Tuesdays in Balboa Park mean free admission to certain museums. The choice of museums rotates each Tuesday of the month. If I have any errands to run uptown or have any appointments during the summer, I try to book them on Tuesdays. I can walk over to the park and use my driver's license to prove residency and thus gain the free admission.
My photographic victories are small but satisfying. Outside the Botanical Garden, I caught this dragonfly as it settled on the lily pad.
Outside the museums there are numerous sculptures. Some I recognize. This one is Henry Moore's "Reclining Figure."
This bird settled at the top of a modern art sculpture. I didn't care much for the sculpture, but I loved the bird!
The "Old Globe," where small stage productions are put on. A pseudo pub next door sells beer and chips.
I found this bird while I walked to the Museum of Man. I also visited the San Diego Museum of Art and the Timken Museum. Most did not allow photography indoors.
The Timken has a display of Russian carpets woven in the 17th century and Russian Orthodox Christian icons, decorated in tempera paint and gold.
The San Diego Museum of Art was lovely and housed paintings by Miro, among many others, and simple wooden furniture by Stickley. There was a section of the museum that featured American crafts. At the gift shop, I bought myself a brown T-shirt (made in the Dominican Republic, with ink made in Maine)! YAY!
Another view of Henry Moore's sculpture.
I visited the Museum of Man, which covers everything from Australopithecus to modern man. This is a Mayan pillar. The hieroglyphics on it depict their creation myth.
Nearby, the Botanical Garden was open for business.
Light on leaves.
I found the spiral effect of this plant intriguing, faintly Alice in Wonderland-like.
Ferns
Inside the Botanical Garden
Lily pond
The lily pond was inspirational. Little children marveled at the plants and water, and they looked out for the odd fish swimming by. I like the reflection on the water.
Most of the buildings, whether the museums, restaurants, or visitor's center are decorated with elaborate detail.
This fellow resembles images of William Shakespeare, but a blowup of the photo reveals his name: He is Diego Velazquez, a Spanish painter of the Baroque era, in the court of King Philip IV. It makes sense that I thought of Shakespeare, since they lived at approximately the same time in history and wore similar dress. This is the part of the facade of the San Diego Museum of Art.
This fellow resembles images of William Shakespeare, but a blowup of the photo reveals his name: He is Diego Velazquez, a Spanish painter of the Baroque era, in the court of King Philip IV. It makes sense that I thought of Shakespeare, since they lived at approximately the same time in history and wore similar dress. This is the part of the facade of the San Diego Museum of Art.
This sculpture of El Cid, the Castilian military leader, holds a central position in the plaza.
If you haven't seen the Hollywood blockbuster starring Charlton Heston and Sophia Loren, you need to rent it this summer!
I also visited the Japanese Friendship Garden, which offered free admission today.
But first I bought myself a cool lemonade from this lady outside the entrance. She was talking on the phone and at first forgot to give me my change, then forgot to give me all my change. But I paid attention, for a change, and eventually received all that was due. $3.00 for a small cup of lemonade. Thank goodness admission was free!
Bamboo
Koi fish swam in the pond. That is what I enjoyed best at the Japanese Garden.
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