Tag: sunset

Optical magic at the Bay Overlook.

I took a few photos today at Tuna Harbor Park’s popular Bay Overlook. The sun had fallen low. Sunset colors were rising.

Glass, water, clouds and sunlight created optical magic.

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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!

Waning rays of sunlight, magically captured.

One of the metal Wind Palms in front of the Hilton San Diego Bayfront catches golden light at the end of an October day.
One of the metal Wind Palms in front of the Hilton San Diego Bayfront catches golden light at the end of an autumn day.

I walked along the Embarcadero late today. As I reached the Hilton San Diego Bayfront the sun was beginning to set. Looking up, I observed that golden rays of waning sunlight had been magically captured by some peculiar palm trees…

Sunset begins behind trees of Embarcadero Marina Park South.
Sunset begins behind the trees of Embarcadero Marina Park South.
Late sunlight on one of the rotating Wind Palms created by artist Ned Kahn in 2008.
Late sunlight on one of the rotating Wind Palms created by artist Ned Kahn in 2008.
People jog along San Diego's Embarcadero as evening approaches.
People walk and jog along San Diego’s Embarcadero as evening approaches.
Waning rays of sunlight, magically captured.
Waning rays of sunlight, magically captured.

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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!

Dreams of gold on the darkening blue.

Admiral Hornblower on blue San Diego Bay gleams in the last rays of daylight.
Admiral Hornblower on blue San Diego Bay. It gleams in the last rays of daylight.

This evening I glimpsed dreams of gold on the darkening blue…

The darkening ship moves across the water toward a golden sunset.
The ship moves across the darkening water toward a golden sunset.
Youth row a Maritime Museum longboat as the sun sets, perhaps dreaming of finding pirate gold.
Young students row a Maritime Museum of San Diego longboat as the sun sets. Perhaps they dream of finding pirate gold.
Rowing forward across the water, all together as if in one shadowy dream.
Rowing the longboat forward across the water. They move together, as if in one twilight dream.
A trail of gold gleams behind a ship heading into evening darkness.
A trail of gold glistens behind Admiral Hornblower as it moves into the mysterious distance.

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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!

Green Flash public art in Mission Beach!

Beside the Mission Beach boardwalk, across the street from the "Hamel's Castle" surf shop, one can find the Green Flash.
Beside the Mission Beach boardwalk, across the street from the “Hamel’s Castle” surf shop, one can see the Green Flash.

I love fun, super creative public art!

Thanks to the imagination of Malcolm Jones, the San Diego artist who also created Imperial Beach’s Surfhenge, people can glimpse the Green Flash right next to the boardwalk that runs along Mission Beach!

This cool artwork is inspired by that rare sunset phenomenon called the green flash. An educational plaque also provides a scientific explanation of why the color green might briefly appear. I like to learn new things, too!

People head down the fun, always busy Mission Beach boardwalk, not far from public art titled Green Flash.
People head down the always busy Mission Beach boardwalk, not far from public art titled Green Flash.
The Green Flash seems to rise just above the far horizon of the blue Pacific Ocean.
The Green Flash seems to rise just above the far horizon of the beautiful blue Pacific Ocean.
A plaque describes the unusual public artwork. Green Flash by Malcolm Jones, 2002. Solid cast acrylic and concrete.
A plaque says who created this unusual public artwork. Green Flash by Malcolm Jones, 2002. Solid cast acrylic and concrete.
A beachgoer walks under the Green Flash in Mission Beach. I see Belmont Park's Giant Dipper roller coaster in the background.
A beachgoer walks under the Green Flash in Mission Beach. I see Belmont Park’s Giant Dipper roller coaster in the background.
The sunset phenomenon called the green flash is often cited but seldom seen. A diagram shows how near-horizontal sunlight is refracted through the atmosphere.
The sunset phenomenon called the green flash is often cited but seldom seen. A diagram shows how near-horizontal sunlight is refracted through the atmosphere.
I think I've glimpsed the Green Flash!
I think I’ve finally glimpsed the elusive Green Flash!

