I don’t doubt that this kitty’s owners call it something other than my choice of nickname. How could I resist for the series‘ first Scottish Fold, and what a looker it is, too.
The Featured Image comes from Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, today. Vitals: f/2.9, ISO 25, 1/294 sec, 230mm (film equivalent); 12:39 p.m. PDT. Scotty is the eighty-fourth feline found behind door or window out of 640 profiles, including this one.
The local polling place nearest our apartment is North Park Recreation Center—and even then, it’s a bit of a hike. This afternoon, while walking, I happened by the place, where a surprise greeted me. The poll was open. On Memorial Day!
My mail-in ballot was home, but why wait when you’re at the poll and it’s not the least bit busy? The Primary election is June 2, 2026, or a week from tomorrow. Volunteers told me that this location is open for 11 days, even Sundays (and of course holidays).
What does this scene represent? The angelic creature appears to be hanging over the laundry. He is supposed to bring calm, joy, and relief, which I guess translates to some kind of blessing for the pesky pull-ons that cushion (protect and keep warm) the feet within the shoes.
The Featured Image comes from Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, today. I shot through a chain-link fence, navigating obstructions, which dictated the composition. Vitals: f/2.9, ISO 50, 1/1000 sec, 115mm (film equivalent); 1:33 p.m. PDT.
This is supposed to be Dr. King—Martin Luther, Jr.—yes? I came upon the face mural on May 11, 2026, when walking through San Diego neighborhood South Park. GPS and Google Maps puts the location as along 30th Street between Redwood and Thorn streets.
I really like South Park, which chirps community charm. Small businesses tuck in everywhere, and many are located in what otherwise would be single-family homes. Few structures are taller than two-stories. The atmosphere is other-worldly small town, punctuated by an eclectic mix of bungalows, cottages, Craftsmans, and other vintage single-family homes. Estimated population is a few hundred short of 6,000.
Stop a moment and reminisce with me. This series started a decade ago and arrives at its 639th profile, including this one. This kitty is from the more recent backlog (yes, others wait in yet a longer queue). I used Nikon Zf and NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR lens to capture the Featured Image on April 8, 2025.
My guess on location: The cottages at Meade and Louisiana. Vitals: f/6.3, ISO 400, 1/500 sec, 200mm; 12:21 p.m. PDT. This is a close-crop that removes sunlit areas, which also explains composition choice. Drumroll. Nickname: Darling, for no particular reason.
I apologize but it’s a quick post this evening. Our daughter demanded some tender loving care, which was overdue—and the day stopped being mine late-afternoon. She is time well spent.
We walked to Sonic, uncustomarily, because it’s a Fifties/Sixties-style carhop joint. We brought no car, which made ordering food on my phone almost ridiculous. To check-in, I had to designate a stall; Sonic provided no lobby option. So. we stood in No. 4, and someone roller-skated out with the meal.
I really should bang out all the felines languishing in the backlog. I expect to not recall some of the oldest beasties and where they were photographed. But I am at a loss about some of the more recent kitties, like this one from Aug. 26, 2025. The Featured Image comes from Nikon Zf and NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR lens, and there is no companion captures from Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, which would have provided location information.
Vitals: f/8, ISO 250, 1/250 sec, 84mm; 10:04 a.m. PDT. Composed as captured. For plaid fabric collar, which might be GPS, this tabby earns nickname Fab.
I initially treated the Featured Image as a throwaway. But on reconsideration, seeing the sharp detail of the rose petals and the shift in emphasis brought by using the dehaze control in DX Studio, I present this simple shot on a busy Saturday night.
This one comes from Nikon Zf and NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR lens. Vitals: f/6.3, ISO 100, 1/320 sec, 62mm; 5:48 p.m. PDT, May 9, 2026. Composed as captured.
On my walk home to University Heights from South Park on May 11, 2026, I came across a decorative utility box that demanded my photographic attention. But as I reached for Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, a woman walked out of a business dragging a can of empty beer bottles, blocking full view of the mural. As she returned to the establishment, a gent came out with another container half-full. She started dragging a third one.
That was my cue to abandon the shot, and then I rethought the opportunity: The can of bottles makes more interesting composition and creates speculative storytelling opportunity. Welcome to, ah, tippled South Park. Correct me for saying, but isn’t that quite a lot of empties for one night’s business? How many people were getting drunk?
Among the many tactile features I find beneficial on Nikon Zf, the monochrome switch is one of the most useful. In about one second, I can go from capturing color to black and white, which is super handy when street shooting—no post-production tweaking required.
On Saturday (May 9, 2026), University Heights hosted Party on Park, which was billed as a community block party, with live music, various vendors, and specials from street-side eateries. I walked through twice, first with DJI Osmo Nano—my first outing with the action camera (footage not yet processed). Later, I hauled up with the Zf and attached NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR lens.
Confession: The family, spurred on by our daughter, is taking almost too much advantage of the Too Good To Go app—Android for me, iOS for her. Local eateries offer up food, presumably what wasn’t sold during typical business hours, for significant discount. Most places offer grab bags.
Today, my wife drove us to the Pop Pie in South Park, where I had reserved a bag with two savory pies. They typically sell for $12.50 a piece but were $$8.66 before tax together. These babies are tasty, too, and premium ingredients. Another location is closer, a few blocks away here in University Heights, but Pop Pie South Park is where I beat out others for the reservation (stated differently: goods move fast).
I remember when Fashion Valley Mall had three tech branded boutique stores—Apple, Microsoft, and Sony. In my analysis, these digital lifestyle shops were the future of tech retail. But I was wrong. Microsoft Store opened in late June 2010 on the same day as Apple’s massive iPhone 4 launch. Microsoft shuttered all 83 stores 10 years later. Sony exited branded retail earlier, in 2014.
Fast-forward to the renewed future of digital lifestyle branded boutique stores. Tomorrow, Google joins thriving Apple Store as a Fashion Valley tech retailer. San Diego marks the 10th location, and it is well-placed, too—upper level across from the food court and in the same quadrant as Anthropologie, Banana Republic, and Oliver Peoples. That’s a high-traffic corridor.