A few photos of natural beauty around San Diego.

Glorious sun and clouds high above Mission Valley.
Glorious sun and clouds through trees high above Mission Valley.

I’m going through thousands of photographs stored in my computer this morning. I’ve found a number of beautiful nature shots taken over the past year or so.

Sometimes I can be in a hurry (or feeling a bit lazy) and I don’t properly label or categorize my images. I’m not sure exactly where I captured a couple of these. Somewhere around San Diego . . .

I’d like to thank those of you who follow this blog. I know there’s loads of stuff on the internet, and a whole lot of San Diego websites that are slicker and more professional. I’m just a regular guy and my amateur photo blog is nothing more than a work of joy. And a way for me to see this complex world more closely as I walk around the city. I hope that together, in the weeks and months ahead, we experience even more beauty and many more Cool San Diego Sights!

Now I’m off on a leisurely Sunday walk. Where will I go? I haven’t decided yet! I guess I’ll begin by stepping out the door . . .

One tiny part of a vast, intricate, simply wonderful world.
One tiny part of a vast, intricate, simply wonderful world.
Dazzling bits of stone and broken glass in the water of Mission Bay.
Dazzling bits of stone (and a couple pieces of broken glass) in the water of Mission Bay.
Colorful leaves inside Balboa Park's Botanical Building.
Colorful leaves inside Balboa Park’s Botanical Building.
Complex, dramatic clouds above our fair city.
Complex, dramatic clouds above our fair city.
Delicate natural beauty seen during a hike in Mission Trails Regional Park.
Delicate natural beauty seen during a hike in Mission Trails Regional Park.
A pure white egret on a branch by the shining San Diego River.
A pure white egret on a branch by the shining San Diego River.
Crashing water meets smooth stones on the ocean shore in La Jolla.
Crashing water meets wet, smooth stones on the ocean shore in La Jolla.
A shapely succulent in Balboa Park. Nature produces another marvel.
A shapely succulent in Balboa Park. Nature produces another marvel.
Beautiful clouds and blue sky above San Diego Bay.
Beautiful clouds and blue sky above San Diego Bay.
I took this photo yesterday walking along Friars Road as I approached the San Diego River estuary.
I took this photo yesterday walking along Friars Road as I approached the San Diego River estuary. A few droplets cling to green leaves.
Photo of a beautiful pink rose taken during a walk somewhere in San Diego.
Photo of a beautiful pink rose taken during a walk somewhere in San Diego.

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!

Do you enjoy beautiful things? Please visit my other fun photography blog which I call A Small World Full of Beauty.

Beautiful morning photos at Broadway Pier.

Someone gazes from the Broadway Pier across the water toward Coast Guard Air Station San Diego, whose buildings shine, reflecting the early morning sun.
Someone gazes from the Broadway Pier across the water toward Coast Guard Air Station San Diego, whose buildings shine, reflecting early morning sunlight.

I was surprised at the number of beautiful photos I was able to capture this morning during my leisurely walk out on the Broadway Pier. All was quiet. The sun was rising…

The sun is about to rise above a part of the San Diego skyline.
The sun is about to rise above a part of the San Diego skyline.
A gull glides over still water.
A gull glides over still water.
Early morning light turns aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) golden. It is docked at Naval Air Station North Island.
Early morning light turns active aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) golden. It is docked at Naval Air Station North Island.
Colorful reflection on San Diego Bay of the USS Midway Museum, seen from the Broadway Pier.
Colorful reflection on San Diego Bay of the USS Midway Museum, seen from the Broadway Pier.
Bronze plaques create an historical timeline as one walks toward the pier's end. The construction of the Broadway Pier took place in 1913.
Bronze plaques create an historical timeline as one walks toward the pier’s end. The construction of the Broadway Pier took place in 1913.
An exquisitely beautiful seagull feather on the wet concrete at my feet.
An exquisitely beautiful seagull feather on the wet concrete at my feet.
Someone rides out to the end of the Broadway Pier early one Friday morning. Few people are about.
Someone rides out to the end of the Broadway Pier early one Friday morning. Few people are about.
Water droplets cling to the metal seats and tables at the end of the Broadway Pier.
Water droplets cling to the metal seats and tables at the end of the Broadway Pier.
Three large maps on the Broadway Pier show the shape of San Diego Bay in different eras. This outline of the modern bay shows where I now stand on the Embarcadero!
Three large maps on the Broadway Pier show the shape of San Diego Bay in different eras. This outline of the modern bay shows where I now stand on the Embarcadero!
Beautiful clouds and morning light frame a United States Coast Guard Cutter in the middle of San Diego Bay.
Beautiful clouds and morning light on blue water frame a United States Coast Guard Cutter in the middle of San Diego Bay.
A dreamlike vision one morning at San Diego's magical Broadway Pier.
A dreamlike vision one morning at San Diego’s magical Broadway Pier.

