Exposition Sky

Part of a pretty sunset above the Portland Exposition Building. The "Expo" will be celebrating it's 100th birthday in 2015. 

Tulip Time

A patch of dark purple/violet tulips along the Western Promenade:

In other news, Kate McCarty of the Blueberry Files blog recently release her first book, "Portland Food: The Culinary Capital of Maine." Stop by Sherman's Books (49 Exchange Street) tomorrow from 1-3pm for a special book launch event. If you'd like a chance at winning a copy of the book (which features a couple of my photos inside!), I happen to be giving away a copy here. Be sure to enter the giveaway by midnight on Sunday.

Flower Basket

A decorative bicycle with a basket of flowers parked outside of Corey & Co. on Pleasant Street. 

West End Whimsy

These two homes, conveniently located next to one another on Chadwick Street, always catch my eye when I am strolling around the West End. Maybe it's because they add a bit of whimsy to the otherwise serious-looking brick mansions that surround them. 

A Spring Sight

Another view of the trees along Commercial Street when they were in bloom:

Flowing Water

I got around to trying a long-ish exposure of some flowing water a few weekends ago at Presumpscot Falls. This would have been more impressive if I had a tripod and a neutral density filter on me but I am pretty happy with what I captured.

And here's a photo of a footbridge along a nearby path: 

Under Construction: 2014

Time again for a new entry in my somewhat regular "Under Construction" series which highlights the notable new development around the peninsula. 

First up is the newly opened Courtyard Marriott Portland Downtown/Waterfront located at 321 Commercial Street. This one is especially noteworthy for me as it features gigantic versions of two of my photos inside. The first one is pictured below in the front lobby. 

And the fitness room has an inspirational photo collage from the 2012 Trail to Ale race which benefits Portland Trails:

Here's the exterior of the Courtyard Marriott. I think the other end of the building has a first floor space for a restaurant to move in as well.

I posted some closer-up shots recently, so here's a further-away shot of the new Hyatt Place Hotel at 433 Fore Street which opened last week:

A stroll up the Hill will lead you to the new 118 on Munjoy Hill project,  a great looking infill building. There was previously a one-story office building with a street-facing parking lot here.  The new building features 12 luxury condos and ground floor retail space.

Meanwhile in the West End, the corner of Pine and Brackett Streets (most recently home a parking lot and vacant house) will be home to West End Place. The place will feature 39 luxury apartments and ground floor retail. 

And heading back East, we have 409 Cumberland Avenue, an Avesta Housing project that will offer 46 "affordable apartments" and 11 "market-rate apartments."

Last, but not least, Munjoy Heights is rising on the slope of Munjoy Hill near Walnut Street and will feature 29 luxury townhomes with pretty nice views of downtown and Back Cove. 

May Flowers

Sticking with the recent flower theme today with a shot off of Free Street:

Greenbelt Sunset

A pleasantly silhouetted tree along the Greenbelt Walkway in South Portland. A bit of Portland can be seen in the distance under a blanket of fog. 

Custom House Reflected

An interesting reflection of the Custom House in the window of a business on Pearl Street:

Fore & Union

The corner of Fore and Union Streets in the Old Port, next to the very recently opened Hyatt Place Hotel. 

 A neat detail of the hotel that isn't visible from the street is the lighting around the top of the structure. The lighting also appears on the front of the building and is visible from quite a distance (when crossing the Casco Bay Bridge for instance).

Cherry Tree & Fence

A tree in bloom at the historic Eastern Cemetery at the foot of Munjoy Hill: