Photos of Labor Day in Balboa Park.

A street musician smiles on a sunny Labor Day in Balboa Park.
A street musician smiles on a beautiful Labor Day in Balboa Park.

Labor Day in Balboa Park is no different than any other day. Most museums and attractions are open, and everyone is smiling.

I wanted to take it easy–just enjoy the day–so I headed into the park for an aimless, leisurely stroll…

San Diego Civic Organist Raúl Prieto Ramírez rehearses Stairway to Heaven with a rock band for tonight's final International Summer Organ Festival concert.
San Diego Civic Organist Raúl Prieto Ramírez rehearses Stairway to Heaven with a rock band for tonight’s final International Summer Organ Festival concert.
People enjoy the beauty near the Japanese Friendship Garden's Koi Pond.
People enjoy the beauty near the Japanese Friendship Garden’s Koi Pond.
Progress is being made on the Japanese Friendship Garden's new river, where an historic Great Buddha statue will soon be unveiled.
Progress is being made on the Japanese Friendship Garden’s new river, where a Great Buddha statue will soon be unveiled.

You can see additional photos of the Japanese Friendship Garden’s new stream under construction by clicking here.

Labor Day was quiet at the International Cottages, which were all closed for the holiday.
Labor Day was quiet at the International Cottages, which were all closed for the Monday holiday.
As I walked behind the Balboa Park Club building, I gazed northwest toward the Cabrillo Bridge.
As I walked behind the Balboa Park Club building, I gazed northwest toward the Cabrillo Bridge and took this photo.
On Labor Day, like most days, the 1935 (Old) Cactus Garden in Balboa Park is a quiet place for solitude.
On Labor Day, like most days, the 1935 (Old) Cactus Garden in Balboa Park is a quiet place for solitude.
Families enjoy Labor Day in front of the San Diego Air and Space Museum.
Families enjoy Labor Day in front of the San Diego Air and Space Museum.
People relax on a bench by the old Mack Water Truck just outside the entrance of the San Diego Automotive Museum.
People relax on a bench by the old Mack Water Truck just outside the entrance of the San Diego Automotive Museum.
Walking through Pan American Plaza between the San Diego Automotive Museum and nearby Recital Hall.
Walking through Pan American Plaza between the San Diego Automotive Museum and nearby Recital Hall.
Balboa Park was the ideal place for a picnic this Labor Day.
Balboa Park was the ideal place for a picnic this Labor Day.
Young and old enjoy the famous beauty of Balboa Park's lily pond.
Young and old enjoy the famous beauty of Balboa Park’s lily pond.
All sorts of people were out on the grass enjoying the May S. Marcy Sculpture Garden at the San Diego Museum of Art.
All sorts of people were out on the grass enjoying the May S. Marcy Sculpture Garden at the San Diego Museum of Art.
Visitors were touring the California Tower and gazing across Balboa Park.
Visitors were touring the iconic California Tower and gazing across Balboa Park, one of the most wonderful places in the world.
This group wanted to see fine art so they headed into the San Diego Museum of Art.
This group wanted to see fine art so they headed into the San Diego Museum of Art.
Some smiling street musicians were setting up on El Prado.
Some smiling street musicians were setting up on El Prado to entertain passersby.
The silly Lärabar Street Team danced for my blog, then I got some yummy samples to eat!
The silly Lärabar Street Team danced for my blog, then I got some yummy samples to eat!
Mentalist, hypnotist and super nice guy Ralph Hamrick greets me with his usual smile! I still haven't recovered from that weird mental trick he performed on me.
Mentalist, hypnotist and super nice guy Ralph Hamrick greets me with his usual smile! I still haven’t recovered from that weird mental trick he performed on me.
Street magician Kenny Shelton delights some young people with one of his amazing tricks.
Street magician Kenny Shelton delights some young people with one of his amazing tricks.
Lots of people were enjoying hula hoops on the grass!
Lots of people were enjoying hula hoops on the grass!
The San Diego Blood Bank was saving lives in front of the Museum of Man.
The San Diego Blood Bank was saving lives in front of the Museum of Man.
A quiet moment on Balboa Park's broad, green West Mesa.
A quiet moment on Balboa Park’s broad, green West Mesa.
This squirrel had no notion it was Labor Day. It was just another day in the park.
This squirrel didn’t know today was a holiday. It was just another day in the park.
Even street performers have to eat lunch, you know!
Even street performers have to eat lunch!

