S. F. Art Institute

Yesterday I went to the venerable San Francisco Art Institute on Chestnut Street. One of my objectives was to revisit Diego Rivera's large fresco, painted April - June 1931. Making of a Fresco Showing the Building of a City is one of three murals painted by the master in San Francisco. It is well worth a visit to the Art Institute.

 

Probably not quite as well known is the handiwork of a humble electrician. This caught my attention and I wonder if he/she was caught up in the spirit of the school, or was merely doing the wiring in the most efficient manner. We may never find out. Regardless, I was really impressed.

Flamingo

Always on the lookout for birds, I spotted this Flamingo today in, of all places, San Francisco's Mission District. To be exact, it was on Balmy Street, a street famous for its beautiful murals.

 

Flamingoes feed on brine shrimp and this causes the pink coloring.

 

And, if you read your Alice in Wonderland, you will know that Alice had a hard time managing her flamingo.,

 

Mission District

Here's another picture from my recent visit to San Francisco's Mission District. It shows the famous Women's Building Mural, MaestraPeace.

 

The mural is the culmination of a multi-cultural, multi-generation collaboration of seven women artists and many helpers. It is meant to serve as a visual testament to the courageous contributions of women through time and around the world.

 

In the days to come I may include more pictures of Mission murals in my Daily E-mails. They are really unique and it is a shame that most Bay Area residents live in ignorance of this beautiful, colorful treasure, created by members of our Latino community

Spiderweb

I think that I shall never tire of taking pictures of spider-webs. I stand in awe of what these creatures create, and will never quite comprehend how they do it. I took today's picture this morning in Point Reyes, and you can still see moisture from the early morning fog on the web.

Mustard

Mustard field at the Las Gallinas Sanitary District Ponds this morning.

 

 

 

Spiritual Healer

 

Good Morning ~

 

Sipping my coffee outside the wonderful Tartine Bakery in San Francisco's Mission the other day, I encountered the famous, intuitive spiritual healer shown on my attachment. He told me that he never posed, but would allow me to take his picture. Which was fine with me. I was really impressed! 19,000 healings! That's a lot! Assuming that he has been doing it for ten years (3,650 days), it comes to more than five healings per day. Wow! San Francisco has so much to offer.

Cheers,

 

Hans

John the Baptist

Yesterday at the Legion of Honor Museum. An artist painting only the head of Auguste Rodin's statue of John the Baptist Preaching (1878). I really liked the left-handed artist's feet-astride stance! He painted a little, then stepped back a few feet for a larger perspective, only to return to the same position.

 

San Francisco's Victorians

San Francisco's Victorians have been photographed millions of times. Yet, I couldn't help but succumb to the temptation! If you are not familiar with these houses - thousands were built in this style between 1850 and 1900. Sadly, many were lost in the fire that followed the devastating 1906 earthquake. Fortunately many remained. I took my picture a few days ago, in the famous Haight-Ashbury neighborhood.

S.F. Mission District Chic

Hi ~

 

This is San Francisco Mission District Chic. These lovely young ladies kindly consented to pose for me yesterday. Their attire took me right back to the Sixties. And once again I was thrilled by the variety of cultures one can find in the Bay Area.

 

Ciao,

 

Hans

After Sunday Services

Hi ~

 

I took this picture at the Mission San Rafael Arcangel after Sunday services last week. The soul having been nourished, it was now time for corn-on-the-cob, popsicles, and other goodies from the vendors outside the church!

 

Ciao,

 

Hans.

Section 25

A cutout of an Asiana Airlines flight attendant adorns the entrance of #30 Camp Street in San Francisco's Mission District. What she is doing there is a mystery. The yellow sign behind her head reads in part:

 

8/8/07

NO TRESSPASSING

San Francisco Municipal Code Section 25 provides no person shall

willfully remain upon any private property or business premises after

being notified to leave by the owner. A violation of section 25 is an

infraction. A second violation within 24 hours is a misdemeanor.

 

Them's is strong words! No doubt some kind of landlord - tenant issue. But there is still no explanation for the presence of the young lady. We need Guy Noir (private eye on the Garrison Keeler show).

 

Life is full of puzzles.

Sausalito

Hi ~

 

Sausalito seagulls impatiently waiting for the San Francisco ferry.

 

I was in Sausalito this morning to shoot the start of the AMGEN Tour of San Francisco bicycle race.

 

Ciao,

 

Hans

Mt Tam w Bob

Hi ~

 

A wonderful morning up on Mount Tamalpais. From Rock Springs, Bob and I hiked up to O'Rourke's Bench with the beautiful 1927 plaque, which bears the inscription "Give me these hills and the friends I love. I ask no other heaven". The words reflect the way I felt. With my picture I hope to share my experience.

Ciao,

 

Hans

 

San Rafael Pigeons

Hi ~

 

Let me preface this by stating that I like pigeons.

 

I have noticed a group of pigeons roosting on top of the steeple of the Mission San Rafael Arcangel. Suddenly they all take off simultaneously and swarm around the neighborhood. Finally they return to the steeple. The other day I spent a couple of hours observing their behavior and taking pictures. Here's one of them. I can't help but wonder what their behavior is all about.

 

Ciao,

 

Hans

02-14-08 Shadow*

Hi ~

 

Call it Artsy-Fartsy, call it "Shadow", or be my guest and call it what you will. I took the picture yesterday.

 

Ciao,

 

Hans

 

Shadows and Valentine's Day

Hi -

Happy Valentine's Day to All!

Love,

Hans

Early Morning in Point Reyes

Bon Jour ~

 

Early yesterday morning at the Bear Valley trailhead in Point Reyes National Seashore.

 

Au revoir,

 

Hans