La rue n'est pas doux, the street is not kind

La rue n'est pas doux, the street is not kind, originally uploaded by big_pixel_pusher.

I had worked a very long day and was heading for some dinner and then back to my hotel room for some much needed sleep. I was waiting for the light to change so I could walk into San Francisco's ferry building when I spotted good old no. 1007 heading my way. I very rapidly setup my tripod and mounted the camera. By the time I had attached my off camera shutter release and took 5 of my 10 shots she was moving out of the frame. So what you see here is a single shot psuedo HDR, something I rarely ever do.

The long and winding road

The long and winding road, originally uploaded by big_pixel_pusher.

The architecture of the multi-level rainforest exihibit inside the California Academy of Science Museum has a lot of non-linear shapes and even curving elevated pathways. If it wasn't so hot in there I'd take photos of it for hours.

Port of San Francisco

Port of San Francisco, originally uploaded by big_pixel_pusher.

I'll be the first to admit this isn't my best work but I loved the view. The problem was that the wind was blowing so hard off the bay it was literally shaking my tripod even though I had hung my backpack from the center column to weigh it down. Chicago the windy city? Try San Francisco!

Love knows nothing of rank or river bank

Love knows nothing of rank or river bank, originally uploaded by big_pixel_pusher.

The miracle of technology! Kathy and I decided to stop at Muir Woods on our drive up to San Francisco. I programmed our GPS to take us to the National Park and it easily directed us there. The problem was finding parking. We had almost given up when Kathy decided to drive through the parking lot one more time and we found someone pulling out of a space just across from the park entrance. Score! Anyway it was fun walking around and taking photos of the big redwood trees and the streams that flow through the park.

San Francisco's Historic Streetcar Service

San Francisco's Historic Streetcar Service, originally uploaded by big_pixel_pusher.

San Francisco's F line street cars are amazing. All manner of Vintage street cars, discarded by other cities have been restored and now run from Fishermans Wharf to the Castro district, mainly along Market Street. The next time you are in the city, I highly recommend you ride one. Early mornings are best. They get very crowded in the afternoon.

Human Sized Hamster Ball

Human Size Hamster Ball, originally uploaded by big_pixel_pusher.

The California Academy of Sciences features a 90 foot diameter glass dome in which a four story rain forest exihibit has been placed. It was nice and hot in there probably due to simulated global warming or something. All I know is my lens fogged over right away!

Thunder Lizard

Thunder Lizard, originally uploaded by big_pixel_pusher.

The newly remodeled and reopened Academy of Science Museum in San Francisco has a very large T-Rex replica that towers over the entrance hall. I took this shot from the third floor.

Eastern Bakery

Eastern Bakery, originally uploaded by big_pixel_pusher.

Opened in 1924, the Eastern Bakery was the first bakery in San Francisco's China Town. Located at 720 Grant Street and known best for their Moon cakes which feature a light melon filling or rich lotus seed paste, the Eastern Bakery is a San Francisco landmark. Kathy and I decided to walk over to Chinatown early before any of the stores opened and the crowds gathered. Chinese new year had just started the day before and the foggy streets were covered with red paper from exploded firecrackers.

Silent Street Scene

Silent Street Scene, originally uploaded by big_pixel_pusher.

Kathy and I woke up really early on our last day in San Francisco. I looked outside of our hotel window and could see the fog rolling down the hill and heading for China Town. I told her I was just going to throw on some clothes and walk over and take some shots. She got up immediately and we both headed out. It was so strange to walk around the silent China Town streets. This area was just packed with people and traffic the day before.

Guerilla Photo Shoot at the Hilton Financial District

Guerilla Photo Shoot at the Hilton Financial District, originally uploaded by big_pixel_pusher.

Who needs to pay for a bay view room? Kathy shoots a night HDR sequence of San Francisco's North Beach neighborhood. The view from the 20th floor was spectacular!