Coastal Flora and Topography

The coastal area north of La Jolla consists of cliffs rising above the Pacific, beyond which are hills and canyons that boast unique flora, such as the Torrey Pine, not found further inland due to the coastal microclimate of warm, moist air. Here we see foxtail and bottle brush plants. The coastal view features Black's Beach, a famous clothing optional venue in the foreground, and North County beaches in the background. The images of flora were taken just west of the Salk Institute campus (see below).

The Salk Institute

The Salk Institute, named after famed biologist Dr. Jonas Salk, who was instrumental in developing the polio vacine during the '40s and '50's, is located in the Torrey Pines area of La Jolla overlooking the Pacific. Designed by Louis I. Kahn (1965) , its so-called modern architecture has been lauded for its pristine minimalist beauty.

San Diego Skyline: View from Coronado

This is a daytime photograph of the San Diego skyline taken from Coronado looking north.

Star of India

The Star of India, described here in an historical plaque attached to its hull, is one of the most easily recognized iconic images representing San Diego.

Boats on the Bay

Cruise ships, the San Diego Maritime Museum and Coast Guard Patrol Boats share docking space on the embarcadero adjacent to the Star of India.

Reflections on the Waterfront

Reflections of multicolored lights on the Bay create a festive atmosphere for onlookers. The photograph was taken from Harbor Island looking southeast. Click on the image for a larger view.

Indian Gaming in San Diego County

Indiginous to San Diego County, the Kumeyaay Indians, of which there are many bands, the Viejas Indians among them, have developed gaming, retail and hotel centers around the County. Here we see four images representing the Viejas Casino and Outlet Center in East County near Alpine. Notice in the second image the presence of a waxing daytime moon in the upper left corner; and in the third image the rainbow among the mists of the water display in the retail center. Although black bears are no longer inhabitants of the area, it was not long ago that they could be seen, especially in places like Valley Center east of Escondido, which previously was known as Bear Valley.

Colorful Old Town

Old Town San Diego is a favorite venue for tourists, who are not only drawn to the historical past but to the colorful presentation of goods and services available in abundance.

Mexican Tiles: Balboa Park

Colorful hand painted Mexican tiles are featured in the Spanish Village Art Center, Balboa Park. In the second image, the tiles are purposfully used as an abstract background for a pink Hydrangia flower.

Carillon Tower: San Diego State University

This carillon tower was a central feature of the original San Diego State College campus library and central quad, and is now an iconic image of the University (SDSU).

Bee and Pink Flower

A local honeybee dives head first into the pollen laden center of a Hollyhock flower in North County.

Pelican Swimming

This image of a pelican swimming has elements of humor that often leave the viewer smiling. It is unusual in that it could almost be mistaken for a comic strip character. The photograph was taken at the San Diego Wild Animal Park.

Del Mar Race Track

The world famous Del Mar Race track, founded July 3rd 1937 by Bing Crosby and Pat 'Brien, typically runs during the summer months of July and August, following the San Diego County Fair.

"Having been bitten by the racing bug, Crosby and a bunch of his Hollywood buddies (among them Pat O’Brien, Oliver Hardy and Gary Cooper) hatched the idea for a horse palace by the ocean where you could play all day, party all night and leave the cares of the world behind."

(See Del Mar Track history for more information.)

In the first image, Crosby and O'Brien are seen on opening day 1937. In the second image, by RM Lewis, one can only guess what the jockeys are saying to each other as they pass the finish line, one of the horses winning by a nose.

Monsters on the Midway: Fun at the Fair

The Del Mar Fair (aka San Diego County Fair) attracts more than a million visitors a year. Here we see two views of the Midway rides that attract young and old alike. The Fair begins during the middle of June and ends on July 4th each year. These images are in black and white, which focuses attention on the geometry of the forms.

Play of Light and Shadow

Here are two favorites that highlight the play of light and shadow at the dusk end of the day, where storm clouds provide a sense of drama to the images. These were both taken from East County looking west.

Woman in Window

I like this image not only for its subject and its compostion, but for what it is not. The photograph is actually a sales poster in the window of a shop at Sea Port Village, a high end retail center on the shore of San Diego Bay, which is a popular venue for visitors. I had taken some time to set up the shot, positioning myself so that the outcome looked as real as possible, giving the impression of both exotica and mystique.

Treasure in a Daisy Field

While photographing a stand of daisies in late afternoon light, I came across this unexpected treasure amidst the flowers. Rusted and in disuse, the form, with its sparkling spheres of glass, nonetheless creates a pleasing abstract design. These two images underscore the premise that the micro view can be every bit as pleasing as the macro, larger views of life. They are best viewed in larger format by double clicking on the image.

Sunrise Sky

Many of us seldom see the sunrise. When we do, we are usually too busy or preoccupied with thoughts of the day ahead to take the time for aesthetic enjoyment much less photography. Here is the San Diego sunrise on the last day of February, 2009.

Wall Art

I love these two examples of Southwestern wall art, of which there are many examples, in the San Diego area.

San Diego Skyline: View from Point Loma

Visitors to the Cabrillo National Monument and Old Lighthouse on Point Loma view the San Diego skyline (background) and the North Island Naval Air Station on Coronado (foreground). The viewpoint is looking northeast. This is the location where the Pacific meets San Diego Bay. Double click on the photo for a panoramic image.

Downtown San Diego: Portrait in Black and White

I like this three part series which, while not a comprehensive overview of the downtown area, offers a glimpse of the architechtural array the visitor will see. The black and white treatment helps to focus our attention on the interesting forms without the distractions one can sometimes encounter with color.

In the first image we see a secluded bistro on a side street near Horton Plaza. In the second, the Santa Fe Depot waiting room is viewed looking south toward Broadway. The third image is the fountain at Horton Plaza, a focal point on Broadway since the late 1800's.

Above and Below

From the vantage of the Torrey Pines cliffs above the Pacific, we see both the parasailer and the hiker walking home from Black's Beach several miles to the north. I like both images for different reasons. The image of the parasailer offers a glimpse of the freedom he is experiencing in his silent glide above the Pacific; and the hiker seems unaware of the abstract graphic design of sand and water upon which he treads. The Scripps Institute of Oceanography pier can be seen to the south in the first image. (See Torrey Pines Glider Port.)

Our Silver Pacific

The Pacific Ocean presents us with an ever changing kaleidoscope of rainbow colors depending upon the weather, the time of day, position of the sun and the presence or absence of clouds. Here, under a clear sky, the Pacific shimmers in sliver and crystal as we look upon it from the cliffs above Torrey Pines State Park. The view is southward, toward La Jolla.

County Administration Building

This is an unusual treatment of this architectural centerpiece along Harbor Drive on the Embarcadero due to the anglular perspective of the photograph, the contrast of sky and clouds, the overall color saturation, and the angular relationship between the height of the tall palm tree on the left, the tower and lower portion of the building on the right, which mirror the angle of the clouds.

Sails and Rigging

I like both the simplicity and complexity of this piece -- the simplicity of sails and yard arms combined with the complexity of this tall ship's rigging against the contrast of sails and the deep blue mid-day sky. The contrast in this photo was accomplished by using a circular polarizing filter designed for use with a digital camera.

Trees and Towers

I like this treatment of tall palm trees and office towers along the Embarcadero, including the deep contrast between sky and clouds.