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of photos for you to enjoy!

UPDATE: Tweet Street Park becomes more beautiful!

A lush linear park on Cortez Hill, called Tweet Street, has become more and more beautiful with the help of community volunteers!
A lush linear park on Cortez Hill, called Tweet Street, has become more and more beautiful with the help of community volunteers!

People who live in downtown San Diego up on the top of Cortez Hill are lucky. We live next to a wonderful refuge: a garden-like linear park called Tweet Street, which runs along several blocks of Date Street and a couple blocks of Tenth Avenue.

Since my last blog post concerning Tweet Street Park, many improvements have been made. And it’s even more beautiful.

Much of the credit goes to the Friends of Tweet Street Park, a group of community volunteers who work to maintain and improve this neighborhood gem. I often see members of the organization out landscaping, raking, pruning, planting flowers, watering, removing litter, and enjoying San Diego’s sunshine as an added bonus.

Thank you.

If you live on Cortez Hill or simply love San Diego, you might want to check out the Friends of Tweet Street Park page on Facebook by clicking here.

You might also want to visit their brand new Go Fund Me page by clicking here. Your tax deductible donation goes toward buying plants, mulch, decorative bark, gardening tools and other necessary items.

I’d like to share some of that new beauty that I enjoy on many of my walks. Here are a few photos which I took today…

A small section of Tweet Street Park near Eighth Avenue and Date Street which has been improved recently.
A small section of Tweet Street Park near Eighth Avenue and Date Street which has been improved recently.
The hard work of the Friends of Tweet Street Park make this neighborhood refuge a more inviting place!
The hard work of the Friends of Tweet Street Park make this neighborhood garden a more inviting place!
A bit of beauty planted with human hands.
A bit of beauty planted with human hands.
Here's another improved area along Tenth Avenue, near Cedar Street. This was finished just this weekend!
Here’s another improved area along Tenth Avenue, near Cedar Street. This was finished just this weekend!
A generous heart and some muscle make the world a better place for all.
A generous heart and a little bit of muscle make the world a better place for all.

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

Action photos from Labor Day weekend stickball!

Today I enjoyed watching an action-packed game of stickball in Little Italy.

San Diego’s annual Labor Day weekend stickball tournament has become a big community event, with sponsors and media coverage and people on lawn chairs lining sidewalks watching players crush the spaldeen. A solid swing of the broom handle will launch the ball like a rubber rocket to the other end of the block!

When games are underway, I always make it a point to walk through Little Italy, so I can hang out for a bit and watch the stickball teams compete for fame and glory. The action is intense but it’s all in good fun.

I learned that this year the stickball teams are all local. The game I watched had a number of exciting plays.

Here come photos that capture a bit of the flavor…

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

Masterpieces by World Master sand sculptors!

He Left From Here, an angelic sand sculpture by World Master Dmitry Klimenko from St. Petersburg, Russia.
He Left From Here, an angelic sand sculpture by World Master Dmitry Klimenko from St. Petersburg, Russia.

The following photos feature twelve of the most amazing sand sculptures you’re likely to ever see.

Each work of art was created by an internationally famous World Master sand sculptor. And right now, throughout this Labor Day weekend, the public can experience these fantastic works of sand art up close and in person at the 2018 U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge!

The U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge in San Diego, California is considered to be one of the premier Labor Day events in all the United States. At this unique competition, which is held on downtown’s Broadway Pier, visitors can also view incredible sand sculptures carved by super-talented local teams (this year three award-winning teams from Imperial Beach), and all sorts of additional three dimensional artwork along the pier.

