snowdrop...

snowdrop..., originally uploaded by credd.

i planted my fall bulb garden on november 7. a little over a week ago...i saw the plants beginning to surface. today when i looked out...i saw the lone white flower above. there are 11 other types of flowers (23 total bulbs) in the container. i wonder what will open next.

field trip...

i knew i wanted to go out shooting on sunday.  my first thought was to go to mt. diablo...to photograph the snow.  i even tweeted about it.  unfortunately...i was the ONLY one that wanted to go.  so...instead...i went to napa.  

napa never disappointments me.  even though the mustard was just beginning to bloom...it was still a spectacular site to behold.  

the rain had ended for the day.  snow covered the mountain tops.  and beauty was all around...just waiting to be discovered.  

vineyard w/mustard flowers

darioush winery

field of tulips

closer view of the house behind the vineyard 

w/snow topped moutain in the background

darioush - a different focus

i'll get to the mountains one day.  i'm just not sure when. 

there's supposed to be a pretty good storm coming thru here starting tonight.  the snow level's supposed to get down to sea level.  heck...if it gets that low...i might even have snow at MY house.  and if i do...you can bet there'll be photos.  

pretty in pink...

hyacinth...

sun-kissed

...

painted

...

from the top

...

in all its glory.

daffodils...

daffodils..., originally uploaded by credd.

i have a few bulb pots that i've planted in my backyard...
and i love seeing the flowers come back each year.

the daffodils are usually the first to appear.

happy valentine's day...

happy valentine's day..., originally uploaded by credd.

to love oneself is the beginning of a life-long romance. - oscar wilde

have a wonderful day!!!

a new experience...

today...i attended a portrait lighting class.  that's something different for me.  what's my comfort zone?  food - yes.  flowers - yes.  books - yes.  but...i usually don't shoot anything that moves.    at least...not yet.  

it was a very informative class...and...not only did i come away with a LOT of things i want & need to work on...but i also met some great people...and had an AWESOME networking experience.  as a matter of fact...some of the things i put on my bucket list...will soon be relegated to the 'been there - done that' category.  


now...to go study...oh...and practice my 'posing' technique for next time.  


thank you to keith b dixon...for the opportunity to attend the class; and to our model, dani.  

red umbrella...

red umbrella..., originally uploaded by credd.

yesterday afternoon...
on my way back from napa...
the statue caught my eye...
as i was driving by.


i thought...
i should go back.
then i thought of the traffic...
then i thought..
there's always traffic...
and turned around.

***

location...
mustards grill
yountville, ca

stargazers...

stargazers..., originally uploaded by credd.

the floral celebrity, stargazer lilies are young, bold, beautiful, and dramatic. the meaning of these fragrant flowers can be one of wealth and prosperity, but their white variety can dress down to genuinely express purity and sympathy.

one of the most stunning and perhaps most celebrated lily varieties is the star gazer lily. known for its striking blooms and heavenly scent, the stargazer is a fantastic choice for a number of occasions. delicate, bold, and fragrant all at once, stargazers can say congratulations, i'm sorry, and everything in between.

the lily family has traditionally represented innocence and purity. these motifs appeared as far back as ancient greek and roman civilizations and reappeared in biblical traditions. stargazer lilies have come to be associated with these meanings, but they've taken on additional meanings as well. white stargazer lilies, in particular, have come to characterize a sense of purity and are often used as an expression of sympathy . the pink varieties are also considered symbolic of wealth and prosperity, as well being as a sign of aspiration.

of the many different lilies that are available today, the stargazer lily is one of the true stand-outs. its spectacular blooms, which can range in color from pure white to the more familiar shades of deep pink, can make a definite impression. its dazzling appearance and seductive scent has resulted in a flower that can really make an entrance. stargazers are floral celebrities – bold, beautiful and dramatic – and they're sure to make that statement for you, whatever the occasion may be.

***

history & meaning from pro flowers.

deconstructed...

deconstructed..., originally uploaded by credd.

when i got home last night...
there were a few petals on the floor.

i placed them in the refrigerator...
to keep them fresh for today's shoot.

this morning...
a lot more had fallen.

a week of tulips...

on monday i bought some tulips...and have proceeded to photograph them for my photo of the day every day this week.  

here are a few of the photos that i didn't post on flickr.