Farewell 2016

Time to wrap up another year! I went through the archives and picked one photo to represent each month from the past year. There were a lot of scenic days and nights, and some cool non-Portland adventures over the year as well. Thanks for following along and I wish you a Happy 2017!

Throwback: Monument Way, December 2011

For today's Thursday Throwback, a look at the holiday lights along Monument Way back in December 2011. There are few less trees here currently, although they might be planting some more next year.

Shepley Windows

The many windows of The Shepley, an apartment building, at the corner of Casco and Shepley Streets. The repetition and symmetry often catches my eye.

Monument Square, December 2016

Walkin' Around the Christmas Tree - Passing by the holiday decorations in Monument Square on a recent evening. Merry Christmas if you are celebrating it today!

East Bayside, December 2016

From last weekend, a stroll around the East Bayside neighborhood in the snow.

Art Department

The interesting facade of the Maine College of Art headquarters at night. The building, originally home to a department store named Porteous, Mitchell & Braun Co., dates back to 1904. I imagine it would have been an impressive store to explore back in the day.

Lincoln Park, Minus Fountain

A quiet afternoon in Lincoln Park. Notice anything missing? The fountain, a piece of the city's public art collection, has been removed for restoration. When it returns, it will be cleaner and a bit taller thanks to the addition of a top tier that had been removed at some point.

Back Cove Trio

Three egrets striking a pose in the shallows of Back Cove, from September.

Story Fence

Excerpts of stories selected by students at The Telling Room, a nonprofit writing center, decorate the new fence alongside 89 Anderson Street in East Bayside. 

Monument Square Snow Globe

Looking through a fence outside of One City Center towards Monument Square. I thought it had a snow globe look to it, almost.

India Street Neighborhood & Moon

The moon rising above the India Street Neighborhood the other evening. This part of town is going through a lot of change, which makes for interesting photographs.

Deering Oaks Park, Dec. 2008

For this Thursday throwback, here's what Deering Oaks Park looked like on December 14, 2008. It looks much the same right now with a similar amount of snow cover and recent cold temperatures.

Congress Square Park, Dec. 2016

The view from Congress Square Park as of this evening. As a member of the Portland Public Art Committee, I encourage you to check out the pubic meeting tomorrow at the Westin concerning the redesign of this space. Details here.

Observatory, December 2016

Looking up towards the Portland Observatory, atop Munjoy Hill.

Longfellow's Lights, December 2016

A little bit of snow brightening up Longfellow Square today.

State of Love

A message of love, from up above (the State Theater).

Longfellow/LFK

A reflection of the lights in Longfellow Square in the windows of LFK (a bar/restaurant).

City Hall Christmas Tree

The Christmas Tree in front of Portland City Hall was looking festive earlier this week after a dusting of snow.

Fort Allen Park, June 2014

For this Thursday Throwback, a bathroom with a view (overlooking Fort Allen Park). From June 2014.

Pine Street Doors, December 2016

Another good looking holiday-themed door, spotted on Pine Street in Portland's West End.

Monumen Way, December 2016

Looking up Monument Way towards the Square and the Our Lady of Victories statue.

Deering & State Doorway

A little bit of snow today made for a photogenic evening stroll. Here's a doorway at the corner of Deering and State Streets.

MECA Holiday Lights

Some of Pandora LaCasse Design's lights gracing the front of Maine College of Art along Congress Street again this winter.

Holidays in the City

Dare I say, it's beginning to look a bit like the holidays around town. Especially from this spot looking towards Monument Square.

I Saw the Light

Going not too far back for this Thursday Throwback. This shot of the little-known "Portland Head Light" is from October.

Flowers to Go

The contrast of attractive (and I assume, fake) flowers in a dirty old dump truck caught my eye on a recent Munjoy Hill stroll.

Rainy November Evening

A recent rainy evening, looking south over Spring Street in Portland. The lights in the sky are from a plane approaching the Jetport.

A Flower Grows in Bayside

A cheerful mural in Bayside, between Parris and Brattle Streets. Directly behind where I was standing when taking the photo is Fork Food Lab, a community kitchen and tasting room.

November Colors

A bit of color on an otherwise grey day on Munjoy Hill.

Foggy Fall Mornings

It was a nice foggy morning for a waterfront stroll. One must always take the classic photo of Custom House Wharf on a day like this.

2017 Calendar Sale

In the mood to shop today? You can use coupon code "NIGEL35" to save 35% on my 2017 calendar. To avoid paying expedited shipping costs, order by Dec 10th! Order here.

Fall Day by the Bay

A portion of the Eastern Waterfront and the George Cleeve statue on a somewhat-grey fall day.

Eastern Prom Benches, Nov. 2016

Benches along the Eastern Promenade, on Munjoy Hill. These benches offer some of the best views in town.

Mash Tun

Passing by the Portland Mash Tun brew pub on Wharf Street on a recent evening. Looks like a cozy spot for this time of year.  

Eastern Promenade Railroad

An engine belonging to the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Co. & Museum chugging along the Eastern Promenade on a recent afternoon.

30

Looking at part of the facade of 30 Deering Street in Portland's Parkside neighborhood. This building is more formally known as the Thomas Brackett Reed House.

Blue Sky and Brick

Blue sky and interesting architecture along Congress Street near Congress Square.

Park Street Vines, Nov. 2016

Park Street is one of my favorite streets in Portland. Today's photo features some interesting looking vines climbing up the row houses and nearby lamppost.

Throwback - Sunday Best

For this week's Thursday throwback, here's one from back in the day - November 2011. Can't pass up a timeless sort of photo opportunity like this.

Moon Over Cumberland Avenue

A wide view of my spot for capturing Monday night's super moon over Cumberland Avenue.

City Hall Supermoon

The actual "supermoon" rising behind City Hall this evening. The moon was so bright I couldn't figure out how to expose it properly without negatively affecting the rest of the photo.

Old Port Moon, November 2016

Another look at the moon over the Old Port on Saturday evening.

Moon over Mariner's Church

Tonight's moon rising beyond the Mariner's Church building on Fore Street. Is everyone ready for the next "supermoon" coming on Monday?

Forest Ave. Brick Alley

A cozy alleyway off of Forest Avenue. Looks like a spot to film a scene in a gritty crime drama.

Gold St. Mural

The new-ish mural along Gold Street in the Old Port, by artist Mike Rich. It provides a neat look into the past from this spot, when ships docked just on the other side of Commercial Street.

El Rayo Taqueria

The new location of El Rayo Taqueria is now open on Free Street. Here's an aerial view of the front entrance on a recent evening.

Pumpkin Eat Pumpkin

This is a week late for Halloween, but I appreciate this pumpkin display on Deering Street enough to share it today.

Vertical Vines

Vines growing up a side of the The Westin Portland Harborview Hotel (formerly the Eastland) off of High Street. How long will it take for the vines to reach the top?