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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As I walked through Little Italy this morning, local artists were busy setting up their booths for the big annual Mission Federal ArtWalk!
Finished canvases were carefully positioned for the public to admire and hopefully purchase. Artists stepped back to observe the effect of their arrangement. Asphalt streets were gradually transformed into bright corridors of imagination. Creativity swirled once again from hundreds of practiced hands.
The streets of Little Italy were being painted with dreams . . .
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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 cobblestone post at the entrance to Trolley Barn Park.
In University Heights, sunny Trolley Barn Park is a favorite place for neighbors to gather. Whenever I drive past I notice the grass field and playground are alive with activity.
Last weekend, as I walked through the park, I observed plaques and a winding path that remember the old trolley car barn that once occupied this beautiful spot overlooking Mission Valley.
In 1913 the Adams Avenue Trolley Barn was built near Mission Cliff Gardens. The popular botanical destination north of downtown was created by John D. Spreckels, who also owned the San Diego Electric Railway Company. The trolley barn was built directly adjacent to Harvey Bentley’s Ostrich Farm, where visitors could actually ride the exotic birds.
The large brick trolley barn serviced hundreds of cars until 1949. That’s when the streetcars, overtaken by city buses, finally ceased operation.
Many old cobblestone walls and posts from the days of Mission Cliff Gardens can still be seen around Trolley Barn Park and the surrounding neighborhood. Like the surprising images of ostriches, these cobblestone structures today are a symbol of the very unique history of University Heights.
To learn much more about the history of Trolley Barn Park and University Heights, you can visit a very informative page here.
Plaque at base of post reads: HISTORIC LANDMARK No. 369 – ADAMS AVENUE TROLLEY CARBARN SITE 1913 – 1949 . . . The Old Trolley Barn Park was dedicated on this site April 6, 1991.What appears to be a round table in the park contains an interesting plaque that recalls when trolleys ran through University Heights.Map of the old 1917 trolley line from downtown San Diego into University Heights in Old Trolley Barn Neighborhood Park.Dedicated to all of the members of the University Heights Community Association who helped make this park a reality.This scenic spot in Trolley Barn Park overlooks Mission Valley, which lies to the north.People jog along a shady path. Its “tracks” wind through the park like the old trolley line.Along the walkway are the street names once passed by the trolley line.Another sunny San Diego day as people recreate on the grass.An electrical box at the edge of the park is painted like a cobblestone post, one of the symbols of University Heights.Trolley Barn Park is a beautiful gathering place in University Heights that honors the community’s colorful history.
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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!
A very cool mural spray painted on the wall of The Land Barbershop on Adams Avenue.
During a recent walk along a stretch of Adams Avenue, I was excited to discover some very cool sights!
I photographed several great examples of street art, plus a tranquil park with a beautiful bronze sculpture.
My journey started in North Park, near the intersection of Adams Avenue and 30th Street. I proceeded west along Adams Avenue until I reached the Texas Street bridge, then I continued a couple blocks farther into University Heights.
More colorful artwork on the front of The Land Barbershop in North Park.A bold, contented face painted by the entrance to Dia Del Cafe.Faded mural depicting two classic cars, next to a repair bay at Advantec Auto Repair.It’s HYPNOSIS CAKE TIME at Twiggs Bakery and Coffeehouse!Fun art on the exterior of Mona Lizzy’s.More fun artwork at Mona Lizzy’s.Meditation is invited on Adams Avenue at the Sri Chinmoy Peace Garden, maintained by the San Diego Sri Chinmoy Centre.Plaque in a small park dedicated to Sri Chinmoy. STUDENT OF PEACE–CHAMPION OF THE INDOMITABLE SPIRIT OF MANKINDA fine bronze statue of Sri Chinmoy.Sign on Adams Avenue marks the west end of Historic Antique Row.Looking north into Mission Valley on a spring day. Photo taken from the Adams Avenue bridge over Texas Street, as I walked west from North Park into University Heights.Some stylish artwork painted on the wall of Grains vegetarian restaurant.
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Sunday afternoon I took the trolley to East County to enjoy a quiet walk near Gillespie Field. I knew that along Marshall Avenue there’d be no traffic.
As I walked down the long, empty sidewalk I turned my eyes toward sleepy hangars across the street, burgeoning spring flowers at my feet and a large construction site abandoned for the day. All I heard was the whisper of the breeze, birds flitting here or there and small planes rising into the sky.
The time and place was perfect for a stretch of thinking. I’m struggling with a short story that is particularly difficult. It’s a story about the complexity of people and the small actions that help to define a life. I keep changing the words.
As I walked along in a state of abstraction I slowly became aware of surprising shapes and contrasts in the world all around me. Exactly like the complexity we find in ourselves.
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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 enjoyed a small photographic adventure yesterday evening.
Walking along the Embarcadero, camera in hand, I gazed out toward San Diego Bay and the descending sun. Occasionally I paused to frame long shadows, glowing clouds, silhouettes and bright reflections on the water.
These photographs represent a segment of my walk from Broadway Pier to the Greatest Generation Walk, just south of the USS Midway.
The exaggerated contrasts in these photos were produced by my camera’s automatic mode. When I shoot into the sun, many of the resulting images can appear very dramatic. And darkly mysterious!
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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!
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!
During a recent morning walk through downtown San Diego and the Gaslamp Quarter, my curious eyes kept turning upward.
What’s that up there?
Fresh paint.The sun about to rise.A baseball cap.Machu Picchu.Construction at the 1887 Grand Pacific Hotel.A guy hanging from the roof of a downtown hostel!
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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!
Cool San Diego Sights! 