"Temporary Trail Closure to Dogs" sign on the trail down to Sutro Baths (1896) due to Sutro Sam the river otter's unusual visit.

Near Merrie Way, Golden Gate National Recreation Area, San Francisco, California: 21 January 2013

Generally known for being cute, playful and curious, the North American river otter inhabits inland waterways and coastal areas in the Pacific Northwest, New England and Atlantic states, the Gulf of Mexico, Alaska and Canada.

They are also known to live in parts of northern California but in recent years have been spotted closer to the San Francisco Bay Area, including Muir Woods, Tennessee Cove, Rodeo Lagoon and elsewhere along the Marin Headlands.

In order to study, better understand and provide public outreach on the river otter's habitat ecology and conservation status there, the River Otter Ecology Project was established in February 2012.

The Marin County-based project has logged over 200 sightings, including one that would make headlines and help publicize the non-profit's work. In late September 2012, volunteers noticed a rare sight—a river otter at the Sutro Baths ruins, the first such observation in San Francisco in at least fifty years.

Before long, news spread of the Sutro Baths river otter and the one-to-four-year-old male got the nickname "Sutro Sam", an unofficial Twitter account, paintings of himself, a leading role in a children's book and possibly too much in-person attention from humans and canines.

Concerned for the health of Sutro Sam, a wild animal living in a popular tourist and local attraction, the River Otter Ecology Project worked with the National Park Service at Golden Gate National Recreation Area who posted signs warning of the unusual presence and temporarily restricting access.

Over the course of the next months, Sutro Sam spent time sunning himself on the ruins, dredging the muddy bottom of the pool and eating carp, fish and later on water birds like ducks.

Given the proximity, I had scheduled to follow our visit at 3 Fish Studios on Monday, 21 January 2013 with a trip to Sutro Baths. I wanted to show Marc the area, take photographs, and yes, perhaps catch a glimpse of Sutro Sam myself.

There were a few other people who had obviously come to Sutro Baths to do just that. I do not know if they were successful, but Sutro Sam did not make any appearances during our time there.

The last sighting of Sutro Sam was on Saturday, 23 February 2013. In the weeks leading up to his final appearance, volunteers had noticed he was catching fewer and smaller fish.

Either that lack of food or his natural instinct to find a mate are the likely causes for his departure according to Megan Isadore, co-founder and director of outreach and education for the project.

To view some great photographs of Sutro Sam like this one, browse these sets by Jouko van der Kruijssen and Natures Lantern.

The Marin Headlands, Mile Rock Lighthouse (1906) and the Golden Gate Bridge's (1937) northern tower from the Sutro Baths Upper Trail just north of the Sutro Baths (1896) ruins.

Near Merrie Way, Golden Gate National Recreation Area, San Francisco, California: 21 January 2013

A bicyclist sits atop the northern peak of Twin Peaks looking out over San Francisco on a clear day.

Near Twin Peaks Boulevard, San Francisco, California: 20 January 2013

On Wednesday, 30 January 2013, I had an opportunity to visit Google headquarters in Mountain View for a brief tour. Marc and I were to meet up with his friend and our host Matt for lunch.

We first drove to the quad on North Whisman Road and picked up Christan at Google Building QD6, next door to Symantec and just up the way from Roger's Deli—great breakfast, sandwiches and freshly baked breads.

We arrived in the midst of lunch hour, making parking difficult. Google offers a free valet parking service at the Googleplex and there were lines at each of the three valet stations we visited. However, all valet lots were full and we were directed to the subterranean parking garage. It did not take long to see that it too was completely full.

I ended up finding free street parking on Landings Drive near Building 1965. This worked out well since our first stop was the triad of Buildings 1900, 1950 and 2000 located nearby on the other side of Charleston Road.

We gathered a few more Googlers and headed east toward Building 40, crossing a small pedestrian bridge over Permanente Creek. After a quick stop at a small office where Matt signed Marc and I in as guests, we put on our white badges and continued.