But the most extraordinary sand sculptures are inside the pier’s Port Pavilion. And that is what I photographed today.

Prepare to have your breath taken away!

Fantastic art is created by one of the world's top sand sculptors inside San Diego's Port Pavilion at the 2018 U. S. Sand Sculpting Challenge.
Fantastic art is created by one of the world’s top sand sculptors inside San Diego’s Port Pavilion at the 2018 U. S. Sand Sculpting Challenge.
Dmitry Klimenko puts the finishing touches on another of his breathtaking works of sand art.
Dmitry Klimenko puts the finishing touches on a truly breathtaking work of sand art.
Eulogy, a sand sculpture of a rhinoceros by World Master Brian Turnbough from Chicago, Illinois.
Eulogy, a sand sculpture of a rhinoceros by World Master Brian Turnbough from Chicago, Illinois.
The artistry seen in this sand sculpture is extraordinary.
The artistry seen in this sand sculpture is extraordinary.
Brian Turnbough finishes a tribute to the endangered rhinoceros.
Brian Turnbough finishes a tribute to the endangered rhinoceros.
Who Are You?, a fantastic sand sculpture by World Master Agnese Rudzite-Kirillova from Latvia.
Who Are You?, a fantastic sand sculpture by World Master Agnese Rudzite-Kirillova from Latvia.
Closer photo of a remarkable sand sculpture.
Closer photo of a remarkable sand sculpture.
Agnese Rudzite-Kirillova puts the final touches on a sand cat.
Agnese Rudzite-Kirillova puts the final touches on a sand cat.
A visitor to the 2018 U. S. Sand Sculpting Challenge in San Diego admires a small work of art.
A visitor to the 2018 U. S. Sand Sculpting Challenge in San Diego admires a small work of art.
At Last, Atlas' Last Atlas!, a humorous sand sculpture by World Master Morgan Rudluff from Santa Cruz, California.
At Last, Atlas’ Last Atlas!, a humorous sand sculpture by World Master Morgan Rudluff from Santa Cruz, California.
Morgan Rudluff works to finish her sculpture by early afternoon, to meet the competition's deadline.
Morgan Rudluff works to finish her sculpture by early afternoon, to meet the competition’s deadline.
A unique work of art produced by skilled hands and human imagination.
A unique work of art produced by skilled hands and human imagination.
The base of Liberation, a sand sculpture about freedom by World Master Dan Belcher from St. Louis, Missouri.
The base of Liberation, a sand sculpture about freedom by World Master Dan Belcher from St. Louis, Missouri.
An eagle is liberated from a cell-like cage. Dynamic sand art with great emotional impact.
An eagle is liberated from a cell-like cage. Dynamic sand art with great emotional impact.
Existential Paradox, a mysterious sand sculpture by World Master Rusty Croft from Carmel, California.
Existential Paradox, a mysterious sand sculpture by World Master Rusty Croft from Carmel, California.
Peering through an existential paradox at an inner human face.
Peering through the existential paradox at an inner human face.
A part of one face.
A part of one face.
Rusty Croft works on humanity's mysterious inner essence.
Rusty Croft works on humanity’s mysterious inner essence.
Another amazing sand sculpture inside the Port Pavilion!
Another amazing sand sculpture inside the Port Pavilion!
Let's Dance, a fanciful sand sculpture by World Master Meg Murray from Australia.
Let’s Dance, a fanciful sand sculpture by World Master Meg Murray from Australia.
A closer photo of the graceful, organic sand sculpture.
A closer photo of the graceful, organic sand sculpture.
Meg Murray concentrates on her poetic sand art.
Meg Murray concentrates on her poetic sand art.
Rear of the abstract Let's Dance, with some simple sand sculpting tools on a table in the foreground.
Rear of the abstract Let’s Dance, with some simple sand sculpting tools on a table in the foreground.
Victory, a classic sand sculpture by World Master Thomas Koet from Melbourne, Florida.
Victory, a classic sand sculpture by World Master Thomas Koet from Melbourne, Florida.
Another work of art. It seems a miracle that such a fine sculpture can be made out of sand.
Another fine work of art. It seems a miracle that such a detailed sculpture can be made out of sand.
Thomas Koet at work on the back side of his triumphant sand sculpture.
Thomas Koet at work on the back side of his triumphant sand sculpture.
A world-class sand artist at work.
A world-class sand artist at work.
To Have and To Hold, an amazing sand sculpture by World Master Abram Waterman from Prince Edward Island, Canada.
To Have and To Hold, an amazing sand sculpture by World Master Abram Waterman from Prince Edward Island, Canada.
An eye-catching photo of an eye-popping sand sculpture!
An eye-catching photograph of an eye-popping sand sculpture!
This photo makes it appear as though huge hands are clasping the artist Abram Waterman.
This photo makes it appear as though huge hands are clasping the artist Abram Waterman.
Tender love depicted on the rear of the sculpture.
Tender love depicted on the rear of the sculpture.
A beautiful woman is held in the sculpted sand hands--in the eye of the beholder.
A beautiful woman is held in the sculpted sand hands–in the eye of the beholder.
Inspire, a beautiful sand sculpture by World Master Marielle Heessels from Netherlands.
Inspire, a beautiful sand sculpture by World Master Marielle Heessels from Netherlands.
Flowing beauty magically rises from a block of sand.
Flowing beauty magically rises from a block of sand.
An inspirational sand sculpture in San Diego.
An inspirational sand sculpture in San Diego.
Small Victories, a happy sand sculpture by World Master Lucinda "Sandy Feet" Wierenga from South Padre Island, Texas.
Small Victories, a happy sand sculpture by World Master Lucinda “Sandy Feet” Wierenga from South Padre Island, Texas.
Lucinda Wierenga creates amazing detail with very simple tools.
Lucinda Wierenga creates amazing detail with very simple tools.
A butterfly emerges from a flowery bottle of small victories.
A butterfly emerges from a flowery bottle full of small victories.
Celebration, or Cerebration, a brainy sand sculpture by World Master Leonardo Ugolini from Italy.
Celebration, or Cerebration, a cool sand sculpture by World Master Leonardo Ugolini from Italy. Small figures gaze up at a gigantic brain!
Astonishing art awaits visitors on Labor Day weekend in San Diego at the 2018 U. S. Sand Sculpting Challenge!
Astonishing art awaits visitors on Labor Day weekend in San Diego at the 2018 U. S. Sand Sculpting Challenge!

