Tag: beautiful

A beautiful city of silver and gold.

Late afternoon stroll on the pier between Tuna Harbor and Seaport Village. The Manchester Grand Hyatt towers are glowing in a dramatic sky.
Late afternoon stroll on the pier between Tuna Harbor and Seaport Village. The Manchester Grand Hyatt towers are glowing in a dramatic sky.

Late this afternoon I took a stroll through a beautiful city of silver and gold. Here are the photos…

Walking through Seaport Village toward the Marriott Marquis and Marina. The beautiful hotel is shining like precious silver.
Walking through Seaport Village toward the Marriott Marquis and Marina. The beautiful hotel is shining like precious silver.
Late afternoon sunlight reflected off the two silvery sail-like towers of the Marriott Marquis on San Diego Bay.
Late afternoon sunlight reflected off the two silvery sail-like towers of the Marriott Marquis on San Diego Bay.
Blue sky, white and dark clouds, and fantastic patterns created by reflection off the beautiful glass building.
Blue sky, white and dark clouds, and fantastic patterns created by light reflected on the amazing glass building.
White superyachts docked behind the San Diego Convention Center are bathed in late afternoon light.
White superyachts docked behind the San Diego Convention Center are bathed in late afternoon light.
The masts of three large yachts in a row, like vertical beams of light.
The masts of three large yachts in a row, like vertical beams of light.
End of day approaches. The sun sets fire to a glass portion of the San Diego Convention Center.
End of day approaches. The sun sets fire to a glass portion of the San Diego Convention Center.
The sun is almost ready to set over San Diego Bay. Golden light now prevails.
The sun is almost ready to set over San Diego Bay. Golden light now prevails.
The parking structure of the Hilton San Diego Bayfront has turned gold.
The parking structure of the Hilton San Diego Bayfront has turned gold.
A golden pathway through the city. Amazing beauty seen during a late afternoon walk on the bridge over Harbor Drive.
A golden pathway through the city. Amazing beauty seen during a late afternoon walk on the pedestrian bridge over Harbor Drive.

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How to help keep the San Diego River healthy.

Bright yellow California sunflowers. San Diego has more botanical diversity than any other county in the continental United States.
Bright yellow California sunflowers. San Diego has more botanical diversity than any other county in the continental United States.

The San Diego River has always been a source of life. Ancient people flourished on its banks. It’s where European civilization began in California. That civilization today has grown to include freeways, shopping malls, industrial parks and immense residential complexes. Like a gleaming thread of silver, the river flows through it all, eternally, west to the Pacific Ocean.

The health of this once-pristine river, crowded in many areas by human development, is threatened in challenging ways. Pollutants found in storm runoff, windblown litter, piles of garbage and human waste from homeless encampments, encroachment by non-native vegetation… These problems and others require the thoughtful involvement of the local community. Volunteers monitor the river; some help to pick up trash or report graffiti. Active, concerned residents attend special meetings to discuss improvements or make critical decisions.

Would you like to become involved? Click here, or check out my two photos of posters that include contact information.

Our careful stewardship of the San Diego River will ensure the survival of an important riparian ecosystem, and will allow future generations to walk down trails of spirit-nourishing beauty.

Gazing west along the San Diego River from Qualcomm Way.
Gazing west along the San Diego River from Qualcomm Way.
Bicycle and pedestrian paths follow the San Diego River through Mission Valley.
Bicycle and pedestrian paths follow the San Diego River through Mission Valley.
Litter carelessly dropped by a mile marker for The San Diego River Trail. It was picked up.
Litter carelessly dropped near a mile marker for The San Diego River Trail. It was picked up.
The community is working to restore and enhance this area while making an inviting living science center in the heart of our urban riparian environment.
The community is working to restore and enhance this area while making an inviting living science center in the heart of our urban riparian environment.  (Click image to enlarge.)
Make a difference with a fun group of people. Join the River Assessment Team! Help support a clean river and get some exercise!
Make a difference with a fun group of people. Join the River Assessment Team! Help support a clean river and get some exercise! (Click image to enlarge.)
A red San Diego Trolley passes over the life-filled river as it approaches the Rio Vista station.
A red San Diego Trolley passes over the life-filled river as it approaches the Rio Vista station.
A gathering of American coots (or mud hens) where the San Diego River passes beneath Camino del Este.
A gathering of American coots (or mud hens) where the San Diego River passes beneath Camino del Este.
Dark clouds and barren Fremont Cottonwoods minutes before a winter storm brings brief torrential rain.
Dark clouds and barren Fremont Cottonwoods minutes before a winter storm brings brief torrential rain.
Beautiful flowers can be seen at almost any time of year during a nature walk along The San Diego River Trail.
Beautiful flowers can be seen at almost any time of year during a nature walk along The San Diego River Trail.
A couple of bees collect pollen in the morning.
A couple of busy bees collect pollen in the morning.

