Old Town

Old Town, San Diego

Nestled in the heart of San Diego is the Old Town Historic Park. It is the site of the oldest permanent European settlement in California.  (Of course, the native Kumeyaay peoples had already been there for 10,000 years.) The first Spanish mission was built here next to the Spanish fort Presidio.  Today it is a mixture of shopping, restored and historic buildings, and restaurants. We maintained our Covid conventions and did not go into the historic buildings. But it is pleasant to walk around and hear music wafting and kids having fun.  We found a restaurant outside the park with some very good mole dishes and outside dining.  Muy bueno.    Flickr

Sketch of the Day:  Yellow Bells

 

If the Bill Fits

 

Willet (I think)

The long-billed shore birds are so fast, of such similar size and color, and have such similar behaviors that I have trouble telling them apart.  The main distinguishing sign for me is the shape of the bill.  All have long bills for feeding deep into the shore mud.  Some bills curve down, some up, some are straight. I've learned that some of them can dig down to the end of the beak and then open only the end of the bill to catch and eat worms, crabs and more.  On our walk today I found and photographed the whimbrel, willet, and godwit.  See if you can notice any difference at Flickr.

Sketch of the Day:  Whimbrel

Spring's A Comin'

 

California Brown Anole

There are signs of spring all around here.  Snails, beetles, rabbits, lizards are all out and about.  The bushes and grasses are greening up and the flowers budding.  

California ended its indoor mask mandate Feb 16 for vaccinated people. It's recommended to maintain masks indoors when the risk of transmission is high.  We continue to wear masks indoors and to only dine outdoors and notice that the majority of people do the same.  

Sketch of the Day:  California Brown Anole

Bilbao Redux

 

Selfie in the Balboa Park Rose Garden

Returning to Balboa Park we discovered more beauty in the desert and rose gardens.  The desert garden was in its blooming period and just fascinating. It is 2.5 acres and contains more than 1,300 plants from around the world. The rose garden was not yet in bloom. It must be eye and nose candy when it is with some 1,600 bushes.  Tonight we had another awesome sunset.  It and identified areas of Balboa Park can be seen at Flickr.

Sketch o the Day: Dragon Blood Tree

Wherein We See Jack Rabbits

 

Vulture

I have absolutely nothing exciting to report except that we saw 2 Jack Rabbits in the estuary.  They were much too fast for me to photograph, though.  Also a bird of prey was sighted.  A wild guess is it was a Northern Harrier based on its behavior of hovering in flight for minutes. Highlight of the day was a great sunset of which way too many can be seen at Flickr.

Sketch of the Day: Jack Rabbit

Won't You Be Mine

 

Mt. San Miguel across the Tijuana Estuary

It was the coldest and rainiest day yet.  Mt. San Miguel above looks like a giant cloud in the distance.  It is a part of the Leguna mountain range.  One of the neat things about the geography here is the flat coastal beaches on one side and the mountain ranges on the other. 

Our Valentine celebration consisted of driving into Chula Vista for tacos at Taco el Gordo.  This place has been recommended by a few people as having the best Mexican cuisine.  But, we were disappointed.  We also had to wait about 30 minutes in a drive through line which mislead us into thinking they would be the best tacos around.

Today on our estuary walk we some new ducks, the American Wigeon.  A blurry picture is at Flickr. 

Sketch of the Day:  American Wigeon

Super......Day of Rest

 

Lola and Loki Imperial Beach

It was a day of rest spent shopping for a sunset visit from Kathy, Lola and Loki the Alaskan Husky.  We had a nice visit over a charcuterie board, wished Kathy a bon voyage as she prepares to leave for France, and made plans to see Lola and Loki again.  The two blurry figures pictured on the beach photo above are Lola and Loki having a little fun before leaving for San Diego.  

Operculums

 

Operculum

Wayne likes to set goals that make an activity or experience more interesting. His goal on our beach walks is to find the operculum. The operculum is the hinge or lid of the wavy tturban sea shell that closes when the shell is out of water.  Average actual size is about 1-1.5 inches.  Earlier we mistakenly thought the turban shell was called a top shell.  They are the most abundant snail species. The Mexicans harvest them for sale.  

