World of Tulips

A few weeks ago my Uncle sent me this question: "Jaden (my cousin) would like to know why you take such pretty pictures of flowers and why they make you feel so good?". I wasn't quite sure how how to respond, but this is what I came up with: "I don't know why they make me feel so good. I think it has to do with the process of taking the picture. And then seeing the results of crawling around in the dirt and mud. Plus they are pretty and full of bright colors. The world doesn't always look that way but it should"

Sunrise at the Tulip Fields

I made several early morning trips to the tulip fields this year. I was rewarded with some of the most amazing sunrises I have ever seen.

                                                           I love this one because you can see the first rays of light touching the top of Mt. Hood.

On a Balloon Crew

When I received a request to be part of a balloon crew, I jumped at the chance. I had a great time working with the crew to get the balloon ready to launch. Once the basket was out of the trailer, we pulled the balloon out. It took several adults to carry the bag with the balloon packed inside. After the balloon was laid out and attached to the basket, I was given the job of holding the mouth of the balloon open. Then a large fan was set up to blow air into the balloon to help get it all unfolded. Once the balloon was fully unfurled . . . . while I was still holding the balloon open . . . . they lit the burners and filled the balloon with HOT air. It was a wee bit uncomfortable to stand there next to the fire from the burners. Once the balloon was already to go, I was free to grab my camera and get a few shots. After the balloon launched I learned about a fun part of ballooning . . . . the chase!!

 Once the balloon was in the air, we packed up the rest of the equipment and piled back into the truck. We then followed the balloon wherever it happened to fly.

 To my great delight, the balloon flew over Mt. Angel. You can see the Mt. Angel Abby in the background. I used to take my morning walks up to the Abby.

We surprised some farmers when the balloon landed in their field. They were kind enough to let us remain there while we packed up the balloon. It was a fun and exhausting (in a good way) morning!

Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival

It