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Sunset paints the sky above Maritime Museum.

The catamaran Aolani sails behind the Maritime Museum of San Diego just before sunset.
The catamaran Aolani sails behind the Maritime Museum of San Diego just before sunset.

A few photos from my short walk after work. I strolled along the Embarcadero and visited the Maritime Museum of San Diego, one of my favorite places. The sun was setting…

Tourists walk among many historic boats and ships behind the USS Berkeley. The racing sloop Butcher Boy is over a hundred years old. It sailed rapidly out on the bay, always first to provide fresh provisions to visiting ships.
Tourists walk among many historic boats and ships behind the steam ferry Berkeley. The racing sloop Butcher Boy is over a hundred years old. It sailed rapidly out on the bay, always first to provide fresh provisions to visiting ships.
School students learn about how to handle an oar, before heading out on San Diego Bay in a museum longboat.
School students learn how to handle an oar, before heading out on San Diego Bay in a museum longboat.
Sun falls behind picturesque deck and rigging of HMS Surprise.
Sun gently falls behind the picturesque deck and rigging of HMS Surprise.
A winter sunset paints the sky behind the B-39 Soviet submarine and masts of historic tall ships including the Spanish galleon replica San Salvador.
A winter sunset paints the sky behind the B-39 Soviet submarine and the masts of several ships, including Californian, San Salvador and America.
HMS Surprise, steam ferry Berkeley, and a beautiful sky.
HMS Surprise, steam ferry Berkeley, and a beautiful sky.
A soft sunset and still water. Nightfall on San Diego Bay.
A soft sunset and still water. Nightfall on San Diego Bay.

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Kumeyaay and The Tracks We Leave Behind.

Native American Kumeyaay from the San Diego area work near the foot of an Ewaa, or dome shaped home made of sycamore and oak tree branches.
Native American Kumeyaay from the San Diego area work near the foot of an ewaa, a dome-shaped hut made of sycamore and oak tree branches.

Over two years ago, when Cool San Diego Sights was relatively new, I blogged about some amazing public art near the Santa Fe Depot in downtown San Diego. I provided just a brief glimpse, really.

The artwork, titled The Tracks We Leave Behind, created by Betsy K. Schulz in 2008, is so utterly fantastic, so absorbing, I’ve decided to blog about it once again. Whenever I walk past (which is often), I like to pause an extra few seconds beside my favorite column, which features gorgeous mosaics that depict wild nature and the Native American Kumeyaay people, who have lived around San Diego for about 12,000 years.

Living in this place we set fires to open the land and make the seeds grow. We fish all year, both near shore and deep. We walk to the canyons and the mountains--hunting, gathering food and trading . . .
Living in this place we set fires to open the land and make the seeds grow. We fish all year, both near shore and deep. We walk to the canyons and the mountains–hunting, gathering food and trading . . .
Public art titled The Tracks We Leave Behind, by Betsy K. Schulz, 2008, includes image of a Kumeyaay hattepaa (coyote) howling.
Public art titled The Tracks We Leave Behind, by Betsy K. Schulz, 2008, includes the image of a Kumeyaay hattepaa (coyote) howling.
Beautiful handmade mosaic tiles show a Kumeyaay ispa (eagle) in flight.
Beautiful handmade mosaic tiles form a Kumeyaay ispa (eagle) in flight.
The bald eagle has captured a Kumeyaay hiiwaa (fish).
The bald eagle has captured a Kumeyaay hiiwaa (fish).
Yellow Sycuan Suncups grace this gorgeous, detailed public artwork in downtown San Diego.
Yellow Sycuan Suncups grace this gorgeous, detailed public artwork in downtown San Diego.
The yellow bloom of a prickly pear. This sculpted tile mosaic is so phenomenal, you almost can't remove your eyes from it!
The yellow bloom of a prickly pear. This sculpted tile mosaic is so phenomenal, you almost can’t remove your eyes from it!
The native Kumeyaay people (also called Kumiai, Ipai-Iipay, Tipai-Tipay, Diegueño, Kamia) have lived in the San Diego region for around 12,000 years.
The native Kumeyaay people (also called Kumiai, Ipai-Iipay, Tipai-Tipay, Diegueño, Kamia) have lived in the San Diego region for around 12,000 years.
Public art in San Diego depicts Cinon Duro Mataweer, spiritual leader (kuseyaay or tribal shaman) of the Ipai (formerly northern Diegueño) Native American Indian tribe.
Public art in San Diego depicts Cinon Duro Mataweer, spiritual leader (kuseyaay or tribal shaman) of the Ipai (formerly northern Diegueño) Native American Indian tribe.

