SAILING ON S.F. BAY

TUE., 18 DEC. 07-- SHORT SUNSET SAIL IN CHILLY HAZY AIR




A nice westerly wind was blowing in the late afternoon yesterday as we left port, but the air after the overnight and morning rain was heavy and hazy.












As we headed out into the central bay, we spotted this sailboat heading downwind to the east.












In the northwest, an inbound container ship was heading for the port of Oakland, but was using the normal outbound shipping lane for some unknown reason.












As we headed west against the waxing flood current, we noticed that the flags on teh end of pier 39 were fluttering lightly in the declining breeze.












The Alcatraz ferry was heading back to port with far fewer passengers than one would see in the warmer weather, and with puffy low clouds overhead.












A Red and White ferry passed with few passengers aboard.













A short time later, the sun went down behind the Presidio hills.













In the northwest, an inbound tanker's starboard hull was illuminated by the setting sun.












A bit of sunset color was showing up on the underside of the low clouds in the northwest, as a Blue and Gold ferry rounded Alcatraz.











The breeze was declining to just a couple of knots, so we tacked and headed back toward home port as the half moon brightened in the sky.











The Blue and Gold ferry passed to port, also carrying few passengers.














A heavily loaded container ship was steaming westward in the outbound sea lane.













As the sky darkened, the half moon brightened.













As we approached home port, the city lights began to shine in the dusky sky.














We doused sail as we approached the marina, and city lights were brightening as we steamed into port.















Later in the evening, the half moon was shining brightly in the night sky.













\\