This morning I took a short hike through the west part of Peñasquitos Canyon. I started at the developed trailhead on Sorrento Valley Boulevard, and walked down the dirt trail to the historic El Cuervo adobe ruin, which I will blog about shortly.
It’s springtime, the air is warming, and the hills all about San Diego are bright yellow with blooming mustard. Many beautiful parts of Peñasquitos Canyon seem to have painted with an artist’s brush.
Even though most of the mustard one sees in San Diego isn’t native, the cheerful appearance of yellow hillsides reminds those who live in our city that summer is just around the bend.
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A few people walk down a dirt path next to SeaWorld. Coastal plants provide habitat for birds and wildlife.
There’s a quiet, seldom visited area adjacent to SeaWorld that provides valuable habitat for both local and migratory birds. You can find this narrow strip of land directly northeast of SeaWorld, on the edge of Mission Bay, just west of South Shores Park.
Walk down the dirt path by the water and you’ll discover native plants, beautiful views, a few park benches, and a sense of wonder. This bit of land was set aside as natural coastal habitat with the help of the Audubon Society, SeaWorld San Diego, and a several other organizations who care about protecting the environment.
I walked down the path during the weekend and read a number of interesting signs. Few other people were around. I shared the warm sunshine with birds that took flight over land and water.
Click the photos of signs if you’d like to read them.
One sign displays plants that provide food and shelter for the birds and insects of Mission Bay.Heading west down the rough path, along the south shore of Mission Bay.Looking north across the water at boats, kayaks and Fiesta Island.Audubon’s Important Bird Areas (IBA) Program identifies and conserves a network of sites essential for wild bird populations. Mission Bay is one of seven IBAs in San Diego County.A patch of what I believe is Ceanothus, or California Lilac. A bird perched on some dry yellow flowers is a blur in this photograph.Mission Bay sustains thousands of birds, as many species stop over in San Diego during their migration along the Pacific flyway.Looks like a heron flying overhead, scanning the water.Sign identifies birds that might be seen here. San Diego is home to nearly 500 bird species.Some shelter by the water for birds and other small animals.More natural habitat that contains much hidden life.Another sign with more California natives, including plants and birds.Someone walks on a path that winds near the entrance to this small park-like space.
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Many volunteers improve the Native Plant Garden near the McCoy House Museum in Old Town San Diego.
I was pleased to stumble upon an Earth Day event today as I walked into Old Town San Diego State Historic Park. A variety of organizations had gathered along the path leading to the McCoy House Museum, and many volunteers were working in the nearby Native Plant Garden.
What did I see?
Sign welcomes visitors to Old Town San Diego State Historic Park’s cool Earth Day Open House!Volunteers work with a State Park Ranger in Old Town’s native garden for Earth Day. The Old Town Transit Center is visible in the background.A row of tents near the McCoy House Museum welcomes curious visitors during the Earth Day Open House event.These guys represent Green Love, an environmental organization of the Associated Students at San Diego State University.Green Love’s endeavors include campus outreach, environmental justice, sustainable transportation, and even a community garden.Friendly ladies of the Old Town Basketry Guild demonstrate their ancient craft.Sheet details how to become a member of the Old Town San Diego State Historic Park Basketry Guild.Participants in Old Town’s Earth Day hang out by the McCoy House, which today serves as a museum of San Diego’s early history.At this table, the California State Parks Foundation celebrates Earth Day!This sheet shows upcoming volunteer opportunities in several regional California State Parks!A knowledgeable expert showed me examples of native San Diego flowers, including the richly golden California poppy, our state’s official flower.Flyer provides info concerning the California Native Plant Society’s San Diego Garden Tour 2019.I declined to plant a seed today, but I did get some smiles.Guys with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife answered questions at their table. I believe that’s a coyote.Hard-working volunteers could be seen all around the Native Plant Garden.These generous Target employee volunteers were repairing the fence around the McCoy House. Thank you!Caring for our planet during a cool Earth Day event.
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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!
Starting across Cabrillo Bridge, looking south toward downtown San Diego.
On Sunday I walked slowly through Balboa Park. I began at the Cabrillo Bridge and headed east along El Prado. My wandering feet finally took me down into Florida Canyon.
I discovered many scenes of natural beauty: green canyons, bright trees, yellow hillsides, spring flowers, newly opened roses and even cacti.
Come along…
Near the center of the bridge. Sunlit trees line the median of scenic State Route 163, also known as the Cabrillo Freeway.Looking back along historic Cabrillo Bridge toward the West Mesa of Balboa Park.Near the east end of the bridge, gazing down at the Rube Powell Archery Range.Passing through the California Quadrangle. Palm trees cast shadows on the California Tower.Turning back to photograph the California Tower from the Alcazar Garden.Twisty trunks and shadows near the Timken Museum of Art.Staghorn ferns on one wall of Balboa Park’s Botanical Building.Orchids inside the Botanical Building.More natural beauty inside the Botanical Building.A small yellow flower greets me inside the Casa del Prado. I stumbled upon a sale by the Southern California Plumeria Society.A bloom along El Prado near the Casa de Balboa.Walking along El Prado, just above the Zoro Garden.Like orange flames.Looking backward as I finally approach the east end of El Prado.About to cross over Park Boulevard on the pedestrian bridge, pausing for a moment to look south toward the Fleet Science Center.Strolling among early spring blooms in the Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden.In the rose garden, aiming my camera toward the fountain.Another rose.Another.Gazing east across Florida Canyon. A rainy winter has brought forth lush spring greenery.Now I am moving north, into the Desert Garden.Strange cactus beauty.More beauty.About to head down a winding path into Florida Canyon.A hillside bright with cacti and spring flowers.Nature has painted the hillside.Slanting cacti.The natural beauty in Balboa Park never ends.