Visit Flickr for many photos of the Godwit and sea reflections for possible future paintings.  LOL

Sketch of the Day:  Operculum

Godwits

 

Godwits on South Beach

Everyday is pretty much routine with us: daily walks, sunset watches, shopping for food.  I do a little drawing each day.  Many of the photos I take are in consideration of future paintings and will be repetitive.  I'm trying to learn to identify shore birds. The long billed shore birds are difficult to distinguish one from the other.  In profile the bill is the give away.  The godwit pictured here has a straight bill. They forage along the edge of the surf by probing that bill into the sand sometimes submerging their head. Marbled Godwits eat aquatic invertebrates, leeches, small fish and more. Just a few photos at Flickr

Sketch of the Day: Marbled Godwid

Communing with Bikers

 

Ice Plant also known as Pigface along the San Diego Bay

The Silver Strand Bike Path is 18.7 miles from Coronado Island to Imperial Beach.   We only walked 3 of those miles that abutted the San Diego Bay.  We came upon everyone from inline skaters and walkers to speedy bikers.  It was very warm today inspiring shorts and t-shirts on the deck for the sunset.  See our journey and more at Flickr.

Sketch of the Day:  Wayne on the Silver Strand Bike Path

Hola Mexico!

 

Selfie on the Mexican/USA Border

No, I do not have the mumps.  I blame the iPhone for making me appear my age.  Also, yes, we are at the border and walked up to the wall.  We did not try to scale it. Visible beyond the wall are people enjoying the beach and others high on the hill visiting with one another.  No one seems interested in scaling the wall.  There is a bull ring and a light house, too.  To get here we drove to the far side of the Tijuana Reserve for our hike.  On the way are several horse stables.  Later on the trails was a lot of evidence the horses had been out.  There are signs everywhere warning of flooding.  And, the low lying areas have salt deposits where flooding did occur.  Other signs warn of sewage in the water within the reserve and in the ocean.  We're assuming this is coming from Mexico.  See our little adventure at Flickr.

Educating Ourselves

California Buckwheat 

We are a bit fascinated and very interested in the local fauna and flora.  Species unknown to us and not seen where we live are all around.  For example, this California buckwheat led me to discover that buckwheat is NOT a member of the grass family, not related to cereal or wheat.  It is related to the sorrel and rhubarb family.  Who woulda thunk?  The Estuary is filled with such variety as this.  To see flora we collected today, the sighting of an Anna's Hummingbird, and a great sunset, please visit Flickr.

Sketch of the Day: Desert Starvine

 

Mas de la Misma

 

Wayne at the Tijuana River Mouth

Yes, more of the same.  This photo offers a pretty clear picture of the border wall and Tijuana beyond.  The tide was lower today allowing us closer access.  The border fencing extends about 300' into the Pacific,  I've wondered why people don't just swim around this for US entry.  They do.  But, the currents are very strong due to the wall's extension, and most swimmers can't manage this.  More crossings have been attempted since the pandemic began.  This is the heaviest patrolled portion of the 1900 mile fence.  At least 2 helicopters are patrolling constantly.  Photos are at Flickr.

Sketch of the Day: Imperial Beach Sunset with Cruise Ship

Balboa Park

 

Balboa Park

We drove into San Diego and Balboa Park today to hear the weekly free concert on the Spreckles Organ, the largest outdoor organ in the world. Bach, The Sound of Music, Listz and Mussorgsky were the hour's offerings.  The organ and its outdoor pavilion were financed by the Spreckles brothers whose fortune came from sugar.  The day was beautifully sunny and warm.  People swarmed everywhere throughout the park where food, crafts, and entertainers abounded.  What a wonderful spot.  A little video of the Bach can be heard here.

Sketch of the Day: Masked Up in Balboa Park

Un Dia de Nada

 

Imperial Beach Sunset

We drove over to Chula Vista looking for recommended tacos.  Instead, we shopped at a Whole Foods and bought their ready made burritos.  They were quite good.  We did take a short 2 mile walk into the estuary where once again we met up with birders.  They were very excited to share their binoculars so that we could see the Ridgeway Rail they spotted. 

It was warm enough at twilight to sit on the deck and gawk at the sunset.  There were no clouds which gives notice to the tangerine colored sky.  All those moments can be seen at Flickr.

