Tag: photography

Photo by Joe WilcoxApr 16, 20268:54 pm

Two for the Road

In six entries, I have written directly, or used photos of, the alley art gallery located here in University Heights. Chronologically: “Alley Art Gallery“; “Mutt Masterpiece(s)“; Pallet Palette; “Eighteen Years Ago Today“; “Return to Facebook“; and “In Memory of Scott Adams“.

On April 8, 2026, in front of the artwork, I passed by two bicycles put out for the taking. These aren’t the first free bikes to appear in a neighborhood alley—one person’s throwaway becoming valued takeaway for somebody else.

Photo by Joe WilcoxApr 15, 202610:13 pm

What is That Yellow Thingy?

I finally left behind Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and carried Google Pixel 10 Pro XL on a walk with my wife, yesterday. How can the photo capabilities be tested, if I rarely use them? Problems, all design-related: heftiness; physical balance; overall feel of the device; disabling glare/reflection from the display. I easily prefer the S26, which is better balanced in the hand and as measured by meaningful benefits.

That brings us to the Featured Image, which presents the view into downtown Hillcrest from the Georgia Street bridge. Vitals: f/2.8, ISO 51, 1/1099 sec, (synthetic) 230mm (digital and optical zoom); 11:38 a.m. PDT.

Photo by Joe WilcoxApr 14, 20269:18 pm

It’s a Ticking Security Bomb

Look what I saw at the dentist office today. Uh-oh. Windows 10 officially reached its end of life on Oct. 14, 2025. However, consumers and businesses can sign up for Extended Security Updates for, in the case of Home users, an additional 12 months of protection designed to “reduce the risk of malware and cybersecurity attacks”.

I couldn’t resist saying something to the doctor about Windows 10. He knew support had ended and that something should be done about that situation—but in the near future. He brushed aside concerns, asserting that the computer, and another in the next examining room, weren’t connected to the Internet. They’re standalone PCs. Hence, they’re low outside security risk.

Living by Joe WilcoxApr 13, 20269:25 pm

The Cats of University Heights: Jangle

Real name unknown, this fine feline earns nickname Jangle for the string of bells hanging nearby. He (or she) is the eighty-second cat found behind door or window. Location: Louisiana Street between Meade and Monroe.

I used Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra to make the Featured Image. Vitals: f/2.4, ISO 64, 1/120 sec, 69mm (film equivalent); 4:47 p.m. PDT, 4″47 p.m. PDT.

Photo by Joe WilcoxApr 12, 20269:50 pm

The AI Scoundrel

I praised the artist’s skills of Rick’s male owner to his partner. But, as she confessed, he uses artificial intelligence tools to create the stickers, which are quite popular around the neighborhood. So is the black cat, who is a glutton for attention and knows how to easily get it.

Rick joined my “Cats of University Heights” series in August 2021, when he lived in an alley house with (presumed) litter mate Pixie (nickname). She’s still there; Rick moved on to Alabama Street, where he chose new owners and has lived lavishly since.

Photo by Joe WilcoxApr 11, 20269:38 pm

Low Flyer

I am surprised that anyone would want to fly a kite at Old Trolley Barn Park. Trees abound, making high the likelihood of entanglement. But as you can see from the Featured Image, someone attempted to get a kite meaningfully airborne on April 5, 2026. He didn’t succeed while I watched.

Nikon Zf and attached NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR lens captured the moment. Vitals: f/7.1, ISO 320, 1/500 sec, 145mm; 3:20 p.m.

Photo by Joe WilcoxApr 10, 20269:06 pm

Welcome Home!

Ten days that may change humanity ended this afternoon, with the successful splashdown of the Orion capsule carrying the valiant crew of Artemis II. I was a junior high school student the last time humans traveled to the moon and back (December 1972). Commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, and mission specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen have gone where no one has since.

Hansen comes from the Canadian Space Agency, and he is the first of his countrymen to go to the moon. The other three crewmembers are longstanding NASA astronauts—2009 for Wiseman; 2013 for Glover and Koch. All four are heroes tonight.

Photo by Joe WilcoxApr 9, 20269:51 pm

A Few Too Many

We love the book sale room, which is open the third weekend every month at the University Heights branch of San Diego Public Library. Most hardcovers are a buck a piece. Paperbacks are a quarter or five for a dollar. Prefer movies? DVDs are $1 a piece and Blu-rays are two bucks.

But who can keep track of what he or she past-purchased? The five paperbacks in the Featured Image are duplicates on their way to some LittleFreeLibrary here in UH. For each, I later bought a copy in better condition, typically new or near new.

Photo by Joe WilcoxApr 8, 20269:28 pm

Mother of Millions

Well, that’s what Google Image search claims are the pinkish flowers. Also known as the chandelier plant, or Kalanchoe delagoensis, the succulent is native to Madagascar.

I used Nikon Zf and NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR lens to capture the Featured Image, on April 4, 2026. Vitals: f/6.7, ISO 140, 1/250 sec, 105mm; 1:04 p.m. PDT. Location: Panorama Drive, in San Diego neighborhood University Heights.

Photo by Joe WilcoxApr 7, 20269:47 pm

Keeping Time with Changes

You may not like the Featured Image, but I do. On April 4, 2026, as I prepared to go out on a photo walk I pointed Nikon Zf with NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR lens attached towards the Kit-Cat to check the battery level. The moody lighting unexpectedly appealed to me, so I clicked the shutter button.

The clock hangs to the left of the Casabelle Mail Center that I purchased from Pier 1 Imports 17 years ago. The retailer went out of business during the SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 lockdowns, closing the last stores in October 2020. But the desk remains and is back in full service. Our daughter is staying with us, and I abandoned my home office for her to use as a bedroom. Cluttered and cramped best describes our 772-square-foot apartment right now. But we’re glad to have her here, and using the Casabelle is small sacrifice.

Photo by Joe WilcoxApr 6, 202610:17 pm

What’s Normal About This?

The same day I photographed Queen, March 26, 2026, my attention turned to a mural promoting Normal Heights (where our car was in the shop for a small repair). I don’t recall ever seeing the street art on any earlier visit. One or two parked cars impeding the view would be enough to keep me walking instead of stopping.

But this day was different, and I took advantage of the unobstructive view to shoot the Featured Image using Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra. Vitals: f/1.4, ISO 64, 1/2500 sec, 23mm (film equivalent); 8:18 a.m. PDT.

Photo by Joe WilcoxApr 4, 20269:31 pm

San Diego City Attorney Says Sex Shop

The questions: Why now? Who benefits?

For as long as I can remember, a massage parlor has quietly beckoned customers from the corner of Adams and Georgia here in the otherwise quaint village of University Heights. My wife and I have occasionally discussed its odd presence, with the presumption being the place peddles sex as much as massage.