San Diego Wanderings

Hope Within

Sculpture in Chula Vista, CA, near the J Street Marina. It is named "Hope Within" by James Thomas Russell, 2002. It was commissioned by the Community Health Group to commemorate their 20th anniversary, December 7, 2002.

Fig Beetle

This colorful beetle was seen and photographed at the Tijuana Estuary in Ocean Beach, CA. This is a State Park, and is the largest wetlands area in southern California, where many areas have been lost to development. It is an important area for nesting and migration of birds.

Yellow-crowned Night Heron

This heron was photographed at the Tijuana Estuary. At one time it was an amazing thing to see a Yellow-crowned Night Heron in California. Several years ago a few appeared in this area, nesting in the trees adjacent to the estuary Visitor's Center. After several years of continued breeding, the herons are seen various places in the San Diego area. This is an adult, showing the yellow crown--I saw a few immatures and juveniles with their less defined plumage.

Bumblebee in Wild Rose

This pretty bumblebee was photographed on a wild rose growing at Tijuana Estuary, Ocean Beach, CA.

Bees in the Roses

These wild roses were blooming at the Tijuana Estuary, attracting several bees. This bumblebee stayed long enough for a few pics.

Yellow-crowned Night Heron

This heron was standing very still at the edge of the water of the San Diego River, and suddenly spotted this yummy crab (?), grabbed it, and had a tasty breakfast.

Old Town San Diego

I spent Thanksgiving in San Diego, and spent a little time with my camera in Old Town. Most of the area I wanted to shoot was closed for the holiday, but I got a few shots I liked. This beautiful architectural detail was one of them.

The Serenade

When walking in Old Town San Diego, I noticed this shop window with the unearthly musicians giving a serenade. While I walked by, this gentleman sat down in the window. I liked the effect of his being serenaded.

Train at Torrey Pines Beach

A group of us decided to position ourselves on the cliff above the beach, so we could photograph the Coaster train as it came through the bridge. The bridge is actually the I-5 freeway north of San Diego. We chose late afternoon for the shoot so we could include a great sunset, but the fog came in and there was almost no color and certainly no drama.

Building Detail

Balboa Park, San Diego.

Building Detail

Balboa Park, San Diego.

Classic Building

Balboa Park, San Diego.

Horn Blower

San Diego's Balboa Park includes many elaborate buildings. This image was a corner roof detail from an outdoor theater where concerts are held.

Botanic Building

This is the Botanic Building in Balboa Park, San Diego. It is filled with wonderful exotic plants and flowers.

Outside Window Detail

This shows the outside windows of the Botanic Building in Balboa Park. The turned wood forms the lattice work that cast wonderful shadows inside, as shown in the next photograph.

Looking Up

This image shows the inside of the Botanic Building, looking up into the lattice ceiling.

The Player

This elaborate decorative detail was photographed in Balboa Park in San Diego. It is part of an outdoor concert hall.

The Onlooker

This man was photographed in Chicano Park in San Diego. Although it was a week-day morning and only a few people were present, I enjoyed including them in the art in the park.

Light and Shadows

This narrow hallway in the Botanic Building in San Diego's Balboa Park, had wonderful patterns cast by the sun through the wood-latticed windows.

Sitting in the Park

The artwork shown here is of Mary, and below her is an altar set up with flowers and other items honoring, or in memory of, loved ones.

Art in Chicano Park

San Diego, CA.

Art in Chicano Park

San Diego, CA.

Art in Chicano Park

This view shows several works of art on the Coronado Bridge footings. This is done by local artists., Barrio Logan, San Diego, CA.

Art in Chicano Park

Chicano Park, San Diego, CA.

Playing in the Park

Playing around the artwork in Chicano Park, San Diego.

Beauty in the Park

This beautiful painting was one of many in Chicano Park, San Diego, CA.

Art at Chicano Park

Public art depicting the life struggles of the members of Barrio Logan, in a corner of San Diego, CA.

Art at Chicano Park

Artwork painted on the supporting structures of Coronado Bridge, Chicano Park, San Diego, California.

Art in Chicano Park

public art displayed on the supporting structures of the east end of Coronado Bridge, Barrio Logan, San Diego, CA.

Artwork in Chicano Park

San Diego, CA.

Chicano Park

There is a corner of San Diego called Barrio Logan, surrounding Logan Street. Out of the sense of strength and pride of this Chicano neighborhood, a park was developed under the east end of the Coronado Bridge. At the western end of the bridge is Coronado Island, famous for its expensive homes, tourists spots, exclusive shops and galleries and boat harbors. The east end, on the other hand is the total opposite. In Chicano Park, the supporting structures of the bridge have become a showcase of art done by members of the community. Beautiful, colorful, highly symbolic, and telling stories of life's struggles. A visit to the park yesterday generated photos of some of this art work.