Sketch of the Day: Ridgeway Rail

Maple Canyon

 

Maple Canyon, San Diego

We met Kathy this afternoon to hike Maple Canyon with her.  It sits in the city proper but one would never know that.  The hills are steep and covered with blooming jade plants.  Only the occasional house is visible.  

Jade densely covering the cliffs of the canyon.

At the end of the canyon trail, we came out onto city streets, walked a few blocks and crossed Arroyo Canyon onto the historical Spruce St suspension bridge.  From there was the occasional glimpse of the beautiful setting sun and aircraft landing so close we could seemingly touch them.  

Spruce St Suspension Bridge

Following our walk, we went to Kathy's for dinner. I was in charge of baking the Kathy's home made pita bread on the grill.  I'm definitely going to try this at home.  We were joined by friends of Kathy's and Lola.  Ribs and salad rounded out the pita and humus.  We braved the chilly night dining al fresco.  No other pictures today.  

Sketch of the Day: Jade, Maple Canyon

Walking to Coronado Island (Almost)

 

Wayne on Silver Strand Beach

Our walk was later in the day because the condo owner and her mother asked if an appraiser could come to the condo.  We wanted to be there to meet her and to monitor the activity.  They are both realtors who bought this place about a year and a half ago.  As I suspected there were major renovations done with much improvement.  They were helpful with restaurant suggestions. 

Today we walked north toward Coronado Island along Silver Beach, which was nearly deserted but beautiful.  The photos do not capture the true silver of the water.  We found dozens of sand dollars and more top shells.  On our return we stopped at Mike Hess Brewing to have an early dinner of tacos.  More photos at Flickr.

Sketch of the Day: Top Shell, graphite

Making Acquaintances

 

Tijuana River along the McCoy Trail, Tijuana Estuary

Birders are the friendliest people.  They love to share their knowledge and some will give you advise on where to go birding.  We met one such woman today at the McCoy trail in the Estuary.  You know a birder by the cannon size camera lens they carry and the telescope binoculars hanging from their necks.  So when we sat down at the end of the trail and spotted a flock of birds, I didn't hesitate to ask this nearby woman with all the birding accoutrements what they were.  Therein began a 15 minute discussion of what, where, when and how to find more birds.  She even told me the names of the ospreys that were nesting at the edge of the estuary, Lucy and Desi, and their offspring, Little Ricky, Ethel, Fred, etc.  But the best information she gave was that our beloved Street Tacos were still around.  They had moved across the street to incorporate with Mike Hess Brewing Co.

The Estuary walk was short today because we wanted to also walk to the Imperial Beach Pier and NOW to Mike Hess Brewing.  Even though we had eaten lunch, we forced  down a fish taco.  And, yes, it was the same succulent taco of old.  We will definitely come back for more.  There is great outdoor seating with fire pits.  

Mike Hess Brewing

After lunch #2 we walked down the pier.  It is the southernmost pier in the entire state of California. There is a seafood restaurant at the end and people fishing for bait along the walkway.  Sardines seemed to be the catch. More photos at Flickr. 

Walking to Mexico (Almost)

 

Wayne walking toward Mexico

Today our walk was along the beach toward Mexico.  The Tijuana River marks the end of our ability to walk south.  Beyond the river is the Tijuana River Valley with areas one can reach by car.  We will explore this later.  The weather here is still a bit cold, 60s, and made for a brisk walk.  Sea shells are practically non-existent along the beach.  Many plovers and willets were feeding along the surf's edge.  And, the helicopters were circling above.  LOL pictures at Flickr.

More of the Same

 

Kiwanis Community Gardens

Sitting along the east side of the Tijuana Estuary are a row of homes.  Between them and the estuary are areas set aside for community gardening sponsored by the Kiwanis.  These little areas have chickens, ducks, and plants.  The poor chickens seem to be housed in very small coops.  Today one gardener was watering plants and chatted up with us.  He seems typical of folk here, friendly, open and happy.  We walked deeper into the estuary today going beyond the naval base but not completing the perimeter.  Pictures at Flickr.

                    Sketch of the day:  The Wild Radish, found throughout California.