Sep 20 2011
Needing to kill some time before a presentation later this evening in Balboa Park, I spent a couple of hours at the San Diego Natural History Museum photographing more exhibits, watching two 3D movies and telling a cute girl who works there that she had really pretty eyes. The two 3D movies, “Dinosaurs 3D: Giants …
Sep 20 2011
Spent a few hours at the San Diego Zoo with my friend, Mary, and her daughter, Diana. Before they got there I walked around by myself listening to my iPod and had fantastic luck taking pictures of the Malayan Tiger cubs as well as Adhama, the River Hippo calf. We had a really good lunch …
Sep 19 2011
Since my mom and I, already being at Balboa Park, were right next door to the Zoo, I took her in to see the new Panda Trek entrance to the Giant Panda exhibit. After picking up an espresso for her and hot chocolate for me, we walked down through the Owens Aviary on our way …
Sep 19 2011
Took my mom down to Balboa Park to show her two giant Calotropis Gigantea (Crown plants) just outside of the Botanical Building. Learned about this plant from one of the Director of Entomology during Insect Mania Day at the Natural History Museum. It attracts Monarch Butterflies and Ladybugs at least as well as our milkweeds …
Sep 17 2011
After both the Plaza de Panama Project tour and the Veterans Museum, I walked over to spend about an hour at the San Diego Zoo. After taking pictures of stilt walkers, I sat down at the orangutans and siamangs, but started focusing more on the human couples that came through. I started wondering what was …
Sep 17 2011
Followed up my Plaza de Panama Project tour by visiting the Veterans Museum and Memorial Center, also in Balboa Park. They were getting ready for an afternoon function and told me I have about half an hour to walk around and check out the displays. Got taken on a personal tour by docent Terry Truitt …
Sep 17 2011
Attended what was supposed to be an hour long walking tour starting at the Museum of Man in Balboa Park, but which turned into a two and a half hour tour, of the Plaza de Panama Project proposed redevelopment of certain areas of Balboa Park before the centennial celebration in 2015. It was led by four …
Sep 16 2011
Always loved this 1913 oil painting by A.J. Roberts who worked for the San Diego Decorating Company. It was done as a promotional piece for the 1915 Panama-California Exposition in what was later to become Balboa Park. The description reads, “…depicts proposed Exposition grounds with buildings, lake and gondolas.” Strange to see the river/lake that …
Sep 15 2011
Spent a few hours at the San Diego Zoo with Heather, starting with her seeing the recently born giraffe calf for the first time. Also got to pet and feed some very old Galapagos tortoises. Since we were at the zoo, we talked biology while riding the Skyfari. Had lunch at Safari Kitchen. ( z …
Sep 15 2011
While waiting to meet my friend Heather at the Zoo, I walked over to the Veterans War Memorial Building adjacent to the Zoo parking lot. I’d seen it many times but never went inside. I was actually surprised to find it open since it seemed like no one was there. Heard a couple of people …
Sep 11 2011
Went for an afternoon walk with the Tapias from Robb Field in Ocean Beach to the mouth of the San Diego River. So many happy dogs jumping, running and playing in the shallow seawater, including Stitch who never seemed to tire of chasing his soggy green tennis ball. ( w a l k i e …
Sep 05 2011
Spent a few hours over at the San Diego Natural History Museum in Balboa Park for Insect Mania Family Day. Watched a presentation (geared mainly toward little children, but I attended anyway) by Dr. Mike Wall, Curator of the Entomology Department, and chatted with both field entomologist, Jim Berrian, who specializes in spiders and who I’ve contacted …
Sep 04 2011
Was at the San Diego Zoo for most of the day with Fabi, Stephanie, Alex, Cathy and Nathan. The visit was made all the more special when my friend Rick, the Zoo’s Ambassador, took us to a backstage presentation area and gave us a personal educational show with Priscilla, the fifteen-year old porcupine. We even …
Sep 01 2011
Went to the San Diego Zoo for about an hour with my mom this morning to find a two-day old baby giraffe walking around with the other giraffes. Really disappointed that I missed yet another giraffe birth (the third one I’ve missed by at least one day) but so thrilled that I still got to …
Aug 28 2011
Fun bike ride today with Sylvia, Rodrigo, Lilo and Stitch along Mission Bay Park starting from Rose Marie Starns South Shores Park heading north. We rode eight miles total and stopped on the return trip for a picnic of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches that Sylvia made along with some barbecue Pringles and various kinds …
