Howling Point

First Heat Starts

The one-mile swim went off in three heats. This was the race start for the first heat.

Third heat

This was the start of the third heat of the one-mile race.

Ray!

Lining up for the third heat on the one-mile swim.

Early finisher

I think this was the second swimming to finish overall (didn't get a clear shot of the first swimmer).

Pelican in flight

With the racers swimming about 25-30 minutes, and the turn point half a mile off shore, I had to watch something else for a while and the swooping pelican obliged.

A Finisher!

Ray finished in about 25 minutes, and should be damn proud of that.

Baby Rhino

Shot from the tram at Safari Park, I believe this is a young Northern White Rhino

Wattled Jacana chick

This young bird was one of a few recently hatched and still under the watchful eye of their parent at the Zoo's Hummingbird Habitat Habitat this morning. Assuming those talons could really mess someone up if they weren't on a bird four-inches tall.

Wattled Jacana (jacana jacana)

This recent parent was keeping a close eye on a group of three chicks (separate photo) at the Zoo's Hummingbird Habitat this morning.

Synchronized Yawns

Mother and pup seals on the beach at the Children's Pool getting their naps in sync.

Exiting the water

Mother and pup seals exiting after a morning swim at the Children's Pool.

Flipper Steps on the Sand

When you see only one set of flipper steps on the sand, it means you found a quiet place on the beach to nap.

Rock'n Roll

Rose seen on a morning walk between January rain storms at the Balboa Park Rose Garden.

Teeny Bopper and Teenier Bopper

Teeny Bopper rose and bud seen on a morning walk between January rain storms at the Balboa Park Rose Garden.

Gold Strike

Rose seen on a morning walk between January rain storms at the Balboa Park Rose Garden.

Siberian Reindeer

Caught Santa's helper resting up before the big day. Wondering if anyone ever wrote a variation on the story where instead of coal the bad kids got skewered by this rack of antlers.

Sloth Bear

My spirit animal.

Squirrel

One of the zoo's free range residents, this guy was mocking the visitors near the Eagle Walk aviary.

Playing With Contrast

Bright sun breaking through during the winter storm still visible in the sky.

Stormy Day

Bright sun broke through around me, but the winter storm was still on the horizon.

Early morning wait

Racers waiting to descend the stairs to the Cove for the 8:45 heats.

Best view in the house

The locals always know where the best seats are.

Safety First

The first heat proceeding under the watchful eyes of San Diego's Lifeguards.

Crowds

I tend to get cranky when I have to share a lane. This kind of crowding would drive me nuts.

Race start

Entering the water for the 10:00 am heats.

Breathing

Swimming near the front of the pack on the outbound leg.

Victory

On the rocks after completing the one-mile swim.

Entering the Cove

Racers entering the cove for the 8:45 heats.

Lifeguard On Duty

'Nuf said.

Ray entering

*thunderous applause* Ray entering the cove for the 10:00 am heats

Not how this was supposed to go

Start for two of the three boats at the morning Dory Boat Race. Both lost their crews and one flipped. Note the capsized white boat (Eileen) under the sitting competitor on the left of the image. That boat, the Eileen did go on to finish the event.

Dory racers

This boat was the one out of three that started without losing its crew, and went on to win the morning event.

Crew of the Eileen

Still rowing hard despite having been tossed twice and suffered a capsized boat on the start. They went on to grab second place in the tumultuous event in heavy surf.

Open-water finishers

Sprinting for rankings at the end of the Surf Race event.

Surf Race finish

Finishers at the open-water swim race portion of the lifeguard competition.

Race start

"Victims" heading out at the start of the men's Rescue Relay.

Home stretch

Racers in the Surf Ski race at the final turn before heading to the beach.

Save me

One of the competing lifeguards between events.

Surf Ski racer

Racer at the turn shot from the pier.

Tough day

It was a tough day for many of the competitors with big surf adding to the challenges.

Heading to the finish line

Finisher in the men's Surf Race

Moonset over Black Rock Nature Center

Moon setting during an early hike on the Hi-View Trail at the Black Rock Nature Center at the west side of the park.

Hemingway

This is part of a rock climbing / bouldering area of the park known as Hemingway. Various signs pointing to different specific features, including Banana Cracks and Maggies Farm.

Banana Cracks

This is a rock climbing point named Banana Cracks in the Hemingway area of the park.

Nature Finds A Way

When you want that shady forest experience but you're in Joshua Tree? This is how nature finds a way. Taken in the Hemingway climbing area.

Rocks

Nothing more to say. Taken on the Split Rock Trail.

Hidden Mickey?

The fact that I immediately started trying to count hidden Mickeys says I've been spending too much time at that other park. Taken on the Split Rock Trail.