Sightseeing in Austin, Texas - The Riverfront

While Erick was busy with the annual Solr/Lucene conference, I had a chance to look around Austin. The weather was sunny and a bit hotter than I'm used to. But mornings were perfect for walk from the Hilton in the center of town.

Lobby of the Hilton Austin on 4th St

Looking west down 4th St toward the Metro stop

I still don't know the name of this building - but I like it

1st and Red River - Hilton at the far right on 4th

Going south to the riverfront (iPhone 5c photos):

Marker for a trail along Waller Creek 

Waller Creek

The creek runs by the Convention Center

Lots of construction all over town - new luxury apartment building going up

If Austin had a city bird, it would be the crane. 

Lady Bird Lake on the riverfront:

Great-tailed Grackle near a park trail

A glimpse of the city

Things that say "Austin":

Rent a bike station near the riverfront

Cars2Go

The Metro

Food trailers

Humor in advertising

Food truck

Repurposed buildings - and BBQ

Lots of history markers

Night life in the Entertainment District - Conference party at the Iron Cactus
Great food and drinks, plus Ninja Turtle street performers outside

Next door to the Hilton, Brush Square with historic houses (SH-1 photos):

Dickenson house

O Henry house

Fire station #1 at the end of the Brush Block

Look! Up in the Sky...and on the Ground

On our way back from a family wedding in Pittsburgh, PA, we got upgraded to first class for delaying our departure time and agreeing to be rerouted through Detroit.  That landed me a window seat from DTW to SFO on the side of the plane where the light was good for some aerial photography.  (Note: I used my iPhone 5c for most of the airport and aerial photos .)

But airports can be interesting places, too.  The Greater Pittsburgh International Airport features displays of the work of native son, Andy Warhol.

And where else will you be greeted by a T Rex replica?

A pitch for the Carnegie Museum of Natural History. 

 How about a "living wall"?

Yes, the plants are real.
   

About to start our flight, first class

Despite the somewhat opaque nature of the airplane's windows, I got some interesting shots.

Shore of Lake Michigan

Salt flats

With my SH-1 zoom

Irrigated areas

Irrigation cicles (with SH-1 zoom)

In the middle of it all

Afternoon sun on the mountains

Beginning to see trees

Salt bed and wetland restoration in the SF South Bay 

South Bay bridges

The Fall is turning out some great sunsets. (Note: all SH-1 photos)

Our house at sunset

Pink reflection in the bay 

A "holy card" sky over the ridge

With zoom

An unusual "anvil" cloud formation (cumulonimbus incus) over Mt. Diablo

Early morning mist series:

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 One sunset - over a period of 10 minutes or so, bay side and canyon side: