San Francisco

Back for a minute with photos from one of my few trips out of town, a few years ago.  Above, the Matson Building, and below left, the PG&E Building, now both part of PG&E headquarters.  Below center and right, the former Standard Oil Building at 225 Bush St.



Above, morning light on Sts. Peter & Paul on Washington Square.

Above and below left, the Chambord Apartments at Sacramento and Jones Sts., which "has often been misattributed to Barcelona architect Antonio Gaudi."  Below right, the Alcazar Theater on Geary St.



Above, the PacBell Building on New Montgomery St.  Below left, Union Bank at 400 California St.  Below right, the dome of SF City Hall.




Above, the Russ Building on Montgomery St.  Below, California St. and Leidesdorff St. sides of the Insurance Exchange Building.


And finally, I noticed several moody sets of trees out there, and nearly all of them turned out to be ficus trees. Below, morning light on trees bordering the Joe DiMaggio Playground on Lombard St.

Astor Place Light

The way the light outlined the tree, above and below, was pretty stunning.  It wasn't obvious where the light came from, but a few days later I saw the light on Cooper Union, left, reflected from that glassy pile of solid geometry on the right.  I always feel a little better when an ugly building at least throws nice light.

Central Park February Steam

Gaia, about to be burned at the stake, defiantly dresses in her best...

Above: The air warmed to the 50s F in early February, Central Park pond ice steams, offsetting winter tones with jade and other luxuries.

Right: Where camouflage comes from.