Dinosaurs at the Zoo

My recent visit to a zoo seems more like Jurassic Park with its dinosaur exhibit.
One of them had very sharp teeth and did not look friendly so I am glad they are not real...
- Karen

Skywatch Friday - Get the Point

More sunny days ahead in San Francisco to visit this 60 ft. outdoor sculpture by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen called "Cupid's Span".
Different angles of the bow & arrow artwork give you a different perspective and background.
You can see a few people at the base of the sculpture to give you an idea how huge it is.
I wrote about this sculpture a few years ago, but I could not resist having another post about it when I visited the city recently.

Happy Skywatch Friday!
- Karen

Wordless Wednesday - Chimpanzees

Happy Wordless Wednesday!
Visit other participants at Wordless Wednesday Blogspot,
Wordless Wednesday Bloggers, and
Art of Retro Collage.
- Karen

Skywatch Friday - Field of Sunshine

It has been quite warm in the San Francisco Bay Area recently and wildflowers are already sprouting in a nearby field.
Although it was cloudy overhead, the field was shining brightly.
Visit participants in Skywatch Friday!
- Karen

Wordless Wednesday - Lounge Around Wallaroo

Happy Wordless Wednesday!
Visit other participants at Wordless Wednesday Blogspot,
Wordless Wednesday Bloggers, and
Art of Retro Collage.
- Karen

Grizzly Bear Sightings

After almost a 5 year hiatus from visiting the San Francisco Zoo, I made a trip up there yesterday with another meetup group.
By the time we arrived to the Grizzly Bear area for feeding time, it was already too crowded with people. However, I was able to get this shot behind a fence with the bear in the water looking for food which consisted of what looked like carrots, lettuces, and apples.

After the crowds got bored, I was able to maneuver over to the front to see him clearly, but still it was behind a glass wall.

I did not have any problems taking a picture of this bear, I wonder why.

In any case, the zoo closes at 4pm during the winter season so we did not get to see everything, but I thoroughly enjoyed watching the animals.
I decided to pay for a 1-year membership so I can visit again anytime during the year. It should pay for itself after the 2nd visit. Good deal and for a good cause to help with the upkeep of the zoo.
Look for more animal pictures in the future.
- Karen

Skywatch Friday - Traipsing in the Clouds

Last Saturday morning, I hiked my favorite local park under gray and overcast skies. After a heart pumping climb up the hill, you can see the rest if the park below just beyond the solitary weather-scarred bench.

Passed the bench is another hill I climbed called the Red Hills Trail.

To the left, as far as the eyes can see are the old salt ponds that began in the early 1900's by The California Salt Company.
Eventually it was sold to the government where it was converted to a wildlife refuge.

Many ponds at the lower elevations are filled with wildlife like this one.

Visit other participants on Skywatch Friday!
- Karen

Wordless Wednesday - Veterans Memorial

Happy Wordless Wednesday!
Visit other participants at Wordless Wednesday Blogspot,
Wordless Wednesday Bloggers, and
Art of Retro Collage.
- Karen

Rincon Center Interior

Inside San Francisco's former U.S. Post Office are 27 murals by Anton Refregier from the 1940's that depict the history of California.

By each group of paintings is a description of each mural.

There is also a plaque dedicated to former U.S. Postal employees who have served in the military.

The former post office windows are still there and this one displays eyeglasses from an optometric business which has opened inside.

Next to the old postal office is the annex developed in the 1980's adding shops, business offices including a new post office, apartments, and this atrium restaurant.
I have never been here before and will have to bring friends and family back to try out this restaurant next time.
It is a little hard to tell, but at the center of the annex is a 85 feet (26m) waterfall sculpture by Doug Hollis called "Rain Column" where 55 gallons of water falls every minute from the ceiling.

I was there for a little over an hour and each child who walked by wanted to touch the water like this one in the photo.
- Karen