a large area of town.