A walk along San Diego marina

The Scientific Committee of the IWC was this year hosted by the USA at the Marriot Hotel in San Diego (the silver building in the background above). The Hotel sits by the sea and close to the San Diego conference centre and 'gas-light district' (home to many clubs, pubs, cafes and restaurants). [Incidentally for American readers I mean 'harbor' and 'center'.]

This is a wholly man-made environment of giant statement skyscrapers, roads, railway and pavements with lines of palm tress and small planted areas. The wildlife on the landward side is largely limited to big black crows, European sparrows and the very occasional hummingbird. Seaward - in the very busy harbour - there are herring gulls and the occasional sea lion. 

Pavement art includes some wise words from Martin Luther-King

Some of those palm trees and skyscrappers

Cafe on the Pier from which you can watch the sealions and vessels while you eat

One of many tour boats

A black-crowned night heron lurks in an ornamental pond

The kite shop

The Marriot towers from the far side of the marina