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!

Sky and water. Morning light, life, reflection.

The light of sunrise touches clouds behind upper structures of commercial fishing boats.
Sunrise touches clouds behind fishing boats.

New light. Eyes reopen. The sky regains depth. Wings stretch.

In downtown San Diego, along the Embarcadero, morning light reflects from both clouds and water.

The first smile of the day.

Life is wonderful, and good.

A beautiful sky one October morning above Tuna Harbor in San Diego Bay.
A beautiful sky one October morning above Tuna Harbor in San Diego.
Seagulls perched on a boat await the morning activity of fishermen.
Seagulls perched on a boat await the morning activity of fishermen.
A seagull circles far away like a dream.
A seagull circles far away like a dream.
Fishing boats and tinted clouds, reflected in the gentle water of Tuna Harbor.
Fishing boats and tinted clouds, reflected in the gentle water.
A mysterious reflection in the rippled water.
A boat’s mysterious reflection in the rippled water.
A sky full of fantastic clouds. Early morning above the Embarcadero near Ruocco Park.
A sky full of fantastic clouds. Early morning above the Embarcadero near Ruocco Park.
Light infiltrates complex clouds above San Diego.
Magical light infiltrates clouds above San Diego.
White clouds that seem like cotton in the blue sky.
Clouds that seem like cotton in the blue sky.
Morning birds take flight high in the air.
Morning birds take flight like windblown seeds in the air.
Photo aiming upward at clouds through The Riparium, public art created in 2012 by Roman de Salvo. Eucalyptus, steel and masonry forms rise in a corner of San Diego's Ruocco Park.
Clouds are framed by The Riparium, public art created in 2012 by Roman de Salvo. The sinuous structure rises in one corner of San Diego’s Ruocco Park.
Gazing skyward through The Riparium. Another magical day has dawned in downtown San Diego.
Gazing skyward through The Riparium. A fine day has dawned in downtown San Diego.

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

To read a few stories I’ve written, click Short Stories by Richard.

Do you enjoy beautiful things? Visit my photography blog which I call A Small World Full of Beauty.

Even the gray clouds above are beautiful.

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I was going to post these beautiful photographs on one of my other blogs, A Small World Full of Beauty, but decided to feature them here! As I walked to the trolley station after work, the ominous, complex, wind-sculpted gray clouds above Mission Valley were so unusual and eye-catching that I had to pull out my camera. A few drops of sporadic rain couldn’t bow my head. There was so much beauty above in every direction!

Here are some photos.

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

Do you enjoy beautiful things? Visit my photography blog which I call A Small World Full of Beauty.

Bright, magical clouds crown San Diego Bay.

A seagull flies above San Diego Bay as the sun illuminates fantastic, stormy clouds.
A seagull flies above San Diego Bay as the sun illuminates fantastic, stormy clouds.

San Diego’s weather today was stormy.  So the clouds were more amazing than usual. Late this afternoon, they were simply magical.

As I walked along the Embarcadero, gazing out across San Diego Bay, my small camera filled up with images. Here are my best shots!

Amazing clouds above tall ships on the water. The weather has been unsettled lately, creating rare opportunities for the camera.
Amazing clouds above tall ships on the water. The weather has been unsettled lately, creating rare opportunities for the camera.
A cruise ship docked next to downtown San Diego seems small and rather bland compared to the sunlit clouds mounting high above it.
A cruise ship docked next to downtown San Diego seems small and rather bland compared to the sunlit clouds mounting high above it.
Magic seems to crown San Diego's Broadway Pier. The sun is falling as day comes to a close. Light shines through clouds gloriously.
Magic seems to crown San Diego’s Broadway Pier. The sun is falling as day comes to a close. Light shines through clouds gloriously.
A simple photograph taken one spring day in wonderful San Diego.
A simple photograph taken one spring day in wonderful San Diego.

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

Do you like to read short pieces of thought-provoking fiction? You might enjoy checking out Short Stories by Richard.

Swirly, curly, windswept clouds above San Diego!

The sun rises behind trees on Cortez Hill, in downtown San Diego.
The sun rises behind trees atop Cortez Hill, the neighborhood where I live in downtown San Diego.

Yesterday morning, just after sunrise, the clouds high above San Diego were absolutely amazing. They were delicate and windswept, like angels’ wings and painted dreams. The clouds were so swirly and curly, it seemed the wind knew not which way to go.

I took these photos during a short walk from Cortez Hill to Bankers Hill.

