One of the San Diego Fire Department’s two firefighting helicopters fills its water tank using a hose lowered into the San Diego River in Mission Valley.
I was lucky late this afternoon to capture some cool action pics! After work, I was eating at Jack in the Box in Hazard Center when I saw a helicopter swooping rapidly down toward the nearby San Diego River. A hose was dangling underneath, so I knew it was a firefighting helicopter arriving to suck up some river water!
I hurried down to the center of the action to watch and snap a few photographs. It’s the first time I’ve witnessed this activity up close.
Someone on the river path said there was a fire to the northwest in Linda Vista, but I couldn’t see any smoke. I watched five different instances of helicopters filling their tanks, then the action ceased. The fire must’ve been quickly contained.
A wildfire must be nearby because here comes a firefighting helicopter swooping rapidly down over Mission Center Road and the raised trolley tracks toward a wide spot in the San Diego River!The chopper slows and carefully makes its descent in order to suck water into its belly tank to eventually drop on a wildfire.The air from the rotor blades causes spray to fly up from the surface of the San Diego River. Several joggers and walkers on the nearby paths stopped to watch.The long hose quickly sucks a good quantity of water from the river. The pilot is highly skilled, hovering the helicopter close above the water, steady as a rock.A couple minutes later one of the San Diego County Sheriff’s three firefighting helicopters arrives! You can see the external belly tank underneath the chopper’s body!This firefighting helicopter got so close to the water I had to hold my breath. These brave hero pilots are amazingly precise.ASTREA is the Sheriff’s Department aviation unit. Up their aircraft goes, quickly swinging overhead and heading to the northwest. Someone thought there was a fire in Linda Vista, but I didn’t see smoke from the bottom of Mission Valley in any direction.A San Diego Fire Department chopper has sucked up more water from the river and flies in a big hurry again toward the northwest! The fire must have been small, because the action above the river didn’t seem to last for more than 15 minutes.
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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk! Sometimes I randomly stumble upon fascinating, newsworthy events! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
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.Bicycle and pedestrian paths follow the San Diego River through Mission Valley.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. (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! (Click image to enlarge.)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.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.A couple of busy bees collect pollen in the morning.
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A flock of San Diego River ducks. The curious birds seem to wait for a morning bus at the Fashion Valley Transit Center.
Just a quick, fun post!
This morning, a flock of San Diego River ducks were happily waddling about the Fashion Valley Transit Center. They fearlessly mingled with the humans, who watched the proceedings with amusement. Perhaps those curious feathered friends were also waiting for a bus!
Car deep in the water. The flooded lower level of a Fashion Valley mall parking garage in San Diego’s Mission Valley.
Occasionally I post not-so-cool photos on my blog. Here are some that are noteworthy. I took these this morning while walking through a section of Mission Valley on my way to work. Because it lies right next to the San Diego River, the area is notorious for catastrophic flooding.
Yesterday we had a storm that brought intense rain to our region. It was the second winter storm of this El Nino year. Today we’re having our third storm, and it looks to be fairly rainy for many days to come.
Of course, after California’s long drought, we need the water. Unfortunately, the rain that falls in Mission Valley and many other parts of San Diego isn’t captured–it simply runs off into the ocean. I hope there isn’t too much damage caused this winter by El Nino. To my blog’s followers who are affected, take care!
The morning after an early winter storm during an El Nino year. The sun is out as people cross the San Diego River near the Fashion Valley Transit Center.Areas along the San Diego River are notorious for flooding. Yesterday a long deluge raised the water to an unusually high level.A couple dozen cars were spotted flooded at the Fashion Valley shopping mall. This one was stranded not far from Macy’s, which also suffered some flooding inside the store.More cars abandoned in the flood. Many storms are in line to strike San Diego in the coming days during this El Nino year.The bike and pedestrian pathway beneath Highway 163 flooded and was impassable. The nearby river was swollen with the recent rain.A beautiful morning photo of the San Diego River taken from Mission Center Road. This spot floods during severe storms and traffic must be diverted.A barrier stands ready for the next storm. It looks to be a long, watery winter!
