We love this old historic vessel, an icon of our city. The Maritime Museum of San Diego maintains and operates this and several other ships in their historic vessels collection. The contrast in seagoing passage is dramatic with the Star of India, the world’s oldest active ship berthed next to the modern passenger cruise ships.
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We try to keep our waterfront areas open, clean and beautiful for everyone. San Diego requires and enforces business license and permits for all street vendors. The artist shown here was 1 of only 3 along the two miles bay front sidewalk. For the shoppers among us, don’t worry, there are plenty of businesses nearby eager to welcome you. In the background you see part of the “Star of India” sailing ship and Anthony’s, one of our better seafood restaurants. And walking is popular in San Diego. We have over 5,000 miles of sidewalk.
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Carnival cruise ship Elation passes by Point Loma as she leaves San Diego harbor on January 24th. The picture is taken from the sun deck at Hotel Del Coronado.
Keeper Katie has her hands full with this meerkat at the San Diego Zoo. These fiesty little guys live in groups of 30 individuals called a gang or a mob. The keepers say some of them are easy to handle but others not so much. This one wanted down and let her know it. The children’s zoo has these guys behind a window down at eye level for the kids. They are amazing to watch.
Our newest member of the San Diego Zoo is shown at three hours old with mother and sister providing a tongue bath and much TLC. Photo April 16, 2009 at 1:30pm.
The Cabrillo Bridge was constructed in 1912-1914 for the Panama California Exposition in Balboa Park. The 120 ft. high structure spans the Sixth Ave. side of the park with the California Quadrangle. Hand labor did most of the work. Soaring scaffolds rose from the canyon floor as workers placed steel reinforcements and built wooden forms for concrete.
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The southern warthog may not appear to be as beautiful as some of the other animals at the San Diego Zoo. But the warthogs are remarkable for their strength, intelligence and ability to adapt and survive. Keeper Leslie looks after the warthogs with a wide range of duties that includes food prepartion, administer medications, observation, keeping records and cleaning their enclosure. The last picture below shows Leslie in the service shed behind the warthog exhibit. Take a couple of extra minutes on your next visit, say hello to Leslie if you see her and maybe you will fall in love with the warthog just like the zoo staff.
Since 1940 El Indio has served delicious authentic Mexican food. Visitors from all over the world drop by, even my folks from Colorado who came for a Christmas visit. This small 25-by-75 foot location draws a steady stream of customers with a waiting line to place your order very common. My favorite menu item is the #4 combination, a cheese enchilada & a beef tamale.
A collection of unique and historic Spanish-tile roofed shops are used by resident working artists including painters, sculptors, metalsmiths, jewelry designers, clay artists, gourd artists, photographers, printmakers, fiber artists, basket weavers, mixed-media artists, glass artists, and more. It is a wonderful place to explore. Learn more here.
Shelter Island Park spans most of the mile-long, secluded, resort island on San Diego Bay. From the island’s west end to the fishing pier, the park is a grassy area with picnic benches and shade trees. This section of park is ideal for bay-side fishing, enjoying a picnic, sitting back to take in the scenery, or reading a good book.
The Timken is a great little museum with old masters, some American paintings and Russian Icons. Admission is free, usually no line unless we are having a special exhibit.
I captured the turtle coming out of the house for the morning. Several othes gathered to watch as well. The lower rails make it easier for the kids to see.
I’m walking along and glance up at this giant pod. Attached to the pod are bananas. Very cool.
Just a few steps away from the banana tree is this scum patch. It took awhile to get my mind around the idea of a mess like this being natural, normal and even necessary. But it sure looks ucky.
He has just gotten to pet a miniture horse, how good is that? I just love to see the look on kids faces when they are at the zoo. So good! It really doesn’t get much better.
The Galápagos giant tortoise is the largest living tortoise. This adult weighs about 600 lbs. We have 17 at the San Diego Zoo.
From the Zoo website: “In 1969 the San Diego Zoo became a partner with the Charles Darwin Research Station on the islands, funding a new tortoise-rearing facility and helping with captive propagation and release programs. The Zoo also has one of the largest captive colonies of Galápagos tortoises in the world and has had these giants in the collection since 1928. That’s the year when Dr. Charles Townsend of the New York Zoological Society began his efforts to save the tortoises from extinction by collecting them and setting up colonies in zoos.
The original tortoises sent to the San Diego Zoo—yes, they are still with us!—are well over 100 years old today, although we do not know how long a tortoise will continue to produce offspring. In addition, because Hood Island tortoises Geochelone nigra hoodensis are so rare (estimates were 12 females and 3 males in the 1970s), the San Diego Zoo’s male, number 21, was sent to the Charles Darwin Research Station in 1976 to be part of the breeding program there. So far he has fathered hundreds of tortoises!”
Many of my regular readers have been thinking “wonder when is he going to show us a Ridge-tailed or Spiny-tailed Monitor?” Well, your wait is over. Here he is, varanus acanthurus acanthurus, the spiny-tailed monitor.
Again, we have only a male at the San Diego Zoo but Fresno and San Antonio have ONLY a female. I’m not kidding, check for yourself. I’m thinking about getting an appointment with the reptile people and talk this over. What do you think?
