the lake at dusk

It's always a pleasure to walk Lake Merritt.  Linked to Weekend Reflections.

the last rays of the day

In the last rays of the day, reflections become only suggestions.  Linked to Weekend Reflections.

as the sun sets

Taken before the rains came.  Linked to Weekend Reflections.

Weekend Reflection: more views of the Lake

It was a mild evening and the lake waters were fairly still.  Linked to Weekend Reflections.

Weekend Reflection: dusk at the Lake

Clear skies and calm air provides nice flat water for reflections.  The conical building is the recently constructed Cathedral of Christ the Light for the local Catholic diocese.  Linked to Weekend Reflections.

Weekend Reflections: Lady of the Lake

Docked near the Lake Chalet restaurant on Lake Merritt.  Linked to Weekend Reflections. 

pond in the cemetery

Mountain View Cemetery has interesting nooks and crannies.  This pond (one of three) is used (I think) for the irrigation system at the cemetery.  While walking along the road near the pond I heard a rustling in the trees and out flew a gigantic heron.  It glided across the water, banked toward the trees and disappeared into the green.  I was so stunned I didn't think to raise my camera until it was out of sight.  Linked to Weekend Reflections.

Port of Oakland

Along the estuary shoreline near dusk.  Linking to Weekend Reflections.

shoreline reflection

Did you know Oakland established the first bird sanctuary in the nation?  We are fortunate to be along the migratory path of many species and our waters are filled with hundreds if not thousands of birds during their migratory flights.  Egrets abound in the estuary, at Lake Merritt, and along the East Bay shoreline.  They don't seem particularly bothered by traffic noise or the rumble of a nearby freeway.  Adaptable creatures they are.  This one is poking along the estuary shoreline where remnants of a pier still jut from the water.  Linked to Weekend Reflections.

downtown Oakland

While walking downtown the other day, I spied these reflections.  The one on the left is City Hall.  The one on the right, I'm not so sure.  Linked to Weekend Reflections.

under the surface

Lake Merritt was the first wildlife refuge in North America and is on the migratory path of many bird species.  Egrets and herons tend to hang around the bay's shoreline.   This one was intent on grabbing something that caught his eye and made several passes at it, but came up with empty talons.   I'm linking to Weekend Reflections even though this is more of a shadow than anything else.  Hope it's allowed.  BTW, this is a color photo, not a b&w.

the new Bay Bridge

The tower you see is part of the new eastern span of the Bay Bridge.  The erector set behind it is the original span which will be in use until September.  The new structure will be the world's largest self-anchored suspension span.  It will no longer have two decks and it will also include bicycle lanes.  It's only been in the works since the big earthquake of 1989 and is the most expensive public works project in California history.  The span runs from Oakland to Yerba Buena Island; the western suspension section runs from the island to San Francisco.  This picture was taken from Treasure Island (built on soil dredged from the construction of the original bridge which opened in 1936) looking east to Oakland.  The sky shows you the weather has been clear and dry.  Linked to Skywatch Friday and Weekend Reflections.

walk around the lake

The weather is generally chilly except in recent afternoons where it seems almost balmy.  In any weather folks are out walking the lake.  Linked to Weekend Reflections.

vinyl nirvana

If you're looking for vinyl records from new and vintage bands, this is your place.  Originating in Seattle in 2001 and transplanting to Oakland in 2003, 1-2-3-4 Go! focuses primarily on indie and punk music.  In 2008 they opened a retail store in the Temescal area, where they also host live concerts.  They've also branched out with their own record label.  Check out the website just to read the band names; they're a hoot.  I'm so out of it, I have no idea who any of these performers are.  But I like the idea of a home grown label.  If you follow various links, you'll also get to hear samples of some of the music.  Linked to Weekend Reflections.

holiday reflection

This is part of the annual holiday lights display at Mt. View Cemetery.  Linked to Weekend Reflections.

behind the gauzy curtain

Spotted in Montclair Village.  The tree seems to reach to the clouds.  Linked to Weekend Reflections.

City Hall

City Hall reflected in three windows.  Linked to Weekend Reflections.

Manifesto reflection

The window at Manifesto Bicycles on 40th St.  Love the font.  The reflection with the dash of red was a bonus.  Linked to Weekend Reflections.

48 Chevy

So many shiny surfaces, so many possible reflections.  Taken at the recent vintage car show during Art Murmur.  Linked to Weekend Reflections.

Creative Growth Center

The Creative Growth Art Center serves adult artists with developmental, mental and physical disabilities, providing a professional studio environment for artistic development, gallery exhibition and representation and a social atmosphere among peers.  It's one of the galleries that is open during Art Murmur on the first Friday of each month.  Their large plate glass windows are perfect for late afternoon reflections.  Linked to Weekend Reflections.