Golden Gate Park, located in San Francisco, California, is a large urban park. At 1017 acres (4.1 km˛), it is in the shape of a long rectangle, similar in shape but 174 acres (0.7 km˛) larger than Central Park in New York.

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No Photography, These Animals Are Highly Sensitive
Made by Thomas Hawk
One of the things that annoys me to no end is when I see no photography policies that are put into place in order to restrict flash photography. Recently I encountered an example of this at the new California Academy of Sciences, a wonderful and remarkable museum where my family has purchased a family membership and I have to give the Academy high marks for allowing photography in the entire museum for the most part. It's an incredible architecturally significant (and actually living) structure. The exhibits really are first rate and the fact that you can shoot there (and even wear a backpack) are really great. But I was disappointed recently when I visited and saw several no photography signs in the basement aquarium of the new museum. People were ignoring these signs pretty much and shooting anyways, but that's beside the point. I sat and watched one of the no photography exhibits for a while and saw several altercations between photographers and museum patrons. One patron chided another for taking a non-flash photograph, can't your read, she curtly said to the photographer, it says 'no photography' why do people like you always think they're above the law. The photographer said that they thought that the museum meant no flash photography, (they were using an iPhone without a flash). The woman got agitated with the photographer and continued the altercation, if they meant no 'flash' photography then it would say 'no flash photography', she continued. People like you are so rude, she chided the photographer again. After seeing a few altercations like this I decided to investigate this policy a bit so I went to talk to one of docents. I asked her why the signs were there and asked if it had to do with flash photography. She told me that actually it did not. She said that cameras have lasers in them and that when the shutter opens the laser in the camera can shoot out and harm the fish. Now, I know that there are not lasers in cameras, at least not in my new Canon 5D M2 that I was shooting with that day, but I left it at that. When I returned home from my trip I contacted the museum aquarium staff and inquired about the policy by email. The response that I got back was pretty much exactly as I expected. The museum staff confirmed what I assumed the reason why they had the no photography signs on certain exhibits was. They said it was to be on the safe side, lest someone forget to turn off his/her flash. Now while I can see why the museum staff has this policy in place, I still don't agree with it. My Canon 5D M2 doesn't even have a flash on it. I couldn't use flash on their exhibit even if I wanted to. And it sort of drives me crazy when people try to prohibit all photography based on arguments about flash. So what's the alternative? Well, they could easily replace the no photography sign with a sign that says no photography without museum permission, or museum permit, and point people to the staff offices for a permit. Here if there were photographers like me who really wanted to shoot those animals they could reconfirm and stress (if it's indeed that important) that any photography must be done *without* a flash. I could then return with my simple paper permit in hand and when that batty woman who won't mind her own business starts to chide me I could pull out my permit and show her that indeed I do have permission. Of course as people mostly were just ignoring the sign anyways, while I was there at least, they could also just consider changing the sign to a more photographer friendly, no flash photography, with an explanation that flash really stresses the animals out to put extra emphasis on it. They also might want to consider telling their docents that digital cameras don't shoot laser beams. This is not Buck Rogers in the 21st Century -- it's a science museum, where it's probably better that policies be based on real actual science, not science fiction.


The Portals of the Past
Made by nlwirth
I'm beginning to think that infrared photography is fairly gimmicky ... and that the whitish foliage is deceptively intoxicating. However, I think I have a found new challenge. I am going to look for a way to take the kitschy, fantasy allure of this style and use it to contribute to the overall mood and drama of the shot; in other words, I don't want the gimmicky to be the focus but, instead, an integral part of the overall shot. I'm not sure I am going to be able to succeed, however. So, in the meanwhile, I offer this silly little infrared image as a sample of my progress toward completing that goal. I apologize in advance for the crappy infrared shots I will be posting from time to time ... but the real power of Flickr for me has always been the opportunity to experiment in front of highly talented peers. Thanks for looking. On a different note, this structure in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park has a very interesting history: A lavish Colonial Revival style mansion designed by the architect Arthur Page Brown for Alban Nelson Towne, once stood at 1101 California Street (now the site of the Masonic Auditorium). The mansion was destroyed – along with the majority of Nob Hill – in the 1906 earthquake and fire. But the structure’s marble-columned portico remained standing and Arnold Genthe’s photograph of the portico with ionic columns rising from the ruins became the iconic photograph of the 1906 earthquake and fire. In 1909 the portico was donated to the city of San Francisco by Mrs. Caroline Towne, in memory of her husband. That same year it was presented by Mayor James Phelan to Park Superintendent John McLaren who placed it in Golden Gate Park, on the north shore of Lloyd Lake (between JFK Drive and Cross-Over-Drive), reflecting in the still lake below. Portals of the Past, as the monument is known, remains a powerful reminder of San Francisco’s great tragedy and a testament to the city’s perseverance, resilience and renewal…a symbol of working towards an optimistic future, regardless of the tragedy of the past. It is the only public memorial to the 1906 earthquake and fire. (Source: www.examiner.com/historic-places-in-san-francisco/iconic-... Thanks in advance for taking the time to look.