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It’s hard to believe, but this photo blog of San Diego now contains over 800 posts, and features a vast universe of wonderful art–not to mention other random cool stuff! Click some links that look interesting if you’d like to explore!  Have fun!

A beautiful garden and a brand new blog!

I’ve started a new photo blog! It’s called Beautiful Balboa Park! My first post concerns a beautiful but scraggly cactus garden that very few visitors see.

As you might know, I live in downtown San Diego very close to Balboa Park, so this new blog should be fairly active. I hope you enjoy it!

Here are a few of the photos:

Please follow my new blog by clicking the link below to see much, much more!

Source: A beautiful garden few visitors see in Balboa Park.

A short, beautiful twilight walk down Broadway.

Walking east on Broadway from the Embarcadero just moments after sunset.
Walking from the Embarcadero east down Broadway just moments after sunset.

I got off work early today.  So I enjoyed some magical time on the Embarcadero.

Moments after the sun set, thinking of home, I walked from the Broadway Pier east a short distance into the heart of downtown. My lifted eyes were fascinated by the changing light.

High buildings in downtown San Diego change color with every passing minute as my feet and twilight steadily progress.
High buildings in downtown San Diego change color with every passing minute as my feet and twilight steadily progress.
People walking a couple blocks east of the Broadway Pier cross railroad tracks in softening light.
People walking a couple blocks east of the Broadway Pier cross railroad tracks in softening light.
The lights inside two tall office buildings in downtown San Diego begin to make interesting patterns.
The lights inside two tall office buildings in downtown San Diego begin to make interesting patterns.
Looking upward across Broadway as I near the America Plaza trolley station, where I'll catch a short ride toward home. It soon will be night.
Looking upward across Broadway as I near the America Plaza trolley station, where I’ll catch a short ride toward home. It soon will be night.

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Photos of sculpture: Experiments in distance, angle.

Altered photograph of a Henry Moore sculpture, located in San Diego Museum of Art’s popular sculpture garden.
Altered photograph of a Henry Moore sculpture, located in San Diego Museum of Art’s popular sculpture garden.

Oh, no! Here come some “artsy” photos!

Today I walked through Balboa Park’s beautiful May S. Marcy Sculpture Garden. The grassy space, which is free to the public, contains several pieces of artwork belonging to the San Diego Museum of Art’s collection.

The garden’s most recognized sculpture is probably Reclining Figure: Arch Leg, which was created in 1969 by renowned British Modernist artist Henry Moore.

As I walked around the curvaceous sculpture, it occurred to me that different interesting photos could be taken depending on the angle and perceived distance. So I engaged in a bit of experimentation!

(Fear not! I didn’t touch the sculpture or step on the flowers! But I did lean over like crazy–and minutely cropped some images– to get the “close-up” images.)