Visitors enjoying Explore Mission Trails Day head down Grinding Rock Trail.
About 60 miles of hiking trails through a wilderness environment can be found just 8 miles from downtown San Diego. Seriously!
This morning I enjoyed a very short walk (about a mile) at Mission Trails Regional Park. I went on the occasion of Explore Mission Trails Day, an annual event that showcases this amazing, enormous urban park.
The relatively easy hike was from the Visitor and Interpretive Center to some grinding rocks on the banks of the San Diego River, then back. Led by our guide, Linda, a small group learned what life was like for the ancient Kumeyaay people, who’ve lived in this dry, rugged area of Southern California for thousands of years, long before Europeans arrived. The Kumeyaay lived off the land. The very land where we walked.
We gathered at the kiosk near the parking lot for an easy morning nature walk.Hiking through common, aromatic Southern California sagebrush toward a distinctive mountain, South Fortuna.We pause under a coast live oak, which produces acorns and shade valued by the native Kumeyaay.Large nest created by a woodrat (also known as pack rat). The Kumeyaay would bang a nest with a stick and hope to capture a snake, to eat.We cross a small wooden footbridge and take in nature’s sights and smells on a beautiful day.These tiny pinkish white flowers are flat-top buckwheat. Their tiny seeds are edible. The blooms attract butterflies.It’s easy to forget you are in the San Diego city limits in this open wilderness.Water erosion visible in the gradually descending dirt trail. As the morning was overcast and cool, no snakes were out sunning.Yucca fibers were used by the Kumeyaay to make nets, sandles, baskets and other useful things.Linda, our tour guide, talks about the ancient history of this region and its indigenous peoples. The Kumeyaay moved about depending on the season and availability of resources.Dodder is an orange colored parasitic plant. According to Kumeyaay legend, a woman who failed to guard a camp against invaders ran away, and some of her hair snagged in the bushes!A patch of poison oak! Leaves of three, let it be!We approach the San Diego River, but first pass beneath a large arching tree. If you see a native tree in San Diego, there’s probably water nearby!Smooth boulders on a bank of the San Diego River in Mission Trails Regional Park.Family investigates the life-giving water. The Kumeyaay at times would follow the river all the way to the coast, where some witnessed the landing of explorer Cabrillo.Many mortar-like holes in the nearby boulders are where Kumeyaay ground acorns, seeds, roots, herbs and other edible resources found in this arid environment.Walking stick leans up near some Yucca fiber creations brought by our guide. The basket on the right was made with willow branches. Natural salicylic acid found in willows kept out insects!Starting back up toward the Visitor Center during a very cool hike in San Diego! If you go for a hike, bring water and sturdy shoes!
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Park rangers and community organizations set up displays on the Visitor Center patio.
This morning I headed up Mission Gorge Road to check out the big annual Explore Mission Trails Day event!
Mission Trails Regional Park is a 6000-acre nature reserve located in San Diego’s East County. It’s one of the largest urban parks in the United States–basically a wide stretch of rugged, rocky wilderness within our large modern city! The San Diego River runs through the very heart of the park as it makes its way from higher inland elevations to the Pacific Ocean. I often drive past and gaze at the low chaparral-covered mountains and hills, and twice I’ve climbed Cowles Mountain, but this was the first time I’ve actually set foot inside the Visitor Center.
What an awesome place! How did I miss it all of these years?
Today I limited myself to the south end of the park, including a short but super cool hike from the Visitor Center to the Grinding Rocks. (That will be my next blog post!) There were additional Explore Mission Trails Day activities up by the Old Mission Dam and Kumeyaay Lake Campground, and by Mast Boulevard and Highway 52. I suppose I’ll have to go again next year!