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of photos for you to enjoy!

A story about youth embarking on life’s journey.

I finished writing another very short story. It’s title Here We Go.

I suppose my own life experience is stirred into this small work of fiction. At least a few glimmers.

As our journey moves forward from youth to old age, who knows what we’ll encounter around every mysterious bend?

As we peer out of our eye-windows, what will we find? What will we learn?

You can read this dreamlike story by clicking here.

Golden light splashes upon two famous ships.

Sunlight brightens west-facing art glass windows on the passenger deck of the steam ferry Berkeley.
Sunlight brightens west-facing art glass windows inside the passenger deck of the steam ferry Berkeley.

The days are becoming shorter.

Hoping to enjoy every last drop of daylight, this evening I lingered by San Diego Bay.

As the sun neared the horizon, golden light splashed upon two famous museum ships: the steam ferry Berkeley, and the aircraft carrier USS Midway.

The beautiful art glass windows of the Berkeley remind one of the glowing stained glass found inside cathedrals.
The amazing art glass windows of the Berkeley remind one of glowing stained glass found inside cathedrals.
Light streams up along the historic ship's simple ceiling.
Light streams up along the historic ferryboat’s ceiling.
Splashes of sunlight reflect from the floor, woodwork and empty benches inside the passenger deck of Berkeley.
Splashes of golden sunlight reflect from the floor, woodwork and empty benches inside the passenger deck of Berkeley.
The sun nears the horizon beyond the USS Midway Museum, reflecting from tranquil San Diego Bay.
The sun nears the horizon beyond the USS Midway Museum, reflecting like a band of gold on San Diego Bay.
Late sunlight splashes the immense bow of the USS Midway with gold.
Golden sunlight splashes the immense bow of the USS Midway.