Tank Half-Full
Made by AnthonyMikeLee
Seems as though my Flickr has almost turned in to a blog of sorts at times. /random When I first got in in to the digital SLR swing, I was sure to carry my camera with me most everywhere I go. Recently, I'd say within the last six months or so, I have found myself being lazy. But a new year is the best time, if any, to set new goals and new hopes. So, as many others make their own resolutions, one of my own is to get my camera out on a more casual basis. I went grocery shopping this evening. Tomorrow I am going to [attempt to] make French Onion soup. It should be a lot of fun. These last couple months, I've grown quite fond of the entire cooking scene. The ability to create. It's nice. In any case, I figure I'd grab the needed groceries this evening, rather than tomorrow morning in the deathly cold. On my way to Andronico's I came to a red light. Ah, what the heack, I pulled out my camera and took a quickie. I was staring at the gas needle while the car sat idle at the light. 118.1 miles since I last filled 'er up, and I practically have a tank half empty full (May this new year be kicked off with a dash of optimism!) My mind then conjured up an image of the current gas prices. Yeesh, a couple days ago when I got gas, I paid $3.39/g for regular unleaded. I definitely don't have a lead foot, nor do I drive like Speed Racer, but I'll be honest. Gas is getting expensive! I have a little 4-cylinder Acura too. $40-45 gone if I fill the tank from near E. Well, when compared to the gas price scare we had at the pump a while back ($4/g), I suppose $3.39 isn't bad. But that does not mean $3.39 is great either. I remember when I was in high school, my dad used to give me $20. And it would be enough to fill the tank on the van I drove at the time. A lot of times I might even have a couple dollars change left over. Now. Now, people are left at the gas pump wondering how bad they need gas -and which they want more; gas, or lunch! I'm sure some people are even making life decisions at the pump. Now, that's not right.


Golden Gate Park. S.F
Made by 4PIZON
Take a walk in the park ! Golden Gate Park windmill facts The history of Golden Gate Park's north and south windmills: 1870: The Act to Provide for the Improvement of Public Parks in the City of San Francisco'' creates Golden Gate Park. 1901: The Recreation and Park Commission authorizes the construction of a windmill 300 yards from the ocean. This windmill could take advantage of the prevailing winds to pump water for park irrigation. 1902: The Dutch (north) windmill is completed at a cost of $25,000. 1905: Samuel Murphy, vice president of Hibernia Bank, finances the south (Murphy) windmill. It becomes the largest of its kind in the world. 1913: Motorized pumps are installed to augment the wind-driven system. With the windmills no longer performing a primary function, their maintenance is neglected and they eventually cease to operate. 1964: Eleanor Rossi Crabtree, daughter of late Mayor Angelo Rossi, initiates a campaign to save the north, or Dutch, windmill. 1980: As a result of the campaign, the north windmill gets cosmetic repairs. 1993: The San Francisco Recreation and Park Department, with San Francisco Beautiful, arranges for an extensive study of the south (Murphy) windmill. Lucas Verbij, a Dutch windmill design and construction expert, concludes that the windmill is in need of immediate attention. 2000: The city commits $500,000 toward Murphy Windmill restoration.