My photos tell the story of what I saw…
Banner beside Father Junipero Serra Trail announces Explore Mission Trails Day!There were opportunities to learn about nature, wildlife, science, history and the environment.Some folks near the main entrance of the Mission Trails Regional Park Visitor Center.Bronze sculpture of a golden eagle is perched above path near the Visitor Center entrance.Plaque by door dedicates the large open space park to past, present and future San Diegans.View inside the Mission Trails Visitor and Interpretive Center from second floor balcony.Flutists play near “Heritage” sculpture depicting native Kumeyaay elders. Amazing monumental artwork is by T.J. Dixon and James Nelson.The Art of Bird Photography is a special exhibition featuring the work of Blake Shaw.Roberta Labastida is the author of My Ancestors’ Village, which tells about the life of the Kumeyaay people who were here long before the arrival of Europeans.Numerous exhibits and activities could be found inside the Mission Trails Visitor and Interpretive Center.Western Scrub Jay and Northern Racoon are animals one might see in this very large San Diego urban park.Cleaning some chalk off where kids have been identifying animal tracks.The bobcat is often encountered in the hills and mountains of San Diego County. I once saw one while hiking around Mount Laguna!Historically, the Kumeyaay lived in large family groups, and moved about depending on the season and the availability of nature’s bounty.Exhibits in Visitor Center’s museum show different aspects of Kumeyaay culture, including songs, games and crafts.Very cool observation window allows visitors to look out upon South Fortuna and Kwaay Paay Peak.With the majestic chaparral-covered Fortuna Mountains as its backdrop, the coastal sage scrub habitat is highly adapted to our long hot summers.Looking back out at the rear patio. More people have arrived in the past few minutes while I explored inside.Now I’m outside again, coming down some steps. Another cloudy day, following San Diego’s latest storm!Replicated flume near Visitor Center is a modern interpretation of the man-made channel that carried water from the Old Mission Dam (a couple miles upriver) to Mission San Diego de Alcala.Sign by replicated flume details how it was engineered over two centuries ago. Water was used at the old historic Mission for livestock, farms and inhabitants.Cool table full of meteorites next to traditional Kumeyaay house made of willow branches.This sign tells the story of a fictional Kumeyaay woman, circa the year 1000. This primitive house was called an Ewaa.Large boulder moved to Visitor Center due to construction contains a mortar-like hole used by Kumeyaay to grind acorns, seeds, roots, herbs and other natural foods.A replicated solar calendar made of stones, used by Native Americans to mark the Winter Solstice. Only a couple have been found in San Diego County.This pink beauty is a California Wild Rose, found beside the patio. They’re more often found along streams.Lady rests in Visitor Center amphitheater by small bronze sculpture of a Dusky-footed Woodrat. This wild rodent can create a nest up to 8 feet high!Sculpture of a coyote, one the top predators of Mission Trails Regional Park. Even with human encroachment, they remain numerous today.Family checks out a very cool, life-size sculpture of a mountain lion at the amphitheater. This secretive animal is rarely seen around here.Ms. Frizzle was present at Explore Mission Trails Day! The event was an educational treat for both kids and adults!
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The roots were almost completely torn out of the ground, but the stubborn tree in spring has green leaves!
Perhaps you read my blog post about the violent microburst that tore through San Diego’s Mission Valley on September 16, 2014. Along with photos of the aftermath, I described the tornado-like winds of the freak weather phenomenon.
A microburst is a localized downdraft of wind that can occur under unstable weather conditions. Several areas around San Diego were struck by a microburst that day, and the resulting damage was stunning. Small airplanes at an airport were tossed through the air. Along the banks of the San Diego River, hundreds of trees were torn to shreds and uprooted.
This morning, 7 months later, I walked along the river path where I had scrambled over thickly fallen trees right after the natural disaster.
Many of the uprooted trees were removed by crews with chainsaws in the days that followed the microburst. But some were not. Check out a few pics from my walk this spring morning! Like the famous quote from the movie Jurassic Park, life finds a way!
One of hundreds of trees that were uprooted during the super violent microburst last September. Amazingly, this one still flourishes!This fallen tree is now growing horizontally like a hedge along a Mission Valley sidewalk!Sign beside the San Diego River Trail. Why fallen trees are okay! There are important benefits to the soil, flora and fauna.