It was extremely crowded as we entered Building 40 and made our way through the main corridor. Even more crowded was the food-court-style room filled with restaurants of varied cuisines and where everything is free. I filled my tray with items from several eateries, grabbed a drink and made a beeline for the exit away from the crowds.

Like most of the days on this trip, the weather was beautiful so the outside tables were at a premium. We managed to find a one that was too small, but we made it work anyway. After all, we were hungry and several members of our party were due in meetings shortly.

Meandering through the complex, it is amazing to see how many people work here. Some 3,500 staffers commute in daily from San Francisco, Marin, East Bay and other nearby areas on the free Google Shuttle coach service. To help people move about the various buildings that make up the Googleplex, colorfully painted bicycles are available for use.

As far as the well-known tourist attractions, we saw Stan, the life-sized Tyrannosaurus Rex replica skeleton; the replica of suborbital air-launched spaceplane SpaceShipOne; a neat Google Earth demo with huge LCD televisions arranged in a circle around the console; and the Android lawn statues.

It was fun, different and I enjoyed myself, but it was really just an office complex. We let everyone get back to work, gave a few people lifts to other Google buildings and then headed back to Sunnyvale.

Exterior sign for The Trident illuminated on the side of the building near decorative lighting.

558 Bridgeway, Sausalito, California: 29 January 2013

As mentioned previously, my birthday in the bay area was planned to be a relaxing and fun day of nature, trails and photography.

We got an early start on Tuesday, 29 January and began at Muir Woods National Park. After lunch, we continued to Mount Tamalpais State Park and enjoyed amazing views of the entire region from the East Peak at 2,571 feet.

The next destination was dinner and we were ready for it. I had set out to pick the perfect location on 30 December 2012 so that I could make a reservation a month in advance, not to mention cross this off on the trip preparation checklist.

View the entire The Trident photograph set in SFO2013 on Flickr

There were a few characteristics that I was looking for in potential restaurants, which I thought might make this difficult. First, since we were spending the day in Marin County, it seemed only logical to dine in Sausalito. With that in mind, I focused on places along the waterfront featuring scenic views.

Numerous options were eliminated rather quickly. Menus not in English or featuring unrecognizable food items were easy to dismiss (think fancy French and Italian eateries). Other places with acceptable menus and price ranges unfortunately also required fancier dress.

We were going to be outside all day, walking through the woods, hiking trails and other non-suit situations. I did not fancy the idea of bringing a change of clothes; plus, who wants to suit up after a day of hiking without a shower? That was when I found and read more about The Trident at 558 Bridgeway.

Located in the original San Francisco Yacht Club building (1898), The Trident has a rich history from its beginnings as a jazz club called Yacht Dock in 1960. Later in 1966 as the hippie movement took over, Yacht Dock was renamed The Trident and underwent a "major groovification." Notable patrons of the time included regular Janis Joplin, Jerry Garcia, Joan Baez, Clint Eastwood and Bill Cosby.

Despite closing in 1980 and being replaced by Horizons restaurant, The Trident was given new life and reopened in November 2012. The building was renovated to include a second-level deck but "most of the custom built wooden interior and the 1960s ceiling mural painted by artist David Richards" remain intact. A menu from the still groovy early 1970s now hangs framed in the hallway as you enter the restaurant.

My strict criteria notwithstanding, I was able to find the perfect location in The Trident. Their menu is one of an upper-end restaurant with prices and service quality to match, but have a casual dress code. The tables along the windows, including our Table 82, have seats on one side only. It was a little chilly this night, but next time I will sit outside on the bay-facing deck.

We arrived early but were seated immediately and quickly tended to by a nice waiter. We started with Fried Calamari served with cocktail and tartar sauce ($14) and glasses of 2010 Highway 12 Cabernet Sauvignon ($11). Delicious loaves of bread with butter were also delivered and replenished several times.