El Paloma
Made by J-Ri *
This image of el pajaro was captured in Golden Gate Park during my first visit to San Francisco, California in July 2009 with my Nikon D90. I actually purchased a bird book at Borders a couple of weeks back so I would not be so uneducated when it comes to birds, the only problem is that the book focuses on birds of the Pacific Northwest (specifically Washington and Oregon) so any aid as to what kind of bird this is would be much appreciated. On a side note that really has nothing to do with this image, but with San Francisco in mind, as I am typing this the Thursday night game between the Chicago Bears and the San Francisco 49ers is on. During the pregame, they are having all these players dramatically talking about what Thursday Night Football means, and the last audio clip is Michael Crabtree talking about how there is no bigger stage and the lights are on. And my thought is, this jackass just joined the 49ers like two weeks ago because he held out almost half of the season because of the money San Fran was offering, and now I am supposed to accept that he completely understands what the moment truly means. Dumb dumb dumb, the producers could have thought that out a tad more. Alright, rant done, hey I am a smart guy, I know that about 97% or higher of the people who even view this are not even going to read a word of what I have written. So this is a special bonus to my awesome people who do. Enjoy!


d i o r a m a
Made by nlwirth
I decided to revisit and reprocess this shot that I originally uploaded in 2009 ... the explanation for what I was up to when I first took this can be found below ... ------------- I first saw Hiroshi Sugimoto's work several years ago when the De Young Museum in San Francisco featured an exquisite exhibition of his stunning work. He is probably best known for his seascapes, but I was/am equally fascinated by his photographs of the dioramas from The New York Museum of Natural History. Sugimoto said the following about his photographs of these exhibits: Upon first arriving in New York in 1974, I did the tourist thing. Eventually I visited the Natural History Museum, where I made a curious discovery: the stuffed animals positioned before painted backdrops looked utterly fake, yet by taking a quick peek with one eye closed, all perspective vanished, and suddenly they looked very real. I'd found a way to see the world as a camera does. However fake the subject, once photographed, it's as good as real (www.sugimotohiroshi.com). In that spirit, I visited the Academy of Science in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park today with the intention of trying out this approach myself. The museum was recently rebuilt and reopened in 2008 and much of it is new, but they kept many of the original dioramas that I remember so fondly from my childhood (but they were renovated and given a fresh new look).


Murphy Windmill, Golden Gate Park. S.F (peeking in)
Made by 4PIZON
Golden Gate Park windmill facts The history of Golden Gate Park's north and south windmills: 1870: The Act to Provide for the Improvement of Public Parks in the City of San Francisco'' creates Golden Gate Park. 1901: The Recreation and Park Commission authorizes the construction of a windmill 300 yards from the ocean. This windmill could take advantage of the prevailing winds to pump water for park irrigation. 1902: The Dutch (north) windmill is completed at a cost of $25,000. 1905: Samuel Murphy, vice president of Hibernia Bank, finances the south (Murphy) windmill. It becomes the largest of its kind in the world. 1913: Motorized pumps are installed to augment the wind-driven system. With the windmills no longer performing a primary function, their maintenance is neglected and they eventually cease to operate. 1964: Eleanor Rossi Crabtree, daughter of late Mayor Angelo Rossi, initiates a campaign to save the north, or Dutch, windmill. 1980: As a result of the campaign, the north windmill gets cosmetic repairs. 1993: The San Francisco Recreation and Park Department, with San Francisco Beautiful, arranges for an extensive study of the south (Murphy) windmill. Lucas Verbij, a Dutch windmill design and construction expert, concludes that the windmill is in need of immediate attention. 2000: The city commits $500,000 toward Murphy Windmill restoration.


Rippling along
Made by wolfpix
Water strider (Family: Gerridae) Hagiwara Tea Garden, Golden Gate Park San Francisco, California From Wikipedia: Water striders can stand effortlessly on water due to their non-wetting legs. Writing in Nature, biophysicists Xuefeng Cao and Lei Jiang demonstrated that the water resistance of the legs is due to the 'special hierarchical structure of the legs, which are covered by large numbers of oriented tiny hairs (microsetae) with fine nanogrooves.' They go on to demonstrate that the water resistance is due more to this physical structure than the chemical properties of the wax coating of the legs.[2] These are predatory insects which rely on surface tension to walk on top of water. They live on the surface of ponds, slow streams, marshes, and other quiet waters. There they hunt for insects and other small invertebrates on top of or directly below surface using their strong forelegs which end with claws. They can move very quickly, up to 1.5 m/s. They paddle forward with the middle pair of their legs, using fore- and hind legs as a rudder. In case you missed that -- they can move up to 1.5 m/s -- 1.5 meters per second! That's close to five feet per second -- which is as fast or faster than most people swim.


