Reader Photos (Round II) - April 2012

I've gotten a ton of photo submissions from readers lately, thanks! I truly enjoy seeing other people's perspectives of this city and am glad I have the opportunity to share them with my viewers.

Some of these were submitted to me via email and some were uploaded to the Portland Daily Photo Flickr Group. Since I got multiple submissions from some people, I will try keep it fair and post one photo from each contributor in this post. Here we go, in no particular order:

"Proselytizing." Taken in Tommy's Park by Flickr user maine_mike.  

By Flickr user TimothyPatrickMcMahon. Taken on a trail between the Ocean Ave dog park and the old city dump.

Untitled, by Flickr user george weatherbee.  A dramatic view towards Congress Square. 

"Portland Skate Park," by Flickr user wayupstream.  I have to check this place out someday. 

"Maquoit II," by Zach Beane on Flickr. 

"A Day of Winter," by Brandt Hatala. 

Cruising the East End, by Nick Power. This photo features the Flowfold Ipad Sleeve, which made out of recycled sailcloth and is produced locally on Peaks Island. 

"Never Enough," by Elizabeth Goodine. Taken outside of a watch shop on Exchange Street.

"Cake," by Flickr user Tom Whitney Photography. Taken on Wharf Street.

Before and After: Baxter Library Building

Here's a before and after set of Congress Street, looking West from Congres Square:

Photo via the Library of Congress website. 

From a similar spot, taken by me. 

I love the plentiful street trees and the trolley system present in the before photo. The ornate brick building on the right is the Baxter Library building. It was built in 1900 and housed the main branch of the Portland Public Library system until the late 1970's when it moved to it's current location in Monument Square. The Joanne Waxman Library, part of the Maine College of Art, occupied the building from the 70's until 2000 when it consolidated with the rest of MECA in the Porteous building.  Upon completion of a beautiful restoration project in 2010, the Via Agency moved into the building and is still going strong.

Spring on Lower Exchange

Some wide angle action on Exchange Street:

Lobster Door Knocker

Spotted on Park Street.

Free Fridays

The Portland Museum of Art has free admission every Friday evening, not just on Friday Friday, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. (made possible through the generous support of L.L.Bean and Patricia and Cyrus Hagge). Here's a couple photos from the museum.

The main lobby area.

Looking out a dirty window toward Congress Square. 

Underpass

A colorless view of Veranda Street, the section where I-295 passes overhead. 

Congress Street Foliage

Some more springtime scenes on Congress Street:

In front of Portland City Hall

First Parish Church

Eastern Cemetery in Bloom

Some beautiful trees in bloom inside the Eastern Cemetery. 

Looking Up

A couple looking up at one of Portland's ugliest and most insulting buildings, located on Cumberland Avenue. The building houses telecommunications equipment for Fairpoint Communications, I believe. I'm still not sure what they were looking at, which I find adds to the charm of the photo.

Mackworth Island

Last weekend I stopped by Mackworth Island in Falmouth for some photos. As noted on the Portland Trails page for the Mackworth Island Trail, the 1.25 mile loop around the island, the island was once the home of James Phinney Baxter and son (and Maine Governor in the 1920's) Percival Baxter. The island is currently the home of the Baxter School for the Deaf.

Sit and Swing.

The Western Shore

Rocky coastline. Munjoy Hill is in the background.

Zooming back towards Munjoy Hill and the Eastern Promenade.

Zoomed southward towards Fort Gorges and Portland Head Light in Cape Elizabeth.

Dramatic portrait of my bicycle on the causeway that connects Mackworth Island to mainland Falmouth.

Flea For All - Now Open!

The much anticipated Portland Flea For All is now open! The Flea is located at 125 Kennebec Street, in the heart of Bayside and will be open every Saturday and Sunday from 10am-5pm. I had a photographic preview of the space a couple weeks ago, and as promised made it out to opening day for a couple more pictures of everything in action. I was amazed/happy to see so many people wandering around the neighborhood and checking out this excellent addition to Portland's buy-local economy. 

Flea For All front entrance.

1st Floor

2nd Floor

Modern

Facade of the Hilton Garden Inn Portland Downtown Waterfront on Commercial Street.