The Coronado Sandman

Driving along First Street this morning I saw the Sandman approaching, and whipped out my camera to get a picture.

The Sandman is a talented local artist who creates impressive works of art out of sand.  Yep, just sand.  They blow away quickly, so you have to appreciate them in the moment as they disappear in a day or two.

The Sandman is a dapper dresser as you can see, riding his bike through the streets of Coronado on his fully equipped bike.  

I have to explain the blurry photo - there's a lot of motion going on here - Sandman was in motion, I was driving, and my arm was moving trying to turn on the camera and take the photo before the opportunity passed.  Thank goodness for my trusty Canon G11!

A Recumbent Tricycle

You know I love bicycles, but I've never ridden one of these hybrids.  It's called a recumbent tricycle, and I see them every so often around Coronado.

This good natured man let me photograph him and his trike today in the Coronado Cays.

Centennial Park with San Diego Skyline

I hope your not getting tired of the San Diego skyline, but here's a view I don't think I've shown you before.  Driving home to make dinner tonight, I noticed the setting sun reflected a warm golden glow on the downtown San Diego skyscrapers, and had to have a picture.

This photo was shot from the sidewalk at First Street and Orange Avenue.  You can see the layout of Centennial Park with the original Coronado Ferry Boat Ticket Booth on the right.

No wonder so many people choose to be married here at the water's edge. 

Spring Flower In Bloom

This spring poppy caught my eye yesterday outside Calypso Cafe in the Coronado Cays.  Luckily I had my camera with me since our son had a soccer game at the Cays.

The Calypso Cafe is a fairly new, and oh so good.  They have a breakfast, lunch and dinner menu, along with a mellow views of the canal.  It's located next to the Coronado Cays Yacht Club, for those of you who sail. 

Oh, and there are lovely potted flowers and patio tables on the back deck that make this a prime spot to sit back and relax.

Orange Avenue After Dark

After a relaxing dinner at Tent City restaurant last night I went looking around Orange Avenue for a bit of "after-dark color".

Moo Time was brilliant with it's neon lights and steady after-dinner business.  Doesn't it look like James Dean could stroll by any minute?

The next two photos are of Tent City and their outdoor grill behind the restaurant.  The resident griller was kind enough to stop and let me take his picture.

Last is the ever-present mermaid manikin in the window of Kippy's.  She's always there, just accessorized differently for each season.  She's part of the fabric of Coronado.

Morning At The Beach

Mornings can be a little gray at the beach, but luckily there are always walkers, joggers and beach combers around to liven things up!

 Point Loma provides a constant and recognizable backdrop.

Endless Sun

This is the result of some camera experimentation yesterday at Silver Strand State Beach, across from the Coronado Cays.

Shooting a photo into the sun is always tricky, but I kind of like the blown-out effect in this situation.

I got the acid kool-aid test effect by shooting at 1/1000 shutter speed, f/8, ISO 400 with a custom white balance.