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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!
Yellow mustard is blooming across San Diego’s hillsides, and other early spring flowers are thriving, too! The rainy winter has produced a cheerful show of bright color all around the city.
I walked near the San Diego River by Fashion Valley this morning and found many patches of sunflowers.
UPDATE!
I goofed! Most of these flowers are actually garland chrysanthemums (also called crown daisies), which aren’t native to our region. But these invasive plants do flourish in San Diego now.
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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!
Side door to San Diego’s City Administration Building lies beyond a small garden containing cacti and succulents.
I was waiting for a trolley at the Civic Center station the other day when my eyes wandered over to the City Administration Building. A small desert garden caught my attention, and I remembered how a few years ago that semicircle of garden used to be a fountain.
The next Blue Line trolley was still five minutes away, so I walked over to look at a nearby plaque and a sign.
Bronze plaque near the small desert garden planted in the basin of The Phil Swing Memorial Fountain, which was dedicated on July 6, 1967.Sign explains the Phil Swing Memorial Fountain was re-purposed to a Desert Garden. In 1933, Mr. Swing introduced a bill to establish Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.Philip D. “Phil” Swing was appointed to the California State Water Resources Board in 1945. This beautiful garden honors his contributions to the conservation of desert lands and water resources.A trolley arrives at the Civic Center station near a small desert garden in downtown San Diego.
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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!
I got off work early today and headed into Balboa Park.
As I wandered through the Botanical Building, my eyes were captivated by brilliant sunlight filtering through the green leaves and surrounding lath. With my small camera I tried to frame patterns of beauty . . .
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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!
When I noticed the San Diego County Orchid Society was having their Winter Show and Sale in Balboa Park today, I headed directly to the Casa del Prado. That’s where tables overflowing with colorful, jewel-like blooms awaited the public.
I know next to nothing about orchids. All I know is they affect me in a mysterious way. Like any beautiful thing. Their exquisite forms seem to have sprouted from some perfect, generative, magical place.
Of course, you and I also sprout from that same place.
The San Diego County Orchid Society had their Winter Show and Sale in Balboa Park’s Casa del Prado this weekend!Orchid lovers around San Diego submitted their entries in the hopes of winning Best of Show.
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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!
Sunlight was casting its spell on flowers, leaves and webs in the Alcazar Garden.
Stay tuned!
A massive, truly magnificent, 300 year old bronze Kannon statue debuted several days ago in a beautiful corner of the Japanese Friendship Garden, as well as their new sparkling stream . . . and today I took photos!
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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!
Moth Study 2018, Evelyn DuVall, watercolor and ink. IDEA Center High School.
Before I began my walk yesterday at Mission Trails Regional Park, I ventured into the Visitor Center and was pleased to see walls full of art created by students from the Grossmont Union High School District.
Many of the Wilderness Views are really good. Creativity thrives in San Diego’s East County! I took quick photos of some pieces that I happened to like.
Most of the artwork is for sale. If you’d like to support local high school students and their artistic endeavors, head over to the Mission Trails Visitor Center before the exhibition ends on January 4, 2019.
Untitled, Ashton McDowell, acrylic paint and spray paint. West Hills High School.Caught, Rachel Silvis, digital photography collage. Grossmont High School.Improvised Explosive Device (I.E.D.), Siena Quinn, acrylic. Grossmont High School.Reflective Sunset, Cherish Clarkson, digital photography. Grossmont High School.The Tears of Nature, Travis McCrae, watercolor. Grossmont High School.Quoth the Raven, Amalia Browning, suminagashi ink, acrylic paint. Monte Vista High School.Malcolm, Siena Quinn, colored pencil. Grossmont High School.El Tigre, Ryan Zubik, watercolor. Grossmont High School.Dangerous Spots, Maryam Ablahad, scratchboard. Valhalla High School.Bambino, Joshua Meriwether, scratchboard. IDEA Center High School.In the Leopard’s Gaze, Armida Angulo, colored pencil. Grossmont High School.Untitled, Kirsten Fraga, charcoal and colored pencil. West Hills High School.Dripping Lily, Evelyn DuVall, watercolor and ink. IDEA Center High School.Moonrise, Brooke Moran, linoleum print. Steele Canyon High School.Smooth Waves, Britney Guerrero, acrylic. Steele Canyon High School.Lobos, Natalie Burke, acrylic. Steele Canyon High School.Ocean Eyes, Rand Akim, tempera. Valhalla High School.It’s Pretty Wild, Savy, acrylic. Valhalla High School.Landscapes, Andy Orosco, watercolor. Steele Canyon High School.
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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!
Cool San Diego Sights! 