For dinner, Marc ordered the Golden Gate All Natural Burger ($14) with mushrooms ($2) while I went with the Mahi-Mahi catch of the day special served with potatoes and vegetables ($29). Everything was delicious. The waiter even commented on our extremely clean plates afterward.

I usually end birthday dinners with a cocktail such as whiskey on the rocks, but instead went with a Yacht Club Stella Artois ($7.75) since I was driving. When making the reservation via OpenTable, I noted that this was to be my birthday celebration. As such, we were surprised with a Flourless Lava Cake dessert served with fresh fruits and vanilla ice cream ($8) on the house.

After settling up and but before heading to our final stops in the Marin Headlands, we went to the deck to enjoy the view outside and shoot photos.

The evening at The Trident was perfect and at about $100 for two before gratuity, perfectly reasonable considering how much food we had consumed. I will definitely return some time, preferably before sunset on a warm clear day.

Illuminated homes on South Street, Edwards Avenue and Hi Vista Road just south of The Trident reflecting in the bay.

558 Bridgeway, Sausalito, California: 29 January 2013

Looking north on the aptly named Pole Line Road as the skies over Davis begin to clear.

2800 block of Pole Line Road, Davis, California: 25 January 2013

Pigeon Point Lighthouse (1872) and dusk over the Pacific Ocean reflected in the passenger side mirror with grass and the rocky shore beyond.

Near 210 Pigeon Point Road, Pescadero, California: 30 January 2013

Thirty-second exposure from Twin Peaks of Sutro Tower (1972), Jupiter and the stars.

Christmas Tree Point Road, San Francisco, California: 31 January 2013

Thirty-second exposure from Hendrik Point at Battery Spencer of the Golden Gate Bridge (1937), northwestern San Francisco and Sutro Tower (1972).

Near Conzelman Road, Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Sausalito, California: 29 January 2013

The red neon sign of The House of Shields saloon, which also says "cocktails" instead of "live music" now.

39 New Montgomery Street, San Francisco, California: 26 January 2013

Back in 2009, I had an opportunity to check out a saloon called The House of Shields at 39 New Montgomery Street. An interesting place with wonderfully old decor, brass chandeliers, illuminated sconces and a huge wooden bar, much mystery and apocryphalness surround The House of Shields.

Most accounts state that the saloon first opened its doors in 1908, although others say 1910. The building that contains The House of Shields, the Sharon Building, was built in 1912 leading to further confusion. It operated as a gentlemen's club and as such, prostitutes were the only women permitted inside until 1972 or 1976.

View the entire The House of Shields photograph set in SFO2013 on Flickr

Another popular story tells the tale of how the saloon acquired its iconic wooden bar early in its existence. As the story goes, the ritzy Palace Hotel across the street had purchased the bar for their new Pied Piper room.

The other main feature of that space was the Maxfield Parrish painting commissioned for behind the bar. Upon discovering that the painting was too large to support the grand bar, The House of Shields' owner suggested it be moved to his establishment.

During the prohibition of alcohol from 1920 to 1933, the House of Shields ran a speakeasy in the basement complete with a secret underground tunnel to the Palace Hotel. Untold numbers of hotel guests passed through that tunnel in order to drink illegally, possibly including U.S. President Warren G. Harding.

The official account holds that Harding died in the presidential suite of the Palace Hotel, but others claim that he actually had a heart attack in the speakeasy while getting drunk with his cronies. They say he was immediately rushed back to the suite to make it appear as if it happened there.

In January 2010, news came that the bar would be closing in June after over one-hundred years of business. Fortunately, Dennis Leary, owner of The Sentinel sandwich shop next door, had his eye on the saloon and wanted to restore it to its former glory.

Leary purchased the bar and during an approximately six-month period, completely cleaned, refurbished and restored it. The House of Shields reopened on 16 December 2010.

When Marc and I drove down New Montgomery Street on 26 January 2013, we immediately saw that the metered street parking spot right at The House of Shields' front door was available. This was only one example of the amazing parking luck I had during this trip.

