On a December day I took a pleasant hike on the Vera Katz Eastbank Esplanade along the Willamette River.

After crossing the walkaway undersneath the Steel Bridge, I took a loop through the Pearl.

I couldn’t help but notice the number of visible construction cranes along the way on both sides of the River, but especially in the Pearl District.

The cranes truly are the official “bird” of Portland. They are an obvious symbol of the growth the city is experiencing.

Crane in the Pearl

Crane near the waterfront

Free bikes provided by City in the Pearl – – not much in use on a sunny day

Construction in the Pearl

A common sight from the Pearl

Construction Cranes on the east side of the River

Construction crane at the west end of the Hawthorne Bridge

A much too common sight in Portland these days