The middle of August started off as normal as can be expected with the the “new normal” under the cloud of a global pandemic. It is the time of year when San Francisco can get some humidity from the remnants of tropical storms coming up from Mexico.
This is not an ordinary year though. This year, we had a heat wave that lasted a full week (much longer than usual) and tropical storms rolled through the Bay Area bringing thunder and lightning. The lightning sparked hundreds of fires - some very small and easily contained - others in places so remote and rugged that they could not be easily reached by firefighters. The result: the third stage of the 2020 apocalypse. All of a sudden wildfires started burning to the North, East and South of San Francisco. There were so many, firefighters could not respond to them all. The fires exploded in size and quickly burned thousands of square miles and hundreds of homes. The number of fires and their size and destruction was on a scale never seen before. It was terrifying.
For San Francisco, this not only brought anxiety and concern for those in nearby communities, it also brought smoke. Until a few years ago, San Francisco rarely had an issue with wildfire smoke. But over the last few years, wildfires have gotten progressively worse, and wind patterns have changed bringing smoke from distant fires into the region. Under COVID, we are getting accustomed to staying inside more, but I still need my daily walkabout with my camera.
Here are a few captures from those two weeks:
One Maritime Plaza is actually an office tower next to the Embarcadero Center in the financial district. It was built in 1964 and is very distinctive because it was one of the earliest buildings to use external trusses and X-braces for seismic bracing. The surrounding plaza with this fountain was completed in 1967 and is a full floor above street level.
This is an artist’s studio on the corner of Union and Leavenworth Streets. I really like the charming array of potted plants that surround it.
A rather imposing entryway at 1120 Union Street.
This is a mural is outside Abrazo, a Spanish restaurant. I liked the way the recycling containers contrasted with the mural.
These moody clouds over the Marina district on August 17 were part of the tropical storms that caused the thunder and lightning that sparked the wildfires in the region this year.
Flowers on Russian Hill overlooked a smoke covered city.
Smoky skies made deep, rich colors on these jasmine flowers.
A woman walking her dog on Russian Hill.
Evening light made the cable car tracks on Washington Street shine brightly.
Black lives matter marches continued. This one was on 8th Street.
Many Walgreens were looted during riots in May and have kept their windows boarded up. Street artists have partnered with the stores and local organizations to use the plywood exteriors as canvases.
On Wednesday August 12, a 21 year-old man, Frank Beltran, was shot to death at 3:22 pm in front of San Francisco City College’s downtown campus at 4th and Mission. This is a street memorial for him a week later. The suspect in the killing was later found and booked on weapons and murder charges.
I like this message on a store window on Sutter Street. I strongly believe that COVID-19 is the best excuse we have had in years to find ways to make things better.
Someone was having fun with paint of this sidewalk on Russian Hill.
This little park named Vallejo Street Crest is one of my favorite spots in San Francisco. I has beautiful views of North Beach and the Bay Bridge. On this day, August 24, it was hazy.
Fog rolling in behind the San Francisco Ferry Terminal building and Embarcadero Four. On smoky days, the fog is always a welcome sight, as it pushes out the smoke.
At a certain time of day in the late afternoon if the fog is just right, a shadow from the Transamerica Pyramid appears over the San Francisco skyline.
The Stinking Rose is a famous “garlic” restaurant on Columbus Avenue in North Beach. It’s currently closed due to the pandemic, so I took advantage of photographing its empty booths through a window.
Bruce Lee mural battling a backhoe in Chinatown.
COVID-19 inspired street art on a utility box. Her eyes tell the story in this one.
I love the painted details on this building on Rausch Street in the South of Market neighborhood. I’m assuming the 1907 is the year it was built. I have no idea what the “Priestley Place” refers to.
Eclair Bandersnatch is an acclaimed street artist who stencils can be found on sidewalks all over San Francisco. This one in the SOMA district is particularly elaborate.
Social distancing lines on a sidewalk outside Mr. S Leather.
I was pleased to find that someone had fun with this gas main on Market Street.