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

More colorful street art in City Heights!

A funky face spray painted on a utility box on El Cajon Boulevard in City Heights.
A funky face has been spray painted on a utility box on El Cajon Boulevard in City Heights.

I recently walked through several blocks of City Heights, along a short stretch of El Cajon Boulevard from 35th Street to Interstate 15. I remained on the south side of San Diego’s historic boulevard, where I saw many examples of colorful street art.

Enjoy these photos!

Another side of the cool box.
Another side of the cool box.
And another!
And another!
This utility box is decorated with unusual fast food street art. A lady with crossed out eyes speaks pizza.
This utility box is decorated with unusual fast food street art. A lady with crossed out eyes speaks pizza.
Drinking through a straw on the sidewalk.
Drinking through a straw on a seemingly littered sidewalk.
Bunches of odd, globular faces make for some unique street art.
Bunches of odd, globular faces make for some unique street art.
All sorts of humanish expressions.
All sorts of humanish expressions.
Now I'm walking east along El Cajon Boulevard approaching the Soda Bar.
Now I’m walking east along El Cajon Boulevard approaching the Soda Bar.
Fun emoji-like faces on the wall of the Soda Bar in City Heights.
Fun emoji-like faces on the wall of the Soda Bar in City Heights.
Cool art in a window of Allegory Tattoo.
Cool art in a window of Allegory Tattoo.
Bees in a hive on this eye-catching electrical box.
Bees in a hive on this eye-catching electrical box.
Trashcans on the sidewalk feature the Boulevard graphics.
Trashcans on the sidewalk feature iconic the Boulevard graphics.
Beautiful flowers painted on a transformer box.
Beautiful flowers painted on a transformer box.
A child reaches out to touch a bright green essence.
A child reaches out to touch a bright green essence.
Surprising street art on El Cajon Boulevard in City Heights.
Surprising street art on El Cajon Boulevard in City Heights.

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of photos for you to enjoy!

The ribbon of life, five years later…

A photo of the mural Our River was the first thing I ever posted to Cool San Diego Sights. I had paused during a walk in Mission Valley, and had felt inspired take a few pictures. That was five years ago.

Today I returned to the same mural.

The beautifully painted artwork, depicting the San Diego River as a blue ribbon, has faded a little. Time is inexorable. But the message of unity and care has touched many.

Perhaps life unspools like a river. Sources along the way expand our being. We deepen and grow. Until we finally become a part of that great ocean.

Let us sparkle along the way.

Row and paddle on Mission Bay for the Cure!

Today I learned about a very cool event!

On Saturday, October 13 people from all walks of life will be rowing and paddling to cure breast cancer! Rowers, canoers, outrigger canoers, dragon boats, kayakers and stand up paddle boarders are all invited!

The 18th Annual Row For The Cure will take place on Mission Bay and benefits Susan G. Komen San Diego. Funds raised will go toward helping those affected by breast cancer, providing education and screenings, and ultimately finding a cure.

This aquatic event on gentle Mission Bay will feature both a beginner’s course and a competitive course. If you don’t own a paddleboard, you’ll be able to rent one on-site.

To learn more or sign up, visit the event webpage here!

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Are you a blogger? Do you want to help make the world a better place? You might want to join Bloggers Lifting Others Generously.

Funny photographs from the past five years!

A humorous sign on the sidewalk. Head into this barber shop and come out a completely different person!
A humorous sign on the sidewalk. Head into this barber shop and come out a completely different person!

This morning I was riding the trolley to work when I had a silly idea.