We were early enough to beat the after-work crowd known to frequent the bar and were able to sit in one of the small booths along the windows. I particularly appreciate one of the bar's longtime policies: no televisions.

It was great to see all the immaculate detailing in the decor that had been covered in dirt and smoke for so many years. The statues, the bar and the floor tiling, everything looks great.

I was also pleased to see that the humongous urinal in the men's room is still present. It is so large that when standing at it, you feel like it may just hug you.

In the excitement of the trip, I knew it was likely that I would get home to my photographs and wish that I had done something differently. In this case, I neglected to take any photographs of the interior.

My love of neon signs fortunately prevented a complete lapse though, as evidenced by the exterior shots I did capture. Film buffs will recognize the sign and street corner from the final scene in David Fincher's 1997 thriller The Game.

A large eye bolt installed on the inside of Coit Tower near the top.

1 Telegraph Hill Boulevard, San Francisco, California: 28 January 2013

Decorative lighting strung around the pool at the Tonga Room.

950 Mason Street, San Francisco, California: 27 January 2013

Marc Malonzo taking photographs at Twin Peaks with his Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT.

Christmas Tree Point Road, San Francisco, California: 20 January 2013

The moon rises over San Francisco Bay and Alcatraz Island with the Golden Gate (1937) and Oakland Bay Bridges (1936) in view from near Hawk Hill in the Marin Headlands.

Conzelman Road, Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Sausalito, California: 29 January 2013

Eric Rewitzer's and Annie Galvin's logo in metal in the spacious backyard of 3 Fish Studios.

4541 Irving Street, San Francisco, California: 21 January 2013

I cannot remember when I first came across the original artwork of Eric Rewitzer and Annie Galvin, the husband and wife team that call 3 Fish Studios their home away from home.

Presumably the discovery was via a piece of Sutro Tower artwork, as Annie and Eric have featured my favorite tower in numerous pieces over the years.

Since I was unable to visit their former studio in the Dogpatch during my last visit in May 2009, I made a point to write Eric and Annie in advance of this trip. We made plans for a visit at their new (as of mid-2012) studio in Outer Sunset, just blocks away from the Pacific Ocean, on Monday, 21 January 2013.

View the entire 3 Fish Studios photograph set in SFO2013 on Flickr

Founded in 2007, 3 Fish Studios "creates a dedicated space where [Annie and Eric] can make and show their artwork together, and invite people to share the joy in doing the same."

When not producing their own work, Eric and Annie regularly host small printmaking classes. All materials and instruction are provided; students leave with new skills, fun memories and an edition of their own prints.

Marc and I started the day by driving from Sunnyvale to the Haight for lunch and a beer at Rosamunde Sausage Grill and Toronado Pub, respectively. It was a short drive from there to the Outer Sunset, where we easily found street parking.

The 3 Fish Studios storefront at 4541 Irving Street has been attractively refurbished and decorated with tiles. The 1917 building was originally used as a grocery store and more recently was home to a local dance studio.

The interior is a pleasant and comfortable space with high ceilings and light colored walls. Those entering the gallery are first met with tables and wall displays with artwork by Annie and Eric in various designs and sizes. Beyond the finished works is the studio area complete with work tables, supplies, printing presses and other equipment.

It was a pleasure to meet and talk to Eric and Annie, as well as their studio staffer, a very nice San Francisco native whose name I embarrassingly cannot recall. It is obvious that they are great people who love what they do and the city in which they do it. Annie moved to the area from Dublin, Ireland in 1989 while Eric relocated from Ohio in 1987. They married in 2001.

While discussing the inevitable topic of Sutro Tower and sutrotower.org, I mentioned a tattoo based on one of Eric's Sutro Tower linocut prints. He immediately knew that I was speaking of Chris Rosa, who commissioned the tattoo as a tribute to his deceased father.

Rosa had lost track of the original artwork, which he had seen on Etsy, so I put him on the path to 3 Fish Studios and Eric's original print.

