San Diego River mottled with algae, behind grey branches.
Usually I keep my old camera on Auto mode then just aim and shoot. I take a million pics and hope a few come out okay.
This morning, during my walk to work through Mission Valley, I was fortunate to capture some weirdly artistic photographs. I paused a few times on the south side of the San Diego River as the sun rose. The slanting light illuminated patches of red algae, bright green reeds and tangles of dry branches.
San Diego River looks like an Impressionist painting.Red algae and bright green reeds in San Diego River.Morning light on San Diego River and swirls of color.
Vivid mural adds zest to an ordinary building on India Street.
One great thing about Little Italy, a lively neighborhood in downtown San Diego, is the abundance of public art. Should you ever walk down India Street past the many coffee shops, restaurants and art galleries, you’ll almost certainly find yourself lingering in front of a colorful mural. They seem to be everywhere.
I recently strolled down India Street and took these photos:
Two people gaze from painted mural window in Little Italy.Public mural in Little Italy is alive with warmth.Mural seems to reveal one man’s mysterious, inner life.Mural high on side of building depicts Venetian gondoliers.Artwork inside passage to stylish courtyard near La Pensione Hotel.La Pensione Hotel in Little Italy has a semi-outdoor area with lots of murals.Fragment of the Sistine Chapel on a building wall.
Anthony’s Fishette is empty, closed on New Year’s Day.
It didn’t matter that most places were closed. The Embarcadero was wide open.
On this sunny New Year’s Day people were simply walking or sitting at the edge of San Diego Bay, gazing out at the water and boats.
People simply talk or gaze at San Diego Bay near The Fish Market.Kids climb in trees near Greatest Generation Walk.Street vendor near USS Midway scoops a New Year’s Day treat.Man reads book on Tuna Harbor Pier for New Year’s Day.Gull enters the new year atop pile of yellow floats.
Corn husk roses, crosses, scepters and dragonflies.
A carefree walk with open eyes is a feast. One meanders into endless discoveries. Even cheap wares on the sidewalk or cart are worth a moment’s attention.
These photos of crafts, curios and colorful clutter were taken during an ordinary walk along San Diego’s Embarcadero.
Dazzled by sunglasses shining in the sun.Painted skulls, beads and assorted Mexican trinkets.Beads are a common product on sidewalks along the Embarcadero.Shells and dangling ornaments for sale on small vendor’s cart near the Midway.A rainbow of colors! Name bracelets alphabetically ordered.Layered dreamcatchers might catch really big dreams.Combination of football helmets and skulls on display for passing tourists.Bright piles of tie-dye shirts for sale on Embarcadero sidewalk.Whiskery, crazy, colorful faces painted on palm fronds.
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.
Starlight Bowl sign and the season that never came.
On the south side of Balboa Park, at the edge of a canyon next to the San Diego Air and Space Museum, you’ll find this rusting sign. It remains hopeful above the shuttered ticket windows of the Starlight Bowl, once home to the San Diego Civic Light Opera. The sign announces a 65th season that never came.
A couple years ago the San Diego Civic Light Opera went bankrupt. Which is a shame. For a long happy time during the warm summer months the outdoor theatre featured musicals and other popular productions. I remember watching the Pirates of Penzance and the Taming of the Shrew here when I was very young. The coolest thing I remember was how the actors would all freeze and shows would be suspended for several seconds when noisy, low-flying airplanes approaching Lindbergh field passed directly overhead.
Display glass near entrance which used to show upcoming productions is vacant.The outdoor Starlight Bowl has an audience of weeds.
I walked around to one side for a view of the beloved Starlight Bowl and held my camera above a chain link fence for the above photo. The outdoor stage now has an audience of weeds.
Side view of the Starlight Bowl, which has been sadly abandoned for years now.
While walking through Mission Valley in the early morning, I did a double take when I saw this unusual sight! I assume the motel is undergoing a name change. Or perhaps the driver hauling the Super 8 sign stayed a night at Quality Inn!
I recently walked around Barrio Logan to take photos of street art, including the famous murals in Chicano Park. During my fun adventure I passed this building.
I looked at Google Maps and believe this is or was the location of Kippy’s, a fashion design business that has a store in Coronado.
Corner of cool Barrio Logan Kippy’s building.Faces depicted on Kippy’s building in Barrio Logan.Cool Kippy’s mural in Barrio Logan depicts Mariachis.
Here comes a fun batch of photos taken Saturday during my walk along San Diego’s beautiful Embarcadero!
Glowing green Urban Trees artwork on San Diego’s Embarcadero. Green Fire, Robert Verhees, 2006.
This sculpture was originally part of an Urban Trees bayside art exhibit some years ago. A few remain on display here and there along the bay and elsewhere in San Diego. In this photo, the sun is directly behind the translucent green material, making it glow!
Coast Guard cutter docked at San Diego Cruise Ship Terminal.Tourists at the Visitor Information shack.Kid kicks a ball on the grass in Ruocco Park.Stone and steel ants by an artist near Seaport Village.Balloon Mario, Little Mermaid and Hulk attract kids.Children’s Miracle Network volunteers near Tuna Harbor.Heron stands on rocks beside San Diego Bay.Colorful pedicab drivers wait on Embarcadero for riders.Street performer plays sax by the USS Midway.Balloon twister guy sits patiently on the Embarcadero.
Captain Swordfish readies to engage in pirate mischief.
Sadly, my stroll along the Embarcadero today was interrupted by a terrible turn of events. That half-crazed pirate, Captain Swordfish, was out on the sidewalk near the San Diego Maritime Museum, badgering passing tourists and other innocents with his patented piratical mischief. Good grief!
Here he comes now about to draw his sword. There seems to be no escape. Isn’t ordinary pillaging and mayhem enough? Aaarrrrr, matey!
Figurehead of the HMS Surprise wears a Santa hat!
I wonder if Captain Swordfish was responsible for this, too?