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Festival of Sail tall ships at sunset!

I was lucky to get some amazing photos this evening!

After work I took a walk along the Embarcadero, knowing that most of the visiting tall ships had arrived in San Diego for the 2017 Festival of Sail. What I hadn’t expected was an absolutely glorious sunset.

The following photos concentrate on a cluster of just three ships, including the museum’s Spanish galleon San Salvador, and the Exy and Irving Johnson, the twin brigantine flagships of the Los Angeles Maritime Institute. I walked back and forth along the water as the sun slowly descended into the fiery clouds.

If you’re in San Diego this weekend, make sure to check out the Festival of Sail near the Maritime Museum. You can tour lots of cool tall ships from up and down the West Coast and other historic vessels. And there will be cannon battles on the bay, special harbor tours, kids activities, tons of food and probably some roving pirates! The event runs Friday through Labor Day. As an enthusiastic member of the museum, you can bet I’ll be there!

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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!

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Another magical walk around Tuna Harbor.

If you’ve followed my blog for some time, you probably know that I love Tuna Harbor. It might be my favorite spot in San Diego.

Today, a little before sunset, I had another magical walk down the G Street Pier. Sunlight sprinkled stars upon the water. Slanting light reflected from a jumble of fishing boats; it silvered the downtown skyline.

After taking many photos of interesting stuff on the working pier, I headed around Tuna Harbor into Ruocco Park.

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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!

A few photos around sunset at Marston Point.

This evening around sunset I took a short walk through Marston Point, which is located in the southwest corner of Balboa Park.

Trees were gradually darkening. Directly to the south, Cortez Hill–the part of downtown San Diego where I live–gleamed like a shining paradise in the sky.

To the west, buildings near the bay and on Bankers Hill were crowned with streaks of pale gold.

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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!

Sunset magic on the G Street Pier.

The sun is setting across San Diego Bay above Navy ships docked at North Island.
The sun sets across San Diego Bay.  The sky changes color above Navy ships docked at North Island.

I saw magic today. I was standing out on the G Street Pier as the sun began to set.

What a pleasant evening for a walk.

Please enjoy these photos…

Birds above one last burst of sunlight.
Birds soar above one last burst of sunlight.
A slight rainbow appears at sunset above Point Loma.
A slight rainbow appears at sunset, between clouds above Point Loma.
A beautiful evening on the tranquil G Street Pier.
A beautiful evening on the tranquil G Street Pier.
The sunset turns fiery, painting the rippled water of San Diego Bay red.
The sunset turns fiery, painting the rippled water of San Diego Bay red.
Aircraft condensation trails catch the sun high in the sky, as light fades around fishing vessels docked at the G Street Pier.
Condensation trails high in the sky reflect the sun, as light fades around fishing vessels docked at the G Street Pier.
People linger into the evening at the end of the pier near Seaport Village. A pedicab with colorful lights turns around near a docked ship.
People linger at the end of the pier near Seaport Village into the evening. A pedicab with colorful lights turns around near a docked ship.
The Manchester Grand Hyatt towers turn golden in the last rays of the sun. A nearly full moon rises above them.
The Manchester Grand Hyatt towers turn golden in the last rays of the sun. A nearly full moon rises above them.
A magical moment at sunset in Tuna Harbor.
A magical moment at sunset in Tuna Harbor.
Sunset's bright red and yellow reflects from the silvery Marriott Marquis, and onto the calm water of Tuna Harbor.
Sunset’s red and yellow reflects from the Marriott Marquis, and onto the calm water of Tuna Harbor.  Pure magic.

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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!

I finished writing a short story titled The Child and the Koi. Click to read it!

Bright orange sunset casts magic on buildings.

A blazing orange and yellow sunset behind palm trees on San Diego's Embarcadero.
A blazing orange and yellow sunset behind palm trees on San Diego’s Embarcadero.

I saw magic this evening. The spell was cast as the sun neared the horizon. I lingered a few moments near Pacific Highway downtown, spellbound.