Snowy Egret Flight

When birding along the San Diego River, this Snowy Egret lifted off the water and I grabbed this shot. Snowies are pretty common, and I don't always bother, but I liked the way this one turned out. 8/18/19 Judith Sparhawk

The Wild Rose and the Bee

The wild rose and bumblebee were photographed at Tijuana Slough Estuary, Imperial Beach. CA. 8/17/19 Judith Sparhawk

Crystalline Ice Plant

This low-growing plant was along the path at the Tijuana Slough Estuary, Imperial Beach, CA. I had never seen it before, but was attracted to the red color and the dainty flowers. Upon close inspection, I noticed the beadlike formations on the plants. I had thought they might be sticky, but they were smooth and firm. According to my wildflower field guide, it is Crystalline Ice Plant. The beads are actually water-filled cells that can be easily crushed. The flowers are about 1 inch across. 8/16/19 Judith Sparhawk

Yellow-crowned Night Heron

This Yellow-crowned Night Heron was photographed at the edge of the San Diego River. It was standing very still watching for breakfast to come by, then suddenly used its large bill to catch this crab or crustacean of some kind. This species of heron used to be quite a rarity in southern California, until several years ago when couple of breeding birds nested in Imperial Beach, adjacent to the estuary. Now, a few years later, they seem to pop up here and there in the San Diego area. They would still be considered rare, but I saw 4 (2 adults, 2 immatures) of them in 2 locations during my birding trip to San Diego last weekend. 8/15/19 Judith Sparhawk

Fig Beetle

This scarab type beetle was photographed at Tijuana Estuary, Imperial Beach, CA. The Fig Beetle is related to the Green June Bug which lives mostly in the southeastern United States, while the Fig Beetle is in the southwest. 8/14/19 Judith Sparhawk

Hope Within

On my trip to San Diego this weekend, I was birding near the marina in Chula Vista, CA today. This sculpture is nearby the marina. It is named "Hope Within", and is by James Thomas Russell, 2002. It was commissioned by the Community Health Group, to commemorate their 20th anniversary, December 7, 2002. I loved the graceful lines and its reflective nature.

Whaley House Museum

I ran across this image from months ago, when I wandered in Old Town, San Diego. This is a very cute little building; signs indicate that it is Whaley House Museum. It was closed, so I have no idea what this museum includes. I couldn't resist taking a few shots of it. 6/9/19 Judith Sparhawk

Through the Arch - Judith Sparhawk

One of the formations created from erosion of the shore at Sunset Cliffs, Ocean Beach, CA. 8/7/21 www.sparhawkphotography.com

Rock Collection - Judith Sparhawk

A closer view of the shoreline at Sunset Cliffs, Ocean Beach, CA. I watched the waves coming in, one after the other, and then noted the stones that have washed in and collected in the depression in the rock. This is a beach that cannot be reached by people, so it is a natural occurrence rather than something manmade. 8/6/21 www.sparhawkphotography.com

Sunset Cliffs - Judith Sparhawk

When I was down in San Diego recently, I went down to Ocean Beach and drove out to Sunset Cliffs. Birds were pretty scarce, but I enjoyed walking along the top of the cliffs and seeing the waves come in through the eroded cliffsides. 8/5/21 www.sparhawkphotography.com

Baby On the Loose - Judith Sparhawk

When visiting La Jolla Cove and watching the sea lions hanging out there, I especially liked this baby who had wandered away from mom and dad, who were taking a well deserved nap. He looked so curious and ready for adventure, I just had to take a few pics of him. Happy Mothers Day to all you mothers out there--do something special today! 5/9/21 www.sparhawkphotography.com

Imperial Beach Pier - Judith Sparhawk

Revisiting my trip to San Diego a couple of weeks ago. One of my birding spots is Imperial Beach, which has the ocean beach, some great estuary areas and the Tijuana River Valley. In this view, the city buildings behind the pier are from the city of Chula Vista, the ones farther along the coast are downtown San Diego. If I turn the opposite direction from the pier, I am looking across the border at Mexico. 5/8/21 www.sparhawkphotography.com

Sea Lion Hang Out - Judith Sparhawk

Among other wildlife spotted at La Jolla Cove, there were quite a lot of Sea Lions in and out of the water. This shows just a few hanging out on the rocks, loudly interacting with each other, chatting up a storm. 5/4/21 www.sparhawkphotography.com

Katy's Cafe - Judith Sparhawk

When I was wandering around in Imperial Beach, CA last weekend, it was way less crowded than usual, probably because people were staying home for safety. I even found a parking place 3 spaces from the beach! Nearby, I saw this cute little cafe, and although I didn't stop in, I appreciated the sign and the overall beach town look of it. 3/21/20 My website: www.sparhawkphotography.com

Beach Play - Judith Sparhawk

This shows two views of the base of the sculpture I posted a couple of days ago, from Imperial Beach, CA. In order to show the tall lanky lifeguard, it wasn't possible to see the wonderful details of the base of the sculpture, so here they are. So tonight the Governor of California executed a statewide "Stay at Home" order for most everyone, and closure of all non-essential businesses. Sigh... 3/20/20 My website: www.sparhawkphotography.com

Spirit of Imperial Beach - Judith Sparhawk

This sculpture is right by the beach in Imperial Beach, CA. It is titled "Spirit of Imperial Beach", by James A Wassil, 2008. It shows a hunky young lifeguard with his surfboard, two children, fishes, and a sandcastle. It really embodies this fun little beach town just a few miles north of the Mexican border. 3/18/20 My website: www.sparhawkphotography.com