Very Zen...

I can’t say it any better than Shelly S.: ” I love the beautiful photos of the Japanese Garden John has sent in, but you don’t always need a perfect day! Here’s one of my favorites, taken on a cloudy day, with the perfect matching quote by a Zen master."



When you hear the splash
Of the water drops that fall
Into the stone bowl,
You will feel that all the dust
Of your mind is washed away.
- Sen-No-Rikyu

Sacred Art of the Sand Mandala

This is a great photo and story from Kathy M. “Five Tibetan monks from the Drepung Loseling Phukhang Khangtsen Monastery of southern India, renowned for their construction of sacred sand mandalas, were at the Portland Central Library last week. Portland was part of a three month multi-city tour. Look at the concentration and precision displayed by this monk, despite all the activity around him. Two monks worked all-day for about four days to complete this mandala (still incomplete when this picture was taken).” I sure wish I had seen this in person. Thank you Kathy!

Goldenrod Crab Spider

John W. steps out of the Japanese Garden and onto his front porch to take this picture. He offers the following narrative:” Well its spider time in Portland. This photo of a Goldenrod Crab Spider (had to look it up!) was taken one morning on my front porch. I've never seen another but this one was quite beautiful… for a spider, ugh, they still give me the creeps”. Great shot and well said John, thank you!

Park Colors

I am surprised it has taken me this long, but last week I made a rather big error. I overlooked this submission from a regular contestant. Due to this fact, I am allowing Adam T. to submit two photo’s into this week’s contest. This is the photo titled “Park Colors” that Adam submitted last week. He states: “I have found that some photos should not be touched and others are just waiting for it. With that being said, this one got the full tweak!” Sorry for the mistake Adam, please keep the photo’s coming.

Week 15 Winner

Portland is a very ‘dog friendly’ town. In some cases we allow our four legged members of the family to get away with murder as my front yard will often attest. It is so nice to see a good mannered well behaved canine flaunting its obedience skills. Mike B. captured what I am referring to with this week’s contest winner. Nice work Mike!

Two weeks left to submit those photos everyone. Please keep them coming and thank you to everyone who has made this contest so much fun!

Fall Reflections

One of my favorite things about this time of year is the fact that you can drive through a monsoon on one stretch of road, then take the corner and drive on perfectly dry pavement. This photo from Monica S. illustrates what I am referring to. There are several parts to this photo that I really enjoy, but ir screams ‘Fall in Portland, Or.’ Thank you Monica.

Goose Hollow Wall

If there is one thing we Portlandians have an abundance of, it’s color. Interpret that as you will, but this photo from Molly C. shows the beauty that can come from concrete, rain, surrounding foliage and neglect. Cool photo Molly, thank you.

A Rock at Japanese Gardens

John W has submitted another photo from his breathtaking Fall day at the Japanese Gardens several years back. As he stated earlier, rarely does the perfect light on the perfect day at the perfect time of day at the ideal location come together to create lighting like this. Amazing series of photos John, thank you.

Taking a Rest on It's Way Down

This fall photo was submitted by Michael B. who wrote the following dialog to go with it: "This photo is of a leaf at Tryon Creek State Park in Portland. I love how sometimes leaves that have fallen from a tree don't necessarily make it all the way to the ground, but instead find a different resting spot. Here, it had just rained, too." Thanks for the great pic Michael.

Stil wet... Just a bit colder.

John K. submitted this photo with the following description: "The attached picture was taken on a very hot, sunny day in July, 2010 (which seems to me like a long time ago, now that Daylight Savings Time and the dry weather are gone). The kids are playing in a wall of water at the Salmon Street Springs fountain." Great shot John, thank you!

A Girl and Her Dog

When I received this photo from Mike B. I read his short description, than opened the photo and immediately laughed out loud. It is no secret that I am a dog lover. The news is that my fiance and I just ordered our first puppy together. For the first time in my life, I had to consider the temperament of the breed and how good they would be with children. As much as I love Great Danes (the gentle giants), it was not a consideration due to it's size but these dogs are great with kids. This picture amused me to my very core and the timing was perfect. Thank you Mike!

Bridge Pedal 2008

Here is a neat photo taken by Robert G. from the tram station at OHSU. This is the Providence Bridge Pedal of 2008. I have never actually done this event, but I have heard that it's a whole different experience reaching the top of these bridges and looking down at the city from an angle we rarely have the opportunity to enjoy.

'Dark' Bridge

Here is another great photo from our own Matt Dark. Once again, ineligible for a win, but I really liked this photo so I thought I would share it. The white light streaking across the frame is a bicyclist. Very nice Matt!

Sauvie Island Painter

Kathy M submitted this photo of an artist painting the horizon on Sauvie Island. I really like this photo. The painter is REALLY good and her lifelike photo makes the whole scene pretty trippy. It's like a picture of a picture...of a picture. Thanks for sharing this with us Kathy.

Draw Bridge

Shelly S. submits this photo this week of a barge passing below the Burnside Bridge. Shelly states: "This is also from my last Sat Market outing. As my friend was getting something to eat, I wandered over to the river and got there just in time for a bridge raising! Love that 'a river runs through it' in our beautiful little city..." Personally, it doesn't matter how old I get, I always get geeked out by these events...except when it's during rush-hour.

Black Swan

Heidi W. Submitted this photo knowing she couldn't win with the following comments: "Yes, I work at World Cup Coffee. I just had to send in this picture of this black swan. It comes to visit our houseboat on the Columbia River almost daily. This beautiful, obviously domesticated creature, eats gently right out of your hand. Pretty rare in the wild here, we think, as they are native to Australia. We love him/her!" Thank you Heidi (Driver Extraordinaire)!

Week 14 Winner

This weeks winner is John K. with this photo of the Mt. Tabor Pumphouse #5. All the ratings were very divers this week, but this came through the judging process as the clear winner. We receive a lot of amazing photo's and I honestly dread the conclusion of this contest at the end of the month. Thank you John for this photo.

Eastbank Esplanade

Last, but certainly not least… Satara R. has submitted this photo of the Eastbank Esplanade. Great photo Satara, I am a sucker for uniformity (not a common Portland mentality, I know).

This will be our last photo for this week as Satara slipped in just under the wire. Our weekly winner will be announced later this afternoon. There are only three weeks left in the competition, so please submit away!

Portland Fungus

This photo was submitted from one of our own employees. Matt Dark has been one of our prized baristas for years. He recently moved into our office sales division as a driver, but he is still ineligible to win the contest. This doesn’t mean I can’t show off his work. Matt has some great pictures on his own site linked at the bottom of our right-side column. Thanks Matt.

Shameless...but Shiny

You look at this photo from Mark M. and I know what your thinking. Luckily he said it so I don't have to: "This is shameless advertising on my part, but the photos are creative and I am of amateur standing. :)" Mark is a good and loyal customer so... well, you know! I do actually like the photo though, probably because it's so shiny. Thank you Mark!