Maple Canyon: Bridges and birds
Early this morning I went exploring in an urban canyon — longtime readers know how early I go exploring. There is a pedestrian bridge that goes over this canyon, and while I’ve been on the bridge many times, I’ve always wanted to find a way down into the canyon since I could see dirt trails from up above. Here’s the bridge:
That’s the Quince Street bridge over Maple Canyon. The bridge is 236 feet long and was completed in 1905. It had been closed and scheduled to be destroyed in the 1980s because of termite and wood-rot damage. However, neighborhood activists came together to raise money for its repairs, and after a long overhaul, it was reopened in 1990. It was closed again on March 20, 2011, when a massive eucalyptus tree fell on it. After $90,000 of repairs, it was reopened on September 10, 2011.
Here’s the location of the bridge and the path I took hiking through Maple Canyon this morning:
Notice on the map that I had to travel under 1st Avenue, and that means under another bridge:
That is the 1st Avenue Bridge, built in 1931. It is 463 feet long and rises 104 feet above Maple Canyon below. Since it is the only steel arch bridge in the city, it is listed as a historic structure. It was closed for 15 months in 2009-2010 for renovations and seismic retrofitting, reopening to great fanfare on February 22, 2010.
During my hike, I realized that I was being stalked. Everywhere I looked, I saw this little fellow nearby:
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Posted on October 10, 2012, in Birds, Fauna, Manmade, Mother & Father Nature, Out & About, Photos and tagged 1st avenue bridge san diego, bird pictures, maple canyon san diego, quince street bridge san diego. Bookmark the permalink. 24 Comments.
Gorgeous.
I think that was what’s called a sparrow hawk, lucky you! I love that bridge. I first walked it in the late 60s.
I think your hawk stalker just liked having his picture taken. He is a handsome one though
Had a lovely walk with your little inventions and discoveries catched up in frames..
What an amazing spot! Canyons have always fascinated me….probably because they’re So typically West Coast!
Wow, your bird is something- as is the canyon…
Beautiful pictures! I love the Quince Street bridge; fascinating!
Love that little bird. I wonder if he/she had a nest nearby and was making sure you didn’t go anywhere near it?
Nah. It simply deduced (correctly) that if it hung around I’d take hundreds of pictures of it………..lol
lmao – that bird has show biz savvy!
I’d be weak-knee-d walking over that bridge!
I’ll be there to take care of you!
Another wonderful post. I felt like you took us along in your pocket and it was a blast. Gorgeous hawk by the way, what a blessing. Isn’t it amazing when we receive the trust of other species? remarkable. where are we going next??? can’t wait, sure do need the inspiration right now.
Thanks for the walk, the history and the bridge photos. I liked your tag-along buddy also.
You have a way of bringing us along with you Russel. Your photos are quite lovely!
Lovely country. Beautiful photos. Thank you for the “follow” – now that I have discovered your site, it will be a pleasant trip on your journey’s
Wow that hawk is beautiful!
Interesting about the bridge…They’ve put a lot of money into it…it better be standing forever!
Love the photos
Thanks for sharing!
Very nice captures, Russel. Looks like a great walk.
Glad to see you went down under…. stellar pics!!!
Awesome! And all this while Zoey sleeps or takes part in all her Zoey-isms *)
Shhhhhh. Don’t tell her she has Zoey-isms. She’s kind of sensitive about that……..lol
She’s Buddha Cat Zoey
You had a photogenic companion for your canyon exploration…