Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Early Morning Photoshoot


One of the biggest surprises for me about blogging is discovering my passion for photography. Last weekend, early in the morning, I wandered around with my Canon Rebel shooting photos of our Asti home, trying to capture the early morning peacefulness of the sprinklers watering the olive trees.

Or trying to capture the weathered look of the old chicken coop/tool shed.

And the oak trees on the neighboring property with their hanging moss and lichen covered branches.

Looking down the driveway with Italian Cypress trees, I tried to show the symmetry of the trees lining the driveway and the Alexander Valley in the distance.

About five trees down on the right, two huge rattlesnakes are intertwined together in the rock wall. Apparently, the latest heat wave brought them out! So much for walking around with the camera!

I have a lot to learn about photography. Mr. A bought me a tripod and a book on digital photography for dummies. I guess I'm going to have to take my new hobby seriously now!

Actually, I started a photo journal and my goal is to post a photo a day for 365 days. Hopefully, the journal will document my learning curve. Come on by and check it out at Mise-en-Scène.

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32 comments:

Yvonne @ StoneGable said...

You are such a naturally gifted photographer.
I also found that I love photography through blogging. And I got a tripod and "Digital SLR Cameras and Photography for Dummies". I haven't cracked it open yet.
I think you are very talented. You have an eye, and your images tells a story! I am always in awe of your art!
Yvonne

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

Everything was peaceful and lovely until you got to the snakes and then I cringed!!! I am surprised you took that shot. I would have backed away frozen and unable to take a pic. We had a rattle snake out on a rock in our woods last week and he was big!

Olive said...

I could look at your driveway for a very long time. The snakes not so much. hugs♥olive

Pamela said...

After seeing that photo of the rattle snakes that just killed my ever wanting to live there! Nothing i hate more than snakes! Thank god in Canada there are no poisnous snakes!
Your other photos are beautiful.

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

Delores, Your photographs are always so lovely. I can't believe you got close enough to the snakes to take a picture. Yikes !

NanaDiana said...

Hi Delores-What beautiful, tranquil country you are surrounded by...well, except for the rattlers..I could do without the rattlers! You are a very talented photographer already...I can't imagine how good you will be as you keep learning. When you leave your old talent behind~ can I have it? There's something about me and cameras...it's like we are on an awkward blind date. Diana

Sonia said...

I hate snakes...but I always love your posts...your photos are beautiful...can't wait to see what your 365 photos will be! I think you've covered snakes now you can just do pretty!! LOL!

Miss Bloomers

Glenda/MidSouth said...

I love seeing your photos of where you live - beautiful country. I love the Italian Cypress lined up like that and wanted them lining my driveway where I use to live, but was told they don't care for the climate here. Yes - The snakes would definitely make me take another path!

Mariette VandenMunckhof-Vedder said...

Dearest Delores,

Yeah, early morning and you also caught the serpents... I've never in my life seen a rattle snake yet but hope not to encounter one. They could strike with such a speed and really hurt you!
The images are superb though. You love what you're doing. It is not so much the camera but the person's vision behind the camera... Of course it helps!
Like the Italian cypress; we have them too as a memory of our time in Italy where they line the scenery everywhere.

Sunny greetings from Georgia,

MariettesBacktoBasics

Christie said...

I love to come over to Vignette Design and 'see' all the beauty in the western part of states! I was admiring such beauty and thinking that I would like to visit again one day, until......I got to the SNAKES!!! I am a super freak about snakes! And since it is late, I might be having a nightmare! :) You do have a talent and God has blessed you with such beauty all around you! I am so glad that we get to 'see' it through your lens! I signed up to follow your photography blog...pass along any tips! I am asking for a new camera for my birhtday (combined with Christmas!) and would love to know how you decided on the Canon camera. Are you pleased with it? Thanks so much! Christie at Three Pixie Lane

Unknown said...

Love the shots, all of them. You are one brave lady!

