In a nook of Balboa Park’s Spanish Village, right next to the San Diego Mineral and Gem Society building, you’ll find this interesting contraption. Is it an antique device once used to navigate a ship? Is it a microscope? What is it?
It’s a kaleidoscope mounted above a revolving bowl of flowers! Instead of turning the kaleidoscope tube, you whirl the bowl of blooms and watch different colorful patterns form through the lens. Several mirrors in the tube create the complex symmetry.
Once I figured out what the contraption was, I tried putting my camera right up to the eyepiece. I got a bunch of interesting photos!
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This is so much fun. I’ll have to look for it next time I go to Balboa park. So it is located where all the other hospitality houses are?
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It’s in Spanish Village, where all the artist studios are–between the Natural History Museum and the San Diego Zoo. You can find it just as you’re about to leave Spanish Village heading north toward the Miniature Railroad. It’s definitely worth checking out! Unfortunately, most people just walk on by the “flower kaleidoscope” and don’t know what it is.
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Thanks for the directions. I’ve not ventured into Spanish Village but will do so next time I”m there!
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Spanish Village is one of the best parts of Balboa Park! Have fun!
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Reblogged this on Walk with me and commented:
Very fun thing to look for at Balboa Park, San Diego, CA
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