The sign reads:
When a tree falls most people want to remove it from where it has fallen. However, sometimes it is best if we urge people not to be too quick to tidy up. It is often very beneficial to leave the tree, mound of soil, rocks and roots lifted by the tree if they aren’t in the way or dangerous.
The soil eventually will settle as the wood rots, and these tree-root soil mounds are the real “windfall” for some plants and animals. Consider these examples: The bare soil on the mound is home for several mosses that prefer a drier spot free of competition. The space under the lifted roots makes a good place for an animal to dig a breeding den. Wet soil left behind can make a temporary pool for amphibians.
Green shoots look unusual on this violently torn tree trunk. I believe this is a Fremont Cottonwood.Life springs forth from a broken stump months after a devastating natural disaster.
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A human heart hovers above the Serra Museum atop nearby Presidio Hill in this extremely unique ceramic artwork.
There’s some fascinating public art in Mission Valley that few people see. It’s located in the deep shadows beneath Interstate 8 where the freeway passes over Hotel Circle. Eyes are adjusting to darkness as motorists, turning a corner, quickly pass five ceramic panels high on drab concrete pillars. The one sidewalk is located on the opposite side of the street. To really appreciate the artwork, you have to cross traffic dangerously and stand in a narrow band of dirt right up close.
Today I walked to work past the darkly obscured art and decided to finally get a closer look.
Vital Parts, installed in 1999, was created by local San Diego artist Joanne Hayakawa. The pieces seem to be stratified, crumbling and sculpted by time and memory. They seem to blend with the dirt beneath the bare bridge.
The very dark Interstate 8 underpass at Hotel Circle features seldom appreciated public art.Vital Parts, by artist Joanne Hayakawa, was installed on five pillars of a Mission Valley freeway bridge in 1999.Mysterious fossil-like hand hovers above nearby San Diego River and what I believe are Native American structures.Human brain, made golden by underpass light, crowns image of old Mission San Diego and the ever-present blue river.Spine rises over what I believe is modern Qualcomm Stadium. This earthy art is very unusual and evocative.Chin and silent mouth seem like a timeless clay mask beside the eternally flowing river.
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Youth helps paint a public mural along the San Diego River Estuary.
This morning, after I checked out the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, I headed out to the San Diego River Estuary and enjoyed a long, leisurely walk. I’d read that kids would be painting a cool mural next to the river, directly south of SeaWorld and east of the Sports Arena Boulevard/West Mission Bay Drive bridge.
When I arrived, the mural was nearly completed. The project was hosted by The San Diego River Park Foundation. Young artists also had an opportunity to do a little birdwatching!
Bicyclists heading down Old Sea World Drive spy a line of colorful artwork.The San Diego River Park Foundation is working to preserve the life-filled estuary.Lots of paint cans contain the colors of wildlife and river scenery.San Diego River Park Foundation banner is positioned near mural painted by kids.Most of the painting was completed when I walked by in the late morning.Adults were putting some finishing touches on the cool public art.A project of River Kids Discovery Days on March 14, 2015.Two great egrets in San Diego River Estuary not far from the mural project!San Diego Park Rangers were also painting. This panel depicts a snowy egret.Mural artists put their names on sign beside the San Diego River Trail.Lots of kids turned out to add life and color to a fence bordering nature’s beauty.
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Public art in San Diego honors those who serve in uniform, defending Peace, Liberty, Justice, America , Freedom.
Four large painted murals can be seen under Interstate 5 where the freeway passes over Rosecrans Street, just west of Old Town. The title of my blog post is a bit deceptive, because I only managed to get decent pics of three murals. The fourth, which depicts the Coronado Bay Bridge, was half in sunlight, half in darkness, and is the least interesting (in my opinion) of the four anyway.
Mural includes two colorful scenes from historic Old Town, just a short walk away.Four works of art glimpsed by motorists as they drive under the busy overpass.Pedestrians file past artwork that shows nearby San Diego River and wildlife.
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