Howling Point

Test of Wills meets Test of Physics.

The little one, either being playful or testing boundaries, was trying to push back various adults this morning - it looked cute but he never really stood a chance.

Who's watching whom?

Spent a long time watching the warthogs at Safari Park this morning, but this one was watching right back. Also, who are you calling 'common'?

Reflections

House of Hospitality reflected in the Lily Pond during a thirty-second exposure night shot at Balboa Park

Ghost Ducks

With a thirty-second exposure I was expecting the ducks to blur - more surprised at the few that seemingly didn't move for the entire shot.

Fountain

Fog rolled in spoiling my original plans, but very happy with the long-exposure shots I did get. This is one of two fountains on either side of the Botanical Building at Balboa Park.

One on One

Original caption: "Davis redshirt freshman Ryan Hagens takes a late game penalty shot against the Sagehens." This was taken at the UC Davis defeat of the Pomona-Pitzer Sagehens at the 2008 UC San Diego Triton Invitational, an annual local college water polo tournament. I keep a 14x14 canvas print of this in my office just for the look of determination on the goalie's face.

Up High For The Toss

This was taken in February 2009 at the San Diego Rugby Invitational at the Del Mar Polo Grounds during a match between the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and Naval Academy teams. I entered a print of this in juried competition at the San Diego County Fair later that year, where it brought home an Honorable Mention.

Close call

Tough to row when the boats are this close. The race was (arguably) decided on a collision out near the buoys.

Not ideal entry (II)

Seconds after a related picture of the same crew.

Not ideal entry (I)

The race included three laps, with one member of each boat exiting and running to shore at the end of each lap. Returning to the boat on the fly was the challenge, and occasional hazard.

Not avoiding the obvious

So wanting to make burger jokes. So many tasty options. Must... resist.

Racing

Competitors competing their event in the 2-man Rescue Relay.

Good morning

Competitor getting warmed up at the Ocean Festival lifeguard competition.

Balance

Working on the balance for dory boat race entrance.

White

Most of the boats had sponsors of some sort. The announcers just kept referring to this one as the 'white boat.'

Before you paddle...

Gotta get the boat lined up.

Rowing and waves

Pushing through the surf.

Moving the boat

Getting the boat in position.

Getting the boat from land to sea.

Early morning prep work for the dory boat races at the Greatest Show on Surf.

Getting ready for that first cold dip.

Long Beach Lifeguard at the 2019 lifeguard competition at the San Clemente Ocean Festival.

Someone's Hungry

Almost missed the little one sticking his head out for a snack.

Not very welcoming

It seems Mister Tiger doesn't appreciate morning visitors.

Chubby Unicorn mid-Brunch

Save the Chubby Unicorns!

Christ Church Cathedral

Exterior of the Christ Church Cathedral in Houston. An interior view of the three stained glass panels is also in this gallery as Stained Glass I. I stumbled on this building while walking around one day because it was one of the few older buildings near where we were staying. As the docent explained to me on my tour, (paraphrasing) 'Texans don't rebuild, the rip down and replace. This is the exception.'

Stained Glass III

Two additional stained glass panels at the Christ Church Cathedral in Houston. Both have in memoriam notations for local members.

Stained Glass I

Five stained glass panels from the rear wall of the Christ Church Cathedral in Houston, Texas. The center panel is their commemoration of their WWI casualties, listed on the panel below the window. Note the red poppies and uniformed soldiers in the window itself.

The Cloisters

Beautiful garden, but also included because it shows the exterior of some of the stain glass panels shown elsewhere in this gallery.

Independence from a distance

A 10-second exposure of Independence Day fireworks in Houston a few miles away taken from the 26th Floor of the downtown Marriott Marquis Hotel.

Stained Glass II

A panel in the Christ Church Cathedral, reportedly made by Louis Comfort Tiffany.

Combining styles

This gentleman with a foiled SUP had the water off Oceano Dunes all to himself.

Carrion - part of a balanced breakfast

These turkey vultures were focussed on breakfast while I was walking in the dunes by Grover's Beach this particular morning.

That couple

There's always that one couple fighting tooth and nail while everyone around pretends not to notice. This time it's elephant seals causing drama at San Simeon.

Surveying the options

Surfer checking conditions before heading out off Hazard Canyon at the Montana de Oro State Park.

Just a splash

Poppies accent the park's signature color in Hazard Canyon at the Montana de Oro State Park.

Natural Bridge

Actually I have no idea how long lived the phenomenom will be, or how much weight it could support. Just an interesting pattern of erosion at Point Bichon at the southern edge of the Montana de Oro State Park.

Point Buchon erosion

Another shot of the unique erosion of the rocks at Point Buchon at the Montana de Oro State Park.

Onofre

Onofre was interested in everything but the Elephant Seals at this San Simeon vista.

Looking Around

Sea Lion taking a moment at the top of the wave to take in the sights at La Jolla Cove.

Original Waveriders (II)

Sea Lions enjoying a great morning at La Jolla Cove.

Dawn Patrol

Pelicans over La Jolla Cove.

Saturday Morning Ride

Sea Lion enjoying a solo ride at La Jolla Cove.

Original Waveriders (I)

Sea lions were having a great morning at La Jolla Cove.

Good Morning San Diego

San Diego Bay and the Coronado Bridge at sunrise from Coronado's Tidelands Park.

Yes, we have a Civic Organist.

San Diego's civic organist, Raul Prieto Ramirez, in action on the Spreckels Organ at Balboa Park earlier this afternoon. In case you didn't know, this 1915 gift to the city by Adolph and John D. Spreckels is the largest outdoor musical instrument in the world (yes, I read the program).

Bestest

Bestest doggie for his behavior at this afternoon's concert at the Spreckels Organ, or bestest leashholder for getting him the front row seat and taking the effort to keep him in shade? Or both?

Today's Greeter

This gent was welcoming visitors to Safari Park today. Glad we're putting our best face forward.

My mood captured

Mr. Warthog was mirroring my mood this morning quite well.

Ensemble Piece

What happens when a pair of Monarchs, a Rust-Tipped Page, and something blurry and yellow all land on the same plant?