Upon hearing this, Eric quickly walked over to a storage cabinet, opened a short but wide drawer and removed the original linoleum sheet carved with the artwork featured in Rosa's tattoo. And with that, he and I were off to create a one-of special edition hand pulled print!

Eric took the carved linoleum Sutro Tower to the painting area in the back section of the studio and presented me with a selection of three colors. I picked the red paint because the shade reminded me of Federal Standard 595 Color 12197 "Aviation Orange," one of two colors used to paint the real tower.

After rolling the paint onto the linoleum, Eric moved it to an alignment page on the printing press and placed a piece of thick paper on top. He then positioned the press blanket and readied the machine for use. I was pleasantly surprised and amused when I was told that I would be operating the press myself.

Turning the large, plus-shaped handle of the press for about a minute, the blanket, paper and linoleum moved slowly through the contraption. When complete, Eric signed the work and embossed it with the 3 Fish Studios logo.

My contribution was small, but it was a fun experience. I can only imagine how fulfilling an entire printmaking class would be here.

Marc and I spent the rest of our time chatting with Eric and Annie, who also graciously served us delicious pints of beer, as well as looking around the rest of the building.

The spacious but cozy fenced-in backyard seems like a wonderful place to spend time outdoors with friends, family and customers alike. Eric's wooden table in the shape of California sits at the center, while gardens and other adornments complete the space.

Whether you are looking for affordable local artwork, clever one-of-a-kind gifts or to learn and make your own linotype prints, no visit to San Francisco would be complete without a trip to 3 Fish Studios.

Thanks to Annie and Eric for their hospitality!

Thirty-second exposure from Twin Peaks of Sutro Tower (1972), the sky and lights from the western neighborhoods beyond.

Christmas Tree Point Road, San Francisco, California: 31 January 2013

I have wanted to take long exposure photographs in California and from Twin Peaks in particular ever since my last visit in May 2009. As Marc has a tripod, we were able to visit some key shoot locations—including Yerba Buena Island, Twin Peaks and the Marin Headlands—and do just that.

This was my first real experience with a tripod, not counting the two Milky Way Galaxy pictures Erik took at St. George Island with my camera, and it was a true learning experience.

Consequently, the results are a mixed bag of successes, near misses, beautiful mistakes and garbage. I had some difficulty getting clear and still shots, especially when using longer lenses.

I guess that wind gusts in a few of the locations were a contributory factor, but I really think that for my setup I need a heavier, more sturdy tripod. Not only will that help support the weight of my longer lenses, but should make it easier to stabilize the tripod on inclined or unpaved surfaces.

Fortunately, many of my long exposure shots seem to have come out well, including the thirty-second exposure of Sutro Tower atop this article. It was taken in the early morning hours of my last day in California—one last trip to Twin Peaks and the city before heading back to Florida.

Like most of the days of my visit, the weather on this night was perfect for outdoor photography. In fact, the weather during my entire trip was uncharacteristically nice, a fact which locals continued to mention to me with their thanks and appreciation. The moon was also still nearly full, providing an incredible amount of ambient light.

When I first saw this photograph, I had very mixed emotions. The lighting, the colors, the sky; everything turned out perfectly except for the wide-angle lens perspective problem. As close as I was to Sutro Tower and shooting at 18 mm to fit the tower in frame, it gives the appearance that Sutro is leaning to the left.

In the end, I was not pleased with any of my attempts to correct the problem in Lightroom and accepted it as-is without perspective correction, rotation or cropping. After all, many of the 2,493 photos that I took this trip are of Sutro Tower and are not shot the same.

Besides, should I discover that I failed to adequately capture something I had planned, I will simply have to return for a re-shoot.

Two people navigate the Sutro Baths (1896) western wall ruins hand in hand as the sun prepares to set.

Near Merrie Way, Golden Gate National Recreation Area, San Francisco, California: 21 January 2013

The sun starting to set behind Pigeon Point Lighthouse (1872) casts light over the watch house, fence and path.