To celebrate five years of Cool San Diego Sights, why not post some funny photos from a variety of old blog posts? Because I’m lazy, or perhaps because it adds to the element of random craziness, I haven’t changed the original captions.

Enjoy a bit of humor on a Monday!

A deer dressed in a polo shirt. Humorous street art in Golden Hill.
A deer dressed in a polo shirt. Humorous street art in Golden Hill.
This side of the fun Bart Club utility box has the funny cartoon character's face in need of a shave!
This side of the fun Bart Club utility box has the funny cartoon character’s face in need of a shave!
Funny Star Wars street art in San Diego. Jar Jar Binks says Meesa Lova Comic Con.
Funny Star Wars street art in San Diego. Jar Jar Binks says Meesa Lova Comic Con.
Smile! It's Friday!
Smile! It’s Friday!
Like the mythical Atlas holding up the Earth, an incredibly strong person single-handedly shoulders the moon.
Like the mythical Atlas holding up the Earth, an incredibly strong person single-handedly shoulders the moon.
Just a funny sign on the grass I thought I'd share.
Just a funny sign on the grass I thought I’d share.
Is that a digital Sheldon Cooper on the screen? No! It's a fun remote-control parade float created by the Balboa Park Online Collaborative.
Is that a digital Sheldon Cooper on the screen? No! It’s a funny remote-control parade “float” created by the Balboa Park Online Collaborative.
A well-dressed gorilla on a plate in a funny San Diego shop window. I also see some wind-up chattering teeth.
A well-dressed gorilla on a plate in a funny San Diego shop window. I also see some wind-up chattering teeth.
Jack in the Box's Crave Van smashed through a wall of comic books in the Interactive Zone! Too much fun!
Jack in the Box’s Crave Van smashed through a wall of comic books in the Interactive Zone! Too much fun!
This funny fellow was carrying the Morning Paper down Sixth Avenue.
This funny fellow was carrying the Morning Paper down Sixth Avenue.
Why is this silly guy acting like a jellyfish.
Why is this silly guy acting like a jellyfish.
A bench shaped like a mustache. A fun sight in front of a barber shop.
A bench shaped like a mustache. A fun sight in front of a barber shop.
And here's something scary! It's probably an old disgruntled lighthouse keeper in a yellow slicker cleverly disguised as a monster. Just my wild guess.
And here’s something scary! It’s probably an old disgruntled lighthouse keeper in a yellow slicker cleverly disguised as a monster. Just my wild guess.
Before the official start of the 2016 MLB All-Star Game Red Carpet Parade, team mascots begin down the route through downtown San Diego.
Before the official start of the 2016 MLB All-Star Game Red Carpet Parade, team mascots begin down the route through downtown San Diego.
A wonderfully bizarre downtown San Diego poster. Fear the power of Sushi Burrito. Finish off your evil hunger!
A wonderfully bizarre downtown San Diego poster. Fear the power of Sushi Burrito. Finish off your evil hunger!
Perhaps this chili was the winner. Looks tasty, if you don't mind that it's served from a toilet!
Perhaps this chili was the winner. Looks tasty, if you don’t mind that it’s served from a toilet!
A guy in a crazy cow costume gets a photograph of the cattle drive.
A guy in a crazy cow costume gets a photograph of the cattle drive.
Crazy people wearing shark heads were promoting Sharknado 2.
Crazy people wearing shark heads were promoting Sharknado 2.
A very funny utility box. This side shows a woman at the beach covering the eyes of a small boy.
A very funny utility box. This side shows a woman at the beach covering the eyes of a small boy.
A funny sign on the sidewalk near Cooper's Market and Cafe. Look Morty, they have carbs and caffeine!
A funny sign on the sidewalk near Cooper’s Market and Cafe. Look Morty, they have carbs and caffeine!
A funny inflatable in a shop window. The holidays are over! Time for The Scream!
A funny inflatable in a shop window. The holidays are over! Time for The Scream!

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of photos for you to enjoy!