Portals of the Past
Made by raj3636
Portals of the Past , Golden Gate Park (9/12/2010) The Portals of the Past is an unusual little monument at Golden Gate Park. Standing on the shores of Lloyd Lake (just to the west of the DeYoung Museum), these columns actually have an interesting history. During the big earthquake and fire of 1906, most of Nob Hill was flattened by the destruction. However somehow, the entranceway to the mansion of A.N. Towne managed to remain standing. It was later removed and brought over to Golden Gate Park, where it still stands today, as a symbol of the perserverence of San Francisco... working towards an optimistic future, regardless of the tragedy of the past. (Quoted from San Francisco Memories) Efke AURA INFRARED 820c Hoya 67mm INFRARED (RM72) FILTER Hasselblad 500 C/M w/80mm CF Zeiss Epson PERFECTION V750-M PRO SCANNER (20100912_GGpark_EFKE820_100ASA_008) Order Online


Moon Bridge
Made by Thad Roan - Bridgepix
Moon Bridge at the Japanese Tea Garden, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California. Additional Bridge Photos and a Bridge Blog at www.Bridgepix.com. A Moon Bridge is a highly arched pedestrian bridge, which in its wooden form may require the walker to initially climb (as one would a ladder) and also when descending. This type is associated with gardens in China and Japan, and is called a Drum bridge in Japan. This type of bridge was originally designed as a means to allow pedestrians to cross canals while allowing the passage of barges beneath. When constructed using the climbing ascent and descent this had the further advantage of not using space from the adjoining fields for approaches. As part of formal garden design the bridge will be placed where its reflection is seen when the water is still. The half circle is intended to reflect in the calm water below the bridge, creating a full circle between bridge and reflection, a reference to the shape of the full moon. (Wikipedia)


Title IX: Soccer
Made by mona, eh
Project: Model: Katie B MUA/Hair: Nick Andrade Photographer: Mona B. I met the gallery curator of Lucid Gallery at a party two weeks ago. I told her and the gallery/bar owner of my Title IX series and they wanted to see it. Today I showed Jess my entire series and she loved it. So we looked up the anniversary of Title IX and it's June 23, 1972. She asked if I wanted to do a show on the 35th anniversary month of Title IX and I almost fell out of my stool. I said YES! I'm so ecstatic, we're aiming for press and large local audience for my work and for Title IX. Even with all the drama and stress from my first show, I'm hoping this will as smooth cause it's my first solo show! Thank You for everyone's support!


Japanese Tea Garden
Made by Thad Roan - Bridgepix
The Japanese Tea Garden in San Francisco, California, is an immensely popular feature of Golden Gate Park, originally built as part of a sprawling World's Fair, the California Midwinter International Exposition of 1894. For more than 20 years San Francisco Parks Trusts' Park Guides have given free tours, providing context and history for this historic Japanese-style garden. The oldest public Japanese garden in the United States, this complex of many paths, ponds and a teahouse features native Japanese and Chinese plants. Also hidden throughout its five acres (20,000 m²) are sculptures and bridges. Makoto Hagiwara, a Japanese immigrant and gardener, over saw the building of the Japanese Tea Garden and was official caretaker of the garden from 1895 to 1925. (Wikipedia)


Reflection.....
Made by Debasis ~~
White pelican's reflection in afternoon. The situation was somewhat challenging due to low light of afternoon and it was far but I was satisfied with optimum lighting. Viewed in Explore on April 15, 2009. Thank you all Enjoy the super large view for (I hope you will appreciate the details) Friends: I just a got a wireles broadband in my India home......still lot of other works pending and bit tired due to 32 hours of flight+lay over journey.....I would be somewhat irregular for next couple of days......I will reach to your photostream as soon as I can get time as I know what I'm missing....... Today is Bengali New Year !!! Happy New Year to my all friends and best wishes !!!


bay 2 breakers princess
Made by shapeshift
The Bay to Breakers is an annual 12k footrace which takes place in San Francisco. A ton of participants and race crashers alike (60 thousand + some) walk the route behind the runners. Many dress in elaborate costumes or, though not technically allowed, wear nothing at all (except footwear). Those that do wear clothes choose their most suggestive outfits, thus lending a party atmosphere to the event. Golden Gate Park, San Francisco. Check this out... Masters of Photography: Diane Arbus An excellent short documentary on photographer artist Diane Arbus, one of the most original and influential American photographers of the 20th century. More videos on photography...


