It took forever to get them to line up like this.  SD Zoo Actually they are supposedly the sentries.  There is a "Cat Pit" about a half mile away.  They can hear and smell them.  Thats right, the rest of the herd runs away while these guys are getting eaten.  The cats can't really get at them but is it cruel to torment these poor guys? "I won't be coming back, son, tell your mother I love her, sniff, sniff..."  
Here are two wrong ways to feed giraffes.So wrong. , Aaaahhhh!
And finally a pic of my cousin. Won me a prize!
Does anyone know the true story of how the San Diego Wild Animal Park rail was named WGASA?

than it was in San Diego... yep...  when Mrs. SG goes for her early morning walk, Im sure she does a lot of California dreaming... and of ...Flip-Flops and Tank-Tops...  I hear her yelling something at me right now...  sounds like....   sunny beaches...  

2005 Wooo Hooo
2006 Point Loma Light

2007 Entry...
Black and White... Lobsta Shack

With apologies to those shivering in the ice belt today, and with the hope that these photos will bring a moment of warmth, here is what Laguna Beach looked like today, December 10th.

Late morning was sunny and clear, 65 degrees, so we decided to drive to Laguna Beach for lunch, stopping for an hour or so at the downtown Cedar Creek Inn.

From the curb in front of the Inn, these homes have sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean and downtown Laguna Beach.

Another popular dining spot along the beach front is the former Victor Hugo Inn and Art Gallery, now the Las Brisas.

View from Las Brisas looking south toward San Diego.

Last, another view looking south from Heisler Park.  

It's a good time to vacation in Laguna; most tourists are gone, school is in session, and the weather is fantastic.

MERRY CHRISTMAS ALL!

   

As mentioned in an earlier post, I was one of the many volunteer photographers who provided the images for this new book, a tribute to America's Veterans.

The book is out now, and I was very pleased to find three of my images  included in the book.  

On page 169, from Riverside National Cemetery in California, the Medal of Honor Memorial.

On two page spread, 128/129, in San Diego, CA, a view of the National Cemetery at Fort Rosecrans.

On two page spread, 172/173, another view in Fort Rosecrans with Pacific Ocean a backdrop to a long line of tombstones of many of America's Heros.  

My son, Dirkbag, was also published on pages x and 130.

All royalty proceeds are being donated by Mr. Ruck to the scholarship fund of the Freedom Alliance Foundation.

A couple of more pictures from San Diego. These were taken last Wednesday in Ocean Beach. The clouds in the sky are all smoke.

OB sunset 1  

OB sunset 2

OB Sunset 3

OB Sunset 4

The last was taken from the plane. Basically looking at Mission Beach with the ocean Beach Pier in the distance.

The following pictures were taken in San Diego last week. With all of the wild fires taking place the smoke presents some very unique opportunities. My prayers are with the families that have to endure these devastating fires.

The first was taken from Shelter Island looking towards San Diego in the morning.

The second is looking West towards the sunset taken the day before. It is a HDR composite in which the flag was processed to be brighter that what the background exposure would have allowed.

All comments and critiques are appreciated.

A new book will be on sale November 6 at all major book stores and at Amazon.com, honoring American Veterans.  My son, Dirk, and I are among the many volunteers who donated the photography for this book, and the author is donating all royalties to the Freedom Alliance Foundation, providing scholarships to children of military personnel killed in action, or who die while on active duty.

Here is one of the many photographs I submitted for the book, but I do not know which have been selected for publication.

From San Diego, located on Point Loma, Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery.  

A couple from Pacific Beach in San Diego. I hope this doesn't make SG homesick.

San Diego surfing

Fishing at Sunset

I'm taking the liberty of posting an old shot, previously shown, at Wilk's invitation.  One of my first postings, and  still one of my favorite shots, San Diego as seen from Coronodo Island, on a beautiful morning as a rain storm cleared.

Actually, it's a two image stitch.  

Only love
Can make it rain
The way the beach is kissed by the sea
Only love
Can make it rain
Like the sweat of lovers
Laying in the fields.

Love, Reign o'er me
Love, Reign o'er me, rain on me

Only love
Can bring the rain
That makes you yearn to the sky
Only love
Can bring the rain
That falls like tears from on high

Love Reign O'er me
...P.Townsend

Rain ON Me Rainonme

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

JustSomeMiscellaneousCrapI Saw

Don't Even Ask

Along the San Diego Convention Center Path     Canon 20D Canon 70-200 4.0 L

Coming this Summer...
Wednesday, Mission Beach, San Diego, CA

S U M M E R S H E R E

To all our Friends in the Oil Business
FFFFFFF UUUUUUUUUU

In 1945 a photograph taken I New York City captured the emotions of all Americans...  Today a 40' rendition adorns the the Harbour in Downtown San Diego ..  I hope I did it justice...

The Kiss  

As most of you are aware, I spend a lot of time at our San Diego Zoo... while there the other day trying to get some pictures for the current challenge I blew off a number of shots of the Gorilla's hoping to get one just to use for this post...  so when I saw this one I immediately thought of our very owne LoHowe and what it would be like to see him...
Rolling on the grass laughing his hairy ass off...  yep...

There have been some pictures that I wanted to share, but didn't get around to it.

Back in December my Christmas plans of flying into Denver got delayed and I spent Christmas Eve in San Diego instead.

My aunt had her house decorated with palm trees and christmas lights, but this fireplace stocking holder kept grabbing my attention:

Believe
My Favorite.

Both of these were taken with the canon 50mm f/1.8 - I was still getting used to it.

Here's a shot I took this past weekend at Rosecranes National Cemetery, located on Point Loma in San Diego.  I don't normally do to much editing as far as colors are concerned but I liked the feeling of this one in sepia.

Fort Rosecranes National Cemetery

With blue skys and temps in the 70's, I had to get out and take some pictures.  Wasn't sure where I was headed when I started out this morning but I ended up at Cabrillo National Monument, Point Loma in San Diego.  Awesome Place!

Early Departure
Spiral Down
Room with a View
Old Point Loma Lighthouse
Whale Outlook
Roped Off
Feathered Friend

I happened upon one of my new favorite places today...La Jolla Cove, located just north of San Diego.  I got there right about noon so the light wasn't great for landscape shots but I was able to catch some of the area locals.  I'll be heading back there for sure.

0107 6223

0107 6235

0107 6241

Went to the San Diego Zoo a couple of weeks ago.  Didn't get much - but I liked the one of this Egret.

Youth rugby is just starting to catch on here in San Diego.  One thing's for certain -- it sure is fun to photograph.
Rugby1
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