Golden Gate Park, Part 1: Nature and Science, Life and Death

Golden Gate Park contains a mind-boggling collection of attractions. Museums, gardens, Japanese architecture. Dutch windmills? Yup, Dutch windmills. And would you believe…bison?

Windmills

Golden Gate Park’s 2 windmills, both sitting near the park’s western edge, were built in the early 20th century to pump water.

The Dutch, or North, Windmill was built in 1903. Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, United States, North America — The Dutch, or North, Windmill was built in 1903.

Poppies at the base of the Dutch Windmill. Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, United States, North America. — Poppies at the base of the Dutch Windmill.

The Murphy, or South, Windmill was built in 1908. Its sails are the longest in the world. Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, United States, North America. — The Murphy, or South, Windmill was built in 1908. Its sails are the longest in the world.

A particularly cool tree trunk I passed by on the way to the next attraction in Golden Gate Park. San Francisco, United States, North America. — A particularly cool tree trunk I passed by on the way to the next attraction in Golden Gate Park.

Buffalo Paddock

Where the bison roam... Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, United States, North America — Where the bison roam…

It’s officially called the Buffalo Paddock. But it’s really stocked with bison. Americans have always seemed to have trouble telling the difference.

A grazing pair in Golden Gate Park. San Francisco, United States, North America. — A grazing pair in Golden Gate Park.

I was stunned when I learned that there were bison in Golden Gate Park. Maybe you’re stunned now. There’s been a herd in the Paddock since 1899.

The lone ranger. Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, United States, North America. — The lone ranger.

California Academy of Sciences

The California Academy of Sciences is one of Golden Gate Park’s many topnotch attractions. It’s a bit pricey, but it’s enormous, so it’s a pretty good value.

Steinhart Aquarium, Part 1

A flamboyant blue-spotted ribbontail ray in the Reef Lagoon. Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, Asia. — A flamboyant blue-spotted ribbontail ray in the Reef Lagoon.

The California Academy of Sciences is so enormous, it’s like many museums in one. The Steinhart Aquarium is one such museum-within-a-museum.

A honeycomb ray in the Reef Lagoon. Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, United States, North America. — A honeycomb ray in the Reef Lagoon.

All sorts of colorful swimmers. Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, United States, North America. — All sorts of colorful swimmers.

Kimball Natural History Museum, Part 1

The Kimball Natural History Museum is somewhat of a catchall for all items not part of one of the other major exhibits in the California Academy of Sciences.

"Endangered Species", Andy Warhol, 1983. A series of prints created by Andy Warhol to raise awareness. Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, United States, North America. — “Endangered Species”, Andy Warhol, 1983. A series of prints created by Andy Warhol to raise awareness.

African 'guins! Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, United States, North America. — African ‘guins!

Feeding the African 'guins. Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, United States, North America. — Feeding the African ‘guins.

The dioramas of Tusher African Hall are the California Academy of Science's oldest exhibits. Here are Grevy's zebras, beisa oryx, and gerenuks of the Somali Arid Zone. Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, United States, North America. — The dioramas of Tusher African Hall are the California Academy of Science’s oldest exhibits. Here are Grevy’s zebras, beisa oryx, and gerenuks of the Somali Arid Zone.

Osher Rainforest

The Osher Rainforest is an Amazonian rainforest that sits in a 90-foot-diameter glass dome. It’s the largest exhibit of its kind in the world.

Everything is beautiful in its own way, including this rainforest croaker. Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, United States, North America. — Everything is beautiful in its own way, including this rainforest croaker.

A carnivorous pitcher plant in the rainforest. Golden Gate Park, United States, North America. — A carnivorous pitcher plant in the rainforest.

The stars of the rainforest are the butterflies. Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, United States, North America. — The stars of the rainforest are the butterflies.

Coming in for a landing. Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, United States, North America. — Coming in for a landing.

The 1st time I ever saw a butterfly enclosure was on my 1st trip to Germany, in 2006. I was astonished. Does anyone here remember that?

Taking a refreshing drink. Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, United States, North America. — Taking a refreshing drink.

This one is quite the looker. Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, United States, North America. — This one is quite the looker.

My last butterfly shot. I promise! But how could I resist this one? Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, United States, North America. — My last butterfly shot. I promise! But how could I resist this one?

Steinhart Aquarium, Part 2

The undersea world is surprisingly colorful. Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, United States, North America. — The undersea world is surprisingly colorful.

Maybe not the most charming fish, but such vibrant color! Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, North America. — Maybe not the most charming fish, but such vibrant color!

So much dazzling underwater color. Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, United States, North America. — So much dazzling underwater color.

Can we agree that leafy seadragons are as strange as they are beautiful? Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, United States, North America. — Can we agree that leafy seadragons are as strange as they are beautiful?

Snakes alive! Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, United States, North America. — Snakes alive!

This dramatic photograph I took of jellyfish reminds me of the pictures of took of jellyfish at the Aquarium of Genoa in 2008. Does anyone remember that? Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, United States, North America. — This dramatic photograph I took of jellyfish reminds me of the pictures of took of jellyfish at the Aquarium of Genoa in 2008. Does anyone remember that?

Now that's a sea monster if I've ever seen one. Or at least a swamp monster. Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, United States, North America. — Now that’s a sea monster if I’ve ever seen one. Or at least a swamp monster.

Above and below view. Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, United States, North America. — Above and below view.

Yet above the surface, maybe it's just a harmless log floating by. (That's what he wants you to think, anyway.) Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, United States, North America. — Yet above the surface, maybe it’s just a harmless log floating by. (That’s what he wants you to think, anyway.)

Ladies and gentlemen, meet Claude, the albino alligator. Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, United States, North America. — Ladies and gentlemen, meet Claude, the albino alligator.

Kimball Natural History Museum, Part 2

And now for something completely different, gems and minerals.

Colorful minerals. Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, United States, North America. — Colorful minerals.

1,350-pound quartz. Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, United States, North America. — 1,350-pound quartz.

Wooly mammoth tusk from about 10,000 years ago. Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, United States, North America. — Wooly mammoth tusk from about 10,000 years ago.

Hobbiton? No it's the California Academy of Science's 2.5-acre Living Roof. Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, United States, North America. — Hobbiton? No it’s the California Academy of Science’s 2.5-acre Living Roof.

The entire building, including the Living Roof, was designed by renowned musuem-designer Renzo Piano. There was one exhibit in the California Academy of Sciences I didn’t take pictures at–the Morrison Planetarium. I didn’t think it would be appropriate for me to take pictures during the movie.

National AIDS Memorial Grove

The National AIDS Memorial Grove is a section of the park set aside to remember those lost to AIDS and to celebrate their lives.

A small cascade in the National AIDS Memorial Grove in Golden Gate Park. San Francisco, United States, North America. — A small cascade in the National AIDS Memorial Grove in Golden Gate Park.

The Circle of Friends at the Grove is engraved with over 2,500 names of individuals touched by AIDS, including those who have died; those who loved them; and donors to the National AIDS Memorial. Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, United States, North America. — The Circle of Friends at the Grove is engraved with over 2,500 names of individuals touched by AIDS, including those who have died; those who loved them; and donors to the National AIDS Memorial.

A place of remembrance. Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, United States, North America. — A place of remembrance.

Coming up in my next post, the art of Golden Gate Park.

[Factual information is primarily gathered from Wikipedia, so you know it must be true.]