Henry Moore's 1969 bronze sculpture Reclining Figure: Arch Leg, on the grass in the San Diego Museum of Art's May S. Marcy Sculpture Garden.
Henry Moore’s 1969 bronze sculpture Reclining Figure: Arch Leg, on the grass in the San Diego Museum of Art’s May S. Marcy Sculpture Garden.
Sunlit bronze sculpture photographed from a different angle. I adjusted contrast, brightness and sharpness, and cropped according to my eye.
Sunlit bronze sculpture photographed from a different angle. I adjusted contrast, brightness and sharpness, and cropped according to my eye.
Same sculpture, different frame, different paths of reflected light. The physical object is itself unchanged, but has become something new in the mind of the viewer.
Same sculpture, different frame, different paths of reflected light. The physical object is itself unchanged, but has become something new in the mind of the viewer.
The Modernist sculpture’s fluid curves and organic quality is suggestive of human form.
The Modernist sculpture’s fluid curves and organic quality is suggestive of human form.
Raw nature interacts with human art. A camera focuses on nearby details the casual eye might miss.
Raw nature interacts with human art. A camera focuses on nearby details the casual eye might miss.
The form of an abstract sculpture becomes more mysterious when the defining outer edges are eliminated with photo editing.
The form of an abstract sculpture becomes more mysterious when the defining outer edges are eliminated with photo editing.
A warmly glowing bronze surface, and a pair of eyes.
A warmly glowing bronze surface, and a pair of eyes.
The sculpture's red-tinged bronze skin reflects Southern California sunlight.
The sculpture’s red-tinged bronze skin reflects Southern California sunlight.
A closer view reveals craters and furrows. Small glimpses of beauty within a larger whole.
A closer view reveals craters and furrows. Small glimpses of beauty within a larger whole.
A strangely perfect, silvery surface.
A strangely perfect, silvery surface.
Looking up into the light. Both self-contained art and the outer world are composed of the same elements, and can evoke identical wonder.
Looking up into the light. Both self-contained art and the outer world are composed of the same elements, and can evoke identical wonder.

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A beautiful hour at the San Diego Symphony!

This friendly music instructor would teach lots of kids how to play the piano at Hands On Community Day at the San Diego Symphony!
This friendly music instructor would teach lots of kids how to play the piano at Hands On Community Day at the San Diego Symphony!

Today I enjoyed a beautiful hour at the San Diego Symphony. I arrived at noon to listen to a free public concert, which was just the first part of the five hour Hands On Community Day event. Later on, after I left for my walk, there were additional performances, and kids were taught how to play the piano by world-class musicians!

The San Diego Symphony is celebrating the piano during an ongoing Upright and Grand festival, which continues through February 8. If you haven’t been to a concert at Copley Symphony Hall, I assure you it’s a magical, wonderful experience!

Please enjoy a few photos and read the captions for explanations…

The San Diego Symphony's Upright and Grand festival is a month-long event that celebrates the piano.
The San Diego Symphony’s Upright and Grand festival is a month-long event that celebrates the piano.
Fantastic mural in lobby of Symphony Towers depicts an orchestra, including a pianist.
Fantastic mural in lobby of Symphony Towers depicts an orchestra, including a pianist.
Some bicyclists stopped by to play the public upright piano in the lobby of Symphony Towers near the box office.
Some bicyclists stopped by to play the public upright piano in the lobby of Symphony Towers near the box office.
A vintage photo in the lobby shows the Fox Theatre, built in 1929, now Copley Symphony Hall. A modern skyscraper called Symphony Towers was built over and around the old theatre in 1989.
A vintage photo in the lobby shows the Fox Theatre, built in 1929, now Copley Symphony Hall. A modern skyscraper called Symphony Towers was built over and around the old theatre in 1989.
Inside the elegant, historic Copley Symphony Hall. I arrived early to the Hands On Community Day, so there are few people in this photo.
Inside the elegant, historic Copley Symphony Hall. I arrived early to the Hands On Community Day, so there are few people in this photo.
One table had samples of a piano key's inner workings. Later on I saw lots of families and kids examining these with interest.
One table had samples of a piano key’s inner workings. Later on I saw lots of families and kids examining these with interest.
A representative for the San Diego International Piano Competition for Outstanding Amateurs had a table outside the concert hall.
A representative for the San Diego International Piano Competition for Outstanding Amateurs had a table outside the concert hall.
Six grand pianos were set up on the stage. I enjoyed the first hour of the event, which featured The Carnival of the Animals by composer Camille Saint-Saens, with poems by Ogen Nash.
Six grand pianos were set up on the stage. I enjoyed the first hour of the event, which featured The Carnival of the Animals by composer Camille Saint-Saens, with poems by Ogden Nash.
Looking up inside the concert hall. A friendly usher told me there's a winding staircase in the huge chandelier! Girls used to toss rose petals onto the audience, once upon a time long ago.
Looking up inside the concert hall. A friendly usher told me there’s a winding staircase in the huge chandelier! Girls used to toss rose petals onto the audience, once upon a time long ago.
People are arriving for the big San Diego Symphony free event, part of their Upright and Grand festival!
People are arriving for the big San Diego Symphony free event, part of their Upright and Grand festival!
After the first hour's concert is over, the audience applauds narrator Dave Scott and amazing pianists Jessie Chang and Bryan Verhoye!
After the first hour’s concert is over, the audience applauds narrator Dave Scott and amazing pianists Jessie Chang and Bryan Verhoye!