210 Pigeon Point Road, Pescadero, California: 30 January 2013

After returning from my two-week California adventure, I am exhausted as well as nostalgic and a little bit down. After all, returning from heaven is quite a fall indeed.

Listening to songs that became part of the trip's soundtrack while looking through the 2,493 photographs that I shot, I keep thinking about how grateful I am. Great friends, great weather, no travel issues; things really could not have gone much better.

Thanks to my navigator and travel partner Marc as well as Jeff, Tom, Adriana, Matt, Thom, Jeff and Christian for the hospitality and good times!

I am also anxious to share highlights from the trip. Instead of taking a few years to write an epic tome, the plan is for short stories covering only a few aspects each. Given my history with series, perhaps this will be an appropriate level at which to set the bar.

Until then, you can look at the few mobile pictures posted; consider them a sample of what is to come.

Sutro Tower, old friend.

400 block of Twin Peaks Boulevard, San Francisco, California: 26 May 2009

2013 Edition

A Gulf Fritillary or Passion Butterfly (Agraulis vanillae) feeding on a flower's nectar next to the lake at Jacksonville's Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park.

Near Pioneer Drive, Jacksonville, Florida: 24 November 2012

Happy New Year!

I may host a few events over the course of a year, but I have come to always host an annual New Year's Eve party here in Tallahassee. Like the six or so before it, tonight's celebration was a fun success.

Some of these parties have been quite busy all night, while others had different groups of people coming and going throughout. Tonight's gathering was more like the latter, which is just as well considering I bill my private event as the most laid back celebration in town.

Although several friends had other plans that required them to depart prior to midnight, I am pleased that I was able to see most of my local friends and serve them Newcastle and Smithwick's.

Several of my guests remarked that they were glad to be ushering in 2013 because 2012 was not a spectacular year for them. Fortunately, this was not the case for me.

First and foremost, a goal to advance my career finally came to fruition when I was promoted to the Florida Department of Transportation's Emergency Management office where I am in charge of all plans, information and technology during regular and emergency operations.

This substantial but rather logical shift in gears has already provided me with various new opportunities to learn, grow and make a difference. I may not see things from the boots on the ground perspective, but it is no less fulfilling to be able to do work that directly and indirectly informs and assists both those in need and those responding during states of emergency.

Business trips to Fort Lauderdale and Orlando were both fun and educational, lest I mention my tour of the National Hurricane Center. But I obviously took the most away from the various activations during the Atlantic hurricane season and my ongoing role as one of the department's on-call duty officers.

I am also fortunate to have been able to take several camping trips with Mom and Ross, continuing our informal mission to visit and/or camp at every Florida state park.

We also tried out a local park and had our family Thanksgiving at the City of Jacksonville's Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park just south of Naval Station Mayport on the Atlantic coast.

The year also brought several technological upgrades. I continue to be very pleased with the performance of my Canon EOS 550D/Rebel T2i and lenses, seeing the ever-growing backlog of RAW photographs to be processed as a sign of success.

While I maintain that great pictures need not necessarily require great equipment, I can see my work improving and am sure the camera and lenses are at least in part to thank.

More recently for Christmas (and my upcoming birthday), Mom and Ross got me a modern television set and accompanying Sony BDP-BX18 Blu-ray player. The Toshiba 40L5200U has a beautiful picture and renders images at 120 Hz with LCD backlighting. My outgoing Panasonic TC-28WG25H 16:9 widescreen CRT is nice but nothing can compare to today's technology.

While I await a few new Blu-ray discs from Amazon, I am loving every minute of the first two remastered seasons of Star Trek: The Next Generation. As I tell everyone lately who will listen, I find it absolutely incredible that I am able to see exquisite detailing in episodes I have seen literally hundreds of times.

Holodeck episodes like "The Big Goodbye", "Elementary, Dear Data" and "Manhunt" are particularly fetching to me, with period sets and costumes with details the art department should be pleased to see are finally visible.

In short, I am moving into this year filled with excitement over what is yet to come. Best wishes in the new year!