Endless Summer in Winter?

It snowed this morning, but this Endless Summer hydrangea is still hanging in there. The petals are glistening from the snow as it melts...

Trixie's Formal Portrait

I used split lighting to illuminate Trixie's face. She is sitting next to one of the windows in my studio. Split lighting is great for slimming a face and also good for...yes, I am going to say it...split personalities. She is a true Gemini. She loves exploring new places and will do so with great boldness but runs away and hides when someone new appears. She also loves to cuddle and will sit on your lap for hours but doesn't like to be picked up or held.

She also LOVES to stare into the camera!!! She really is just a big fat ham bone of a cat! 

"Hello, is that Hollywood calling? Please tell them I have to take a nap...and then find my favorite toy clippy from Staples. I will have someone call them or maybe not. I will decide later if I feel like it."

Jungle of Rose Petals

Who doesn't like a jungle of roses? The rose past her prime is so much more interesting than the just blooming rose, don't you think? I love the petals draping over the stamen. She is exhausted in a beautifully dramatic way...

Santa's Elf Arrived Early This Year

Well, I know it is a little early to be talking about Santa. I am all for waiting until after Thanksgiving...that is, until I saw this rose. Do you see the elf wearing his red (okay, it's pink) Santa hat, coat and pants? He or she appears to be bending over the stamen...smelling them or maybe just getting a closer look.

Clearly even Santa's little helpers like roses. Next time you see some roses, get a little closer. They might surprise you.

Fall into Color

This year is spectacular. Don't you think?

I drove up my driveway (not this driveway!) yesterday and was blown away by the sight of my house surrounded by yellow trees. It looks like the house is sitting inside a giant golden bowl. Last year, which was my first fall at my house, super storm Sandy "blew" away all of the color, so this is my first year witnessing what happens here. I tried to shoot it, but I didn't capture its splendor. 

I will try again, but in the meantime, I hope you enjoy these shots of an allée of trees instead.

A French Spider from Jamaica

Happy Hallows' Eve!! I have a new appreciation for spiders...as long as they have dreadlocks of course. Don't you? Notice the jaunty beret-esque-ness of it all!! C'est magnifique!

Snack Hunting

A Great Blue Heron looking for a snack in the early morning...

Sangiovese Grapes

They are so juicy and fat that they are popping!!

Boo!

Halloween is just around the corner...are you getting in the mood?!

Star Power in Pienza

This is a section of the ceiling of the side chapel in Pienza's Duomo. The interior of the Duomo is stark and bare, but the dimly lit side chapel is anything but.

Serendipity

I couldn't have staged this if I tried. A kitten with yellow eyes sitting on a yellow garden hose!! I found this little one behind one of the greenhouses at Rome's Botanical Gardens.

The Running Water of Villa Lante

This is the lower garden of Villa Lante in Bagnaia, Italy. This is yet another garden that is difficult to find...but so worth it! It is astounding with its intricate details and imaginative fountains everywhere. There are about five levels that make up the garden, all along a center axis. I shot the lower garden from the second level looking down. The sketch below shows the lower garden on the left.

This is the fountain leading up to the third level.

This is the fountain at the top end of the third level.

Love all of the moss and ferns...

Dusting with Light

This is a view from Chiarentana at La Foce in Tuscany. The row of low-cut plants in the foreground is lavender that has been cut back for fall. The sun was just starting to set---dusting the tops of the olive trees and lavender with light. 

You can see Mount Radicofani in the background. Radicofani is the name of both the mountain and the fortress town located on its peak. Large walls with a single tall tower surround the town and give the mountain that strange shape.

A Place for Gregorian Chants

This is the former Abbey of Sant' Antimo, built in the 9th century, and located just below the town of Castelnuovo dell'Abate.  Seven Augustinian monks live here. We reached the Abbey in time to hear the Gregorian Chants. Four monks sang and we were all taken to another more peaceful place as we sat on the hard benches...

This is the view from the Abbey's driveway...You can see the olive tree in the foreground and the rows of grape vines in the background--all surrounded by the cypress trees.

Baaaa from Tuscany

From somewhere just south of Route 40, north of La Vittoria on the way back to La Foce...The sheep were very respectful of us!!

Villa Cetinale's Formal Garden

Villa Cetinale was very difficult to find but it was well worth it! You can rent the villa which includes this amazing garden, a pool, a private chapel, and something called a romitorio-- located about 200 steps up a mountain!!

This path leads around to the back of the house and the garden and pool.

P.S. This villa is NOT located in Sovicille despite the address and website! It is located in Anacaiano!

Cypress Trees

Somewhere between San Quirico and Pienza on route 146...

Italian Doorways

I was walking down the street in Rome and just happened to look into this doorway...

Mist in Blue

One early morning at Squam... It will be on sale at the Mountain Art Show in October...

Impressions of Trees

Blurring and adding grain to the woods. What a soothing way to see the world. Monet's failing eyesight must have been one of his best assets...

The "In" Color This Season

Pastel-colored berries in the Adirondacks.

This is actually his color.

Does anyone know what these berries are called?

The frog crossed the path in front of me, paused and then leapt into the pond that was lined with these berry bushes. Apparently the pond inspires pale blues and pale greens. What lovely colors for fall.

Anything for the Shot

You would never know it, but Sarah was SURROUNDED by buzzing bees...

and then it started to rain...but we got some beautiful shots for her senior photos!

Patience

I practiced patience today as the snail worked his way V E R Y  S L O W L Y all over the leaves on the bush as I got bitten a thousand times by mosquitoes. You can see he has already had a bite or two to eat on the leaf above. It was feeding time apparently...but I hadn't had my breakfast yet!!

Windows

When one window closes, there is always another one already open and standing by... and even another one waiting in the wings...

Gardening Proverb

Tail Perspectives

Living, Breathing Works of Art

Happy Birthday Carol! I spent the morning with Carol and her granddaughter, Millie. We went to one of their favorite museums in the city. They have spent hours roaming around that place ever since Millie was tiny, and I can understand why. It was pure pleasure to spend time with you. The real art, however, was directly in front of my lens...You both are works of art yourselves. Thank you.

 

And then off to another adventure with Granny...

A Magical Mystery Tour...

...of a garden in Baltimore.

It was the kind of place that had little surprises

waiting for you down every path.

I couldn't get enough of the happy little creatures,

the beautiful trees and

exquisite flowers.

Many, many thanks to you and your Mom, Sealy.

The Most Perfect Tail

Need I say more?