Eucalyptus trees at southwest corner of Balboa Park, beneath glowing, fantastic morning clouds.
Eucalyptus trees at the southwest corner of Balboa Park, beneath glowing, fantastic morning clouds.
Mother Nature put on quite a sky show for those who thought to look upward!
Mother Nature put on quite a sky show for those who thought to look upward!
Swirly, curly, windswept clouds high in the blue San Diego sky, like a delicate dream.
Swirly, curly, windswept clouds high in the blue San Diego sky, like a delicate dream.
Morning clouds above Bankers Hill make for a truly cool sight in San Diego, the beautiful place I call home!
Morning clouds above Bankers Hill make for a truly cool sight in San Diego, the beautiful city I call home!

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

Do you like these photos? I recently wrote an unusual, inspiring story that might touch you called One Strange, Shimmering Dream.  Click to read it!

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.

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

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Clouds like a dream, above tall ships and palm trees.

Tall ships under beautifully streaked clouds on a late December day in San Diego.
Like delicate magic . . . beautifully streaked clouds on a late December day.

Did you see the fantastic clouds above San Diego’s Embarcadero today? They seemed to be made out of fragile, swirling dreams. They magically appeared in our blue sky, painted above tall ships and palm trees.

Just in case you didn’t see, here are two cool pics!

Amazing clouds above San Diego's Embarcadero.
Fantastic clouds above tall ships and palm trees on San Diego’s Embarcadero.

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Do you like to read inspirational, thought-provoking fiction? Visit my Short Stories by Richard writing blog!

Another day to be thankful in San Diego.

Two gulls take a nap in the San Diego sunshine the day after Thanksgiving. Many people were taking a pleasant, easy walk along the waterfront.
Two gulls take a nap in the San Diego sunshine the day after Thanksgiving. Many people were enjoying a pleasant, easy stroll along the waterfront.

It’s the day after Thanksgiving. I just took a walk along San Diego’s Embarcadero. If a picture is worth a thousand words, here are 12,000 words that hint at why I’m thankful every day to live in this beautiful city. I could write volumes and volumes.

A sleepy sea lion doesn't care what sort of crazy, wild-eyed antics his buddy is engaged in.
A sleepy sea lion doesn’t care what sort of crazy, wild-eyed antics his buddy is engaged in.
The Maritime Museum of San Diego's historic ship Pilot crosses the bay as white clouds glow gloriously in a blue sky.
The Maritime Museum of San Diego’s historic Pilot boat crosses the bay as white clouds glow gloriously in a blue sky.
This seagull was watching me taking a walk around Tuna Harbor. I wonder what she thought I was up to.
This seagull was watching me taking a walk around Tuna Harbor. I wonder what she thought I was up to?
A couple snuggled on the rocks by Seaport Village watch a gull take flight from the nearby wall.
A couple snuggled on the rocks by Seaport Village watch a gull take flight from the nearby wall.
A busker magician comedian mime guy gets tied up in inescapable rope during his funny routine at Seaport Village.
A busker magician comedian mime guy gets tied up in inescapable rope during his funny routine at Seaport Village.
Mrs. Claus greets a child and mother at the Seaport Village's East Plaza Gazebo.
Mrs. Claus greets a child and mother at the Seaport Village’s East Plaza Gazebo.
A guy carrying a skateboard ambles past outdoor diners at Sally's Seafood on the Water.
A guy carrying a skateboard ambles past outdoor diners at Sally’s Seafood on the Water.
A helpful tot picks up a photographer's tripod after a photo shoot at Embarcadero Marina Park North.
A helpful tot picks up a photographer’s tripod after a photo shoot at Embarcadero Marina Park North.
A snowy egret checks out a small stone in the Marriott Marina on San Diego's waterfront.
A snowy egret checks out a small stone in the Marriott Marina on San Diego’s waterfront.
Magnificent clouds the day after Thanksgiving on San Diego's Embarcadero. Visible is a Dole cargo ship at the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal.
Magnificent clouds the day after Thanksgiving on San Diego’s Embarcadero. Visible is a Dole cargo ship at the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal.
Taking flight in the sunshine.
Taking flight in the sunshine.

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Do you like to read inspirational, thought-provoking fiction? Visit my Short Stories by Richard writing blog!

Glowing clouds at day’s end in Balboa Park.

Glowing orange clouds at day's end, and the California Tower in silhouette. Photo taken from Plaza de Panama in San Diego's Balboa Park.
Glowing orange clouds at day’s end, and the California Tower in silhouette. Photo taken from Plaza de Panama in San Diego’s Balboa Park.

Days are rapidly becoming shorter. My evening walks after work have magically changed. Bright sunshine has become twilight. Clouds glow like embers as darkness descends.

Here are two photographs I took this evening during a short stroll through the heart of Balboa Park.

A dramatic end to an October day. Photo of iconic California Tower in San Diego's Balboa Park as night falls.
A dramatic end to an October day. Photo of iconic California Tower in San Diego’s Balboa Park as night falls.

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