Still Life from an Oil Painting
Made by Jill Clardy
I'm a bit uncertain about the ethics of this post, because I'M NOT THE ARTIST. In the interest of full disclosure, I photographed a beautiful oil painting in the DeYoung Museum in San Francisco and photoshopped it because I love the luminous colors and composition. I wish I had noted the real artist, then my conscience would be in good shape! I suppose you would call this a derivative work Thanks to one of the commenters below who advised that it was painted by James Peale; I'm drawn to still lifes in all forms, and wanted to try to recreate this composition some time. I'm quite pleased with the result even though it was shot with my little 7MP P&S Samsung! Somehow this image has worked its way to the top of my Interestingness queue; which is rather ironic considering it's just a picture of a painting.


shining through
Made by •Sarah P•
Blooming water lily in the Aquatic Plants exhibit in the Conservatory of Flowers at Strybing Arboretum in Golden Gate Park. Full disclosure, this area of the Arboretum was so hot and humid, that my lens fogged over immediately. The volunteer at the entrance had told me about the one flowering water lily (she saw me coming a mile away), so I made a b-line and got one shot. Of course this thing is processed beyond belief, oh wait, wrong day. This is my flower shot for the scavenger hunt. 5/52 textures by darkwood67 texture by Nasos3 www.flickr.com/photos/nasos3/5220356280/in/set-7215761648... And last but not least, I want to dedicate this image to wbgold, who wrote me a wonderful testimonial.


SF Nerdout: De Young Lookout (Andi!)
Made by Tod Brilliant
SF Nerdout 2007. 41 Polaroid-wielding camera-dieties met at Dolores Park, wandered around, rode the muni, then hit the ground running again at Golden Gate Park. Amazing times. Overwhelming times. Good times. Highlights: Not quite the equivalent of being run off the grounds of the Hollywood Farmers Market by security, but somewhat interesting: Being told ABSOLUTELY NO TRIPODS at the deYoung museum's lookout tower. Seems the DeYoung is worried about getting cut out of the revenue stream as there are NO other vantage points within SF for photogs to capture generic cityscape shots. Also, The Encounter with the Veteran that I happened to miss, but which Lou will detail, I've no doubt.


the windmill and the crow
Made by •Sarah P•
In 1902, the parks commission authorized construction of two windmills to pump subterranean water to supply Golden Gate Park. The first one, on the north side of the park facing the Pacific Ocean, was completed in 1903 and became known first as the North Windmill and later as the Dutch Windmill; it is now paired with the Queen Wilhelmina Tulip Garden. The second, Murphy's Windmill, on the south side of the park, began operation in 1908. They operated for several decades, but fell into disrepair after the park switched to electric water pumps. The Dutch Windmill was restored in 1981, but, as of 2009, Murphy's Windmill's restoration is still in progress. HSS


the party
Made by shapeshift
Thousands participate in Bay to Breakers race. Race officials said 35,000 people paid to register for the race, while some 25,000 crashed the party to run or walk a course that was lined with thousands of others. Golden Gate Park, San Francisco. Check this out... Masters of Photography: Diane Arbus An excellent short documentary on photographer artist Diane Arbus, one of the most original and influential American photographers of the 20th century. More videos on photography...


His Big Blue Eyes
Made by julesnene
Surely I just can't get enough of him! I have to post another one just to show you guys his big blue eyes! I stared at him so closely but I wonder why he is looking at his back and not at me!!! Must be another human, err, fishy emotion I guess:D Have a great day my dear flickr friends! Here is The Who's Behind Blue Eyes! www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_1RqyNdzbE&feature=related Thank you, Faton Haxhiavdyli, for letting me know this photo made it to Explore!:D