Take care,

Lisa

Debbie said...

Sorry but those snakes would have sent me inside. I can't believe you got that close even if you had a good zoom. Beautiful photos by the way.

Nancy said...

You are my favorite blogger. I look forward to it everyday! Love your pix...I,too, like snapping something everyday....don't know about the snakes, though :)

vignette design said...

So here's the reality of the snakes. Mr. A discovered them as he was walking down the driveway. We drove down in the car and I snapped the photo with the window barely down. I was freaking out! Our gardener Ventura killed them the next day. I was a little sad as they were both at least ten years old. (You count the rattles--one rattle per year). However, I don't like the idea of snakes either, but they are a reality of wine country living. They leave us alone, if we leave them alone.

maría cecilia said...

Hola Delore, such a great place you live, adorable with those olive trees, like being in la Toscana!!!
wonderful.
cariños,
maria cecilia

maría cecilia said...

Forgot to mention about the great pictures you took... a canon rebel... mmmmm

Anonymous said...

A beautiful morning, and photos but photos snakes Aaa!!!:)
Luckily we have in Croatia such a dangerous snake, so we can meet them.
Kisses, Zondra Art

CosmoGirl Carla said...

What a gorgeous place to live. Such natural beauty, and you capture it well with your lens.

Thanks for sharing - be careful around those snakes ;o)

Unknown said...

What a gorgeous place you live in - the pictures are wonderful. Can't wait to see more.

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

As if one rattlesnake wasn't enough! I was swooning at the previous shots, though. Love the view down your driveway with the cypress.

Privet and Holly said...

Delores, my heart
just skipped a beat
because I just popped
over after spending
nearly an hour on line
looking a cameras!!!!
My eyes were starting
to cross, there are
so many aspects to
consider. My dslr
was stolen on my way
home from my parents
last month...grrr....
So, you have a Rebel.
I'll have to compare
that to the others
I'm looking at. LOVE
your pics and I feel
the same way about
photography....It's
definitely a new
passion via blogging.
Happy day,
xx Suzanne

Kathysue said...

Delores you are taking wonderful photographs. I loved the one looking down the driveway and you know how I love a good sprinkler!!! Kathysue

Kristen White said...

WOW, your property is gorgeous! You really have a natural gift when it comes to photography...your pictures are wonderful! I probably need to pick up that book myself! LOL
Kristen

Nancie Mills Pipgras said...

Eek.

A Runner's Mind said...

Photos- beautiful....even of those rattlers. Stay out of the bushes! (and I hope you have a strong telephoto lens!)

Deserae said...

Your property is truly spectacular...just gorgeous! I was ohhhing and ahhhhing until I got to the rattle snakes...scary! I would have run away screaming..I HATE snakes! LOL
~Des

Blooming Rose Musings said...

The photo looking down your driveway is ravishing and I find the first picture with your sprinkler to be early morning glorious! There is something so very alluring about the beauty of California wine country and I am so happy that you are sharing it with us. I feel blessed to visit the area often and each of your pictures inspires me for my next trip.

betty-NZ said...

Those are some really great shots! Good luck with the 365/photos. I will come back and check it out!

Lori E said...

Okay isn't there a law against posting pictures of snakes without a warning? I am pretty sure there is. I almost tossed my laptop on the floor. Yikes

Allison Shops said...

Enjoyed your photographs. It's mating season for rattlesnakes, btw. So do be careful. They have been rampant in our neighborhood as well. We keep Benadryl on hand in case one of the dogs are bitten. 1ml per pound, will help as long as a vein isn't hit.

Take care!
Allison
Atticmag

Room Service ~ Decorating 101 said...

I love those trees, we seen to love the same things... I don't love the snakes, how about you? lol

Katy Noelle said...

Rattlesnakes!!!! absolute BLURG!!!!

You poor lady - there you were, all peaceful!

Enjoy your rambles with your camera!

Love, Katy xo

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