These Summer Nights

From Wednesday evening, looking down Exchange Street from where it intersects with Federal Street. If you stand here tonight you'll see a slightly bigger moon in the sky, since there will be a "blue moon" today (the second full moon in a calendar month).

State Street Vines

Vines growing along the side of the State Street Congregational Church.

Window to the Sea

Another shot from last week's trip down to South Portland. This view is looking through the old Fort Preble, near Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse. 

Save Salt

The Time & Temperature Building is promoting a group named "Save Salt" this week. The group is trying to save the Salt Institute for Documentary Studies, also pictured below on the left, which may be closing soon due to financial challenges. The good news is that Salt is now looking at a possible partnership with the nearby Maine College of Art.

Time & Temp View

The view looking northwest over Bayside and Back Cove, from an upper floor of the Time and Temperature Building. 

Jetport Art

The sculpture called "Tidal Moon," by artist Jesse Salisbury, sits outside of the old terminal at the Portland International Jetport. You can read about the piece on the Public Art Committee's website. 

Portland Farmers' Market, July 2015

From this morning's Farmers' Market in Deering Oaks, always a photogenic place.

Fort Allen Music

A crowd gathered at the Fort Allen Park Gazebo to watch musician Jason Spooner last week. The Friends of the Eastern Promenade  organization hosts free concerts here on Thursday evenings in July and August.

Lighthouse Season

A classic view of Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse (and Fort Gorges in the distance), looking through a section of the old Fort Preble. 

Fore at Franklin

Looking west on Fore Street from where it intersects with Franklin Street. A bit of the late afternoon sun is shining on the far side of the Custom House. 

Square to Sunset

From Monument Square, looking down Preble Street at the last light of a recent sunset.

Sailing Tall

From yesterday's Tall Ships Portland tours. Today is the last day to check them out up-close before they sail away.

Tall Ship Tour

From the deck of the SSV Oliver Hazard Perry, looking towards the El Galeón Andalucía and the Portland waterfront.

Tall Ships Portland

From today's Tall Ships Portland parade of sail, a view of the masts on the El Galeón Andalucía. El Galeón is "a replica of a 16th-17th century galleon, the only one in the world that sails in present days." Several ships will be open for tours during the festival Sunday and Monday. 

Summer Stroll

A late-afternoon stroll along the Eastern Prom Trail.

Fort Allen Park, July 2015

Looking up the hill at Fort Allen Park on a beautiful summer day. The Friends of the Eastern Promenade group is hosting concerts in the gazebo every Thursday night this summer, details here. 

Portland by Kayak

A pair of kayakers paddling around the old Back Cove railroad bridge, from the Eastern Promenade:

Federal Street Folly

A glance at the Federal Street Folly, a small pop-up park on Federal Street between Exchange and Market Streets. Organized by the new Press Hotel, the folly will be set up for a few warm-weather months and will occasionally host planned events. It's a pretty cool little space, and the benches, lighting, and trees look really nice.

Portland Mural Initiative

Artwork by the Portland Mural Initiative along the Bayside Trail. This particular piece is by Greta Van Campen. The mural initiative "aims to bring contemporary art into the public spaces of Portland and its surrounding areas." 

Stroudwater Lilies

From almost the same spot as yesterday's photo, a scenic patch of Lilies in bloom.

Summer at the Tate House

The Tate House, a landmark in Portland's Stroudwater Village since 1755, is open for tours from June to October each year. The house was originally built for George Tate, a "Royal Navy captain who ... oversaw the felling and shipment of trees for use as masts." 

Reclaiming Spring Street

Glad to see that work is under way on Spring Street as a result of the "Spring Street - Free Street Area Streetscape Plan" from a few years ago.  In addition to removal of the center median and the addition of better pedestrian and bicycle amenities, the more urban street will make several spots more attractive for future development. 

Above Commercial Street, Night

A nighttime version of this previous photo, looking east above Commercial Street.

Oysters to Go

A new food cart, BP's Shuck Shack, made an appearance at the July First Friday Art Walk on Congress Street. It's usually spotted around Commercial Street.  

Press Hotel View

A view from atop the Press Hotel last evening, looking down the Exchange Street side.

Evo

A peek inside of Evo, a new restaurant and bar "serving a modern fusion of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines." It's located in the Hyatt Place hotel building on Fore Street.

Fore Street Sunset, July 2015

Looking west on Fore Street. Can you spot all three hotels in this shot?

Happy Birthday America

A couple of American flags flying behind Pleasant Street on this patriotic day.

Boat and Buoys

A lobster boat docked on the west side of Widgery Wharf.

So. St. Bike

I'm always on the lookout for photogenic bicycles. This one was parked on South Street, just off of Pleasant Street. 

Rocky Shores

Fresh gravel adds a bit of interest to this classic view down the east side of Widgery Wharf.