People take a walk through Balboa Park’s amazing Desert Garden.
My walk through Balboa Park last weekend ended at the Desert Garden, located east of the Natural History Museum just across Park Boulevard. I was able to get some cool cacti pics before my camera’s batteries finally fizzled.
Here are some photos that I modified using good old GIMP. It’s fun to goof around randomly and produce different effects!
While I recognized many different types of cactus, I sadly don’t know many names. Sorry about that.
Fuzzy cactus with red thingamajigs attached.I played with the brightness and contrast.Slightly altered pic of cool jagged cactus in Balboa Park.I fiddled with contrast, darkness and color saturation.Sunlight amplified on a green cactus in Balboa Park’s Desert Garden.Barrel cactus photo with super high contrast applied.
Here are even more modified cacti photos from late 2014!
Contrast increased on photo of a spiky cactus.Some fat barrel cacti in a large desert-like garden in Balboa Park.A cool image I created by goofing around with various settings.This huge tangled cactus visible from Park Boulevard is the craziest thing I ever saw!Now I’m radically altering some pics.Cool silhouette in a popular Balboa Park cactus garden.I completely changed these colors just for fun!
Dogs and humans head toward the 2014 Bark in Balboa Park.
The Eighth Annual Bark in Balboa Park was a triumphant success this afternoon. Hundreds of furry, tail-wagging best friends got to join in the festivities, and nearly all become instantly famous. How does an ordinary, easy-going, everyday dog get 15 seconds of fame? You’re about to find out!
A few early arrivals at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion.Friendly pooch near Spreckels Organ Society donation box.Some furry attendees await the free dog-themed organ concert.San Diego Humane Society has volunteers at the event.Lovable dogs await adoption at Bark in the Park.Great Dane takes a nap while a huge crowd gathers.People and pooches enjoy the organ concert from the colonnade.A baby stroller makes a prime seat for the big event.Activity is non-stop even during the fun concert.The unconditional love that dogs give.Spreckels Organ Society photographer hard at work.The eighth annual parade of dogs in front of the organ begins!Dr. Carol Williams plays a rousing Sousa march as pooches pass by.This funny beagle was a real crowd pleaser.A dainty dog in pink enjoys momentary fame on the big stage.
Several colorful Victorian houses were relocated to Heritage Park.
Lovers of architecture, Victorian houses and San Diego history should swing by Heritage Park, a small county park located next to Old Town.
Several historic homes representing Italianate, Stick-Eastlake, Queen Anne and Classic Revival styles were relocated to this eight acre park by the Save Our Heritage Organisation. Only the exteriors of the structures have been restored, with the exception of the Burton House and Senlis Cottage, which are open to the public.
Group of ladies walking past the Sherman-Gilbert House.
John Sherman, cousin of General William Tecumseh Sherman, built the Stick-Eastlake style Sherman-Gilbert House in 1887. Over the years, many world-famous entertainers appeared at receptions in this house, including ballet dancer Anna Pavlova and pianist Artur Rubinstein. This was the first structure moved to Heritage Park, in 1971.
Bushyhead House was an Italianate residence built in 1887.
Edward Wilkerson Bushyhead, a Cherokee Indian with a Scottish ancestor, was an important historical figure in San Diego. He served as Chief of Police years after being publisher of the San Diego Union newspaper. He built the Bushyhead House as a rental in 1887.
Christian House, built in 1889, seen beyond large tree.
The Christian House is a colorful Queen Anne style house built in 1889.
Girl on porch of the Classic Revival Burton House.Side view of the 1893 Burton House in San Diego’s Heritage Park.McConaughy House, a Stick-Eastlake built in 1887.People emerge from San Diego’s first synagogue, Temple Beth Israel.
This 1889 Classic Revival building constructed by the Congregation Beth Israel was also used by several religious sects before it was finally relocated to Heritage Park.
Heritage Park is located adjacent to historic Old Town San Diego.
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Today with modern medicine there’s a pretty good chance of beating cancer.
Cancer Survivors Park is located at Spanish Landing, across Harbor Drive from San Diego International Airport. It’s an inspiring place of hope, beauty and healing.
At the center of the park is an arrangement of bronze sculptures by renowned artist Victor Salmones, representing people from all walks of life dealing with cancer. The journey can be complicated and difficult. A walkway that meanders through the park features plaques containing useful, positive messages.
If you also feel inspired, please feel free to share.
Some people have been cured from every type of cancer.People from all walks of life can get cancer.Cancer is the most curable of all chronic diseases.Bronze forms represent people beginning to undergo medical treatment.Realize that cancer is a life threatening disease but some beat it. Make up your mind you will be one of those who do.People like you and I start the difficult journey to have their cancer eliminated.Make a commitment to do everything in your power to help yourself fight the disease.Beginning cancer treatment can be a bit scary and confusing.Find a qualified doctor in whom you have confidence who believes he can successfully treat you.Young lady begins cancer treatment, feeling uncertain.Treat your cancer promptly, properly and thoroughly and have a positive mental attitude.Happy family emerges from cancer treatment with a brand new life.Get state of the art treatment. Know all your options. Knowledge heals.Bicyclist rides through San Diego’s Cancer Survivors Park.Cancer Survivors Park is located at Spanish Landing, near Lindbergh Field.
These pics were all taken at Embarcadero Marina Park North.