Golden light on the rippling sculptural facade of the Marriott building at Lane Field. The cool public art conceals hotel parking levels. It's titled California Rain and was created by artist David Franklin.
Golden light on the rippling sculptural facade of the Marriott building at Lane Field. The cool public art conceals hotel parking levels. It’s titled California Rain and was created by artist David Franklin.
Sunset flames becomes glowing embers in the dark windows of several downtown skyscrapers.
The sunset’s orange flames have become glowing embers in the dark windows of several downtown skyscrapers.
Reflected sunset in many different glass windows behind the Santa Fe Depot.
Reflected sunset in many different glass windows behind the Santa Fe Depot.
One stately dome of the Santa Fe Depot seems enveloped by magical panels of glowing color.
Dome of the Santa Fe Depot seems enveloped by magical panels of molten color.

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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!

A Sailor’s Life, romantic ships, and a blazing sunset.

A sailor and a sweetheart have a special date ahead. There is plenty of life on San Diego's Embarcadero late one Saturday afternoon.
A sailor and a sweetheart have a special date ahead. I discovered plenty of life on San Diego’s Embarcadero late this afternoon.

My walk late this afternoon along the Embarcadero was as wonderful as ever. The weather was mild, everyone was enjoying life, and I was fortunate to make a cool discovery or two. As you can see in these photos, romance was in the air. And adventure beckoned.  Or at least, it felt that way.

Pedestrians and a flag-draped pedicab approach the famous tall ship Star of India at the Maritime Museum of San Diego.
Pedestrians and a flag-draped pedicab approach the famous tall ship Star of India docked at the Maritime Museum of San Diego.
A member of the Navy Band enters the Berkeley steam ferry for a special Saturday evening event at the Maritime Museum.
A member of the Navy Band enters the Berkeley steam ferry for a special Saturday evening performance at the Maritime Museum.
A new exhibit by renowned photographer Kathryn Mussallem opened today at the Maritime Museum of San Diego. It's a Sailor's Life for Me - At work, play and homecoming.
A new exhibit by renowned photographer Kathryn Mussallem opened today at the Maritime Museum of San Diego. It’s a Sailor’s Life for Me – At work, play and homecoming.
Visitor atop the Star of India's forecastle has his picture taken among sails.
Visitor atop the Star of India’s forecastle has his picture taken among sails.
People enjoy a late afternoon laugh while sitting above the water on the Embarcadero.
People enjoy a late afternoon laugh while sitting above the water, feeling free, at the very edge.
A group watches the sunset above San Diego Bay from the deck of Anthony's Fish Grotto.
A group waits for sunset above San Diego Bay.  They have gathered on the deck of Anthony’s Fish Grotto.
A cruise ship slowly turns, preparing to depart San Diego.
A cruise ship slowly turns, preparing to depart San Diego.
Tourists walk along the picturesque Embarcadero while a cruise ship moves across the bay, making for the Pacific Ocean.
Tourists walk along the slowly darkening Embarcadero while a cruise ship moves across the bay, heading into night on the Pacific Ocean.
Jet aircraft high up on the flight deck of the USS Midway Museum in the late afternoon.
Jet aircraft high up on the flight deck of the USS Midway Museum, shortly before dark.
Day nears an end. The fishing boats at Tuna Harbor quietly float beneath a changing sky.
Day nears an end. The fishing boats at Tuna Harbor quietly float beneath a painted sky.
People stroll out on the pier near Seaport Village while gulls circle overhead and the sky changes color.
People stroll out on the pier near Seaport Village while gulls circle overhead and the western sky changes color.
Silhouetted evening diners at the Pier Cafe.
Silhouetted diners enjoy early evening at the Pier Cafe.
A glorious, glowing sunset turns the clouds orange and red. Visitors linger near the water at Seaport Village in San Diego.
A glorious, glowing sunset turns the clouds orange and red. Visitors linger near the water at Seaport Village in San Diego.

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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!