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Love, upset flowers, and a strange mystery.

LOVE carved into the beam of a wooden shelter on Presidio Hill.
LOVE carved into the beam of a wooden shelter on Presidio Hill.

My walk today took me along a lonely dirt trail on Presidio Hill.

The trail, among quiet trees, climbs above the location of the old Spanish presidio, the nearly 250 year old birthplace of European civilization in California. After a short distance, the trail descends toward a primitive wooden shelter overlooking a canyon.

The shelter was empty. A wreath of beautiful fresh flowers lay upset on the ground. A small floral display of some kind was broken in a corner. Torn flowers lay scattered about.

It’s a very strange mystery. But so is love.

Walking along a lonely trail covered with pine needles. Few people visit this part of Presidio Hill.
Walking along a lonely trail covered with pine needles. Few people visit this part of Presidio Hill.
A simple wooden structure among the trees comes into view. It is empty.
A simple wooden structure among the trees comes into view. It is empty.
Flowers are scattered on the ground.
Flowers are scattered on the ground.
An upset wreath of fresh flowers. A broken altar, left behind. Why?
An upset wreath of fresh flowers. A broken display, left behind. Why?
A beautiful mystery. Perhaps it contains sorrow.
A beautiful mystery. Perhaps it contains sorrow.

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A San Diego gift that will last forever.

Kids play by fountain in San Diego's crown jewel, Balboa Park, one of the world's great cultural treasures.
Kids play by fountain in San Diego’s crown jewel, Balboa Park, one of the world’s great cultural treasures.

Forgive me for posting once again about Balboa Park. It’s one of the world’s great cultural treasures, and I live just steps away!

Are you looking to give a meaningful gift this holiday season? I’ve got an idea that you might consider!

I just received the latest newsletter from the Friends of Balboa Park. They’re the folks who preserve Balboa Park’s legacy for future generations. You can learn about them here.

In the newsletter, they are calling for donations to the Friends of Balboa Park Endowment Fund. One generous donor has offered to match gifts made to the endowment during 2015, up to $500,000. That means every dollar you give before the end of this year will likely be doubled.

If you’ve ever been to Balboa Park, you know how special it is. Please consider giving a donation. To do so, click here.

Over the past hundred years, countless millions of people from around the world have enjoyed visiting the park. They have experienced so much joy. Let’s make sure the next hundred years are just as wonderful.

Plaque at east end of Cabrillo Bridge. To commemorate the foresight and civic wisdom of the founders of Balboa Park this tablet is erected by the people of San Diego.
Plaque at east end of Cabrillo Bridge. To commemorate the foresight and civic wisdom of the founders of Balboa Park this tablet is erected by the people of San Diego.
View of the Natural History Museum from a point near the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center.
View of the Natural History Museum from a point near the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center.
History comes alive in one part of the Casa del Prado's fantastic facade.
History comes alive in one small section of the Casa del Prado’s fantastic facade.
People enjoy the grass near the Botanical Building.
People enjoy the grass near the Botanical Building.
Exploring life and beauty in Balboa Park's reflecting pool.
Exploring life and beauty in Balboa Park’s reflecting pool.
More natural beauty along Sixth Avenue, the west edge of immense Balboa Park.
More natural beauty along Sixth Avenue, the west edge of immense Balboa Park.
A view of the Alcazar Garden from above.
A view of the Alcazar Garden from above.
An artistic face in a fountain by the Old Globe Theatre.
An artistic face in a fountain by the Old Globe Theatre.
The House of Charm and California Tower in silhouette as day ends.
The House of Charm and California Tower in silhouette as day ends.
It's the holiday season. Make a gift to the Friends of Balboa Park, and it will be an enduring gift to the entire world.
It’s the holiday season. Make a donation to the Friends of Balboa Park, and it will be an enduring gift to the entire world.

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