People fascinated by beautiful San Diego Bay.Just relaxing on the grass enjoying a nice day.Couple paddling along on boards in Marriott Marina.Children explore the blue water from rocks.A stroll through Embarcadero Marina Park North.Walking along the water past a picnic bench.
A carefree day near the center of San Diego’s Old Town!
Just some random pics taken around the central plaza of Old Town San Diego State Historic Park…
Shoppers emerge from pottery shop in Old Town central plaza.Silver jewelry, beef jerky and root beer!The Robinson-Rose house is the park Visitor Center.Tall flagpole at the center of historic Old Town.The Cosmopolitan Hotel and Restaurant.The Rust General Store with patriotic red, white and blue.Folks walk past historical buildings in Old Town’s plaza.Tourists pose for a picture in an old covered wagon in Old Town.
Here are even more pics from Barrio Logan! These photos were taken on the north side of Chicano Park, from the basketball court to Cesar Chavez Boulevard, including a stretch under the I-5 overpass.
As I mentioned before, some of these images might be considered controversial. To see previous photos, click the Chicano Park tag at the bottom of this post and scroll down. I have one more batch of photos coming up. Please feel free to share anything on this blog!
Raza mural decries Operation Gatekeeper.Cesar Chavez Blvd mural under busy freeway.Arriba Mexico on I-5 underpass mural.A painted Cesar Chavez and two youth greet traffic in Barrio Logan.Aztlan mural on Cesar Chavez Boulevard.Pedestrians near Chicano Park walk past public art.Mural at edge of Chicano Park opposes retrofitting.Painted images on Interstate 5 north of Chicano Park.Utility box painted with El Corazon, the heart.Mural supports Race, opposes the Border Patrol.Elaborate mural containing ancient symbolism on a handball court in Chicano Park.Painted jaguar crouches near basketball court.A very detailed and colorful mural in Chicano Park.Aztec mural painted near chain link fence.Utility box with colorful figures, including a mariachi.Classic cars depicted on a concrete pillar.San Diego Lowrider Council mural in Chicano Park.
Bust of World War II hero John Basilone in Little Italy.
This handsome bust is the central feature of Piazza Basilone, a small urban space with tables, umbrellas and a fountain at the corner of India and Fir Street in Little Italy.
A plaque beneath the bust begins with the following words:
GUNNERY SERGEANT JOHN BASILONE
NOVEMBER 4, 1916 – FEBRUARY 19, 1945
SERGEANT JOHN BASILONE WAS ONE OF THE FIRST ENLISTED MARINES TO BE AWARDED THE CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR OF WORLD WAR II. HE WAS ALSO POSTHUMOUSLY AWARDED THE NATIONAL CROSS.
HE WAS BORN TO ITALIAN IMMIGRANTS, SALVATORE AND DORA BASILONE, IN BUFFALO, NEW YORK. HE AND HIS TEN BROTHERS AND SISTERS GREW UP IN RARITAN, NEW JERSEY. RESTLESS AND ADVENTUROUS BY NATURE, JOHN ENLISTED IN THE ARMY AT THE AGE EIGHTEEN AND WAS ASSIGNED TO GARRISON SERVICE IN THE PHILIPPINES.
AFTER HIS HONORABLE DISCHARGE FROM THE ARMY, BASILONE RETURNED TO RARITAN. AS THE STORM CLOUDS OF WAR GATHERED, JOHN BELIEVED HIS PLACE WAS WITH THE FIGHTING FORCES. IN JULY 1940 HE ENLISTED IN THE MARINE CORPS.
IT WAS ON GUADACANAL THAT SERGEANT BASILONE ACHIEVED HIS PLACE IN MARINE CORPS HISTORY, BECOMING ONE OF THE FIRST ENLISTED MARINES TO BE AWARDED THE MEDAL OF HONOR OF WORLD WAR II; THE NATION’S HIGHEST AWARD FOR EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM AND CONSPICUOUS GALLANTRY IN ACTION.
During the Battle of Guadalcanal, Basilone held off 3,000 Japanese troops after his unit was almost entirely destroyed. He was later killed in action on the first day of the Battle of Iwo Jima.
Planet Earth globe fountain in Little Italy’s Piazza Basilone.
We’re back in Barrio Logan’s famous Chicano Park with more pics!
The mural featured here is a very long one. It’s painted behind the park’s fenced basketball court, on a low wall that borders Interstate 5. Like the other public murals in Chicano Park, it’s a colorful hodgepodge of figures and symbols that seem to share one general theme: Mexican American pride and empowerment.
The photos move along the mural from right to left.
02 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.03 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.04 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.05 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.06 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.07 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.08 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.09 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.10 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.11 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.12 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.13 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.14 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.15 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.16 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.
A tourist rental quadcycle heads past boats in the Marriott Marina.
A sunny Saturday afternoon in San Diego. A perfect time to enjoy life!
Lots of people were out at Embarcadero Marina Park South making the most of the holiday weekend. During my walk I noticed a number of Zonies (visitors from Arizona) wearing ASU gear–their team will play in the Holiday Bowl on Monday.
Here are a few more miscellaneous photos:
Basketball game at Embarcadero Marina Park South.Boy fishes with dad on Embarcadero Marina Park South pier.Heading to the pier with a bunch of fishing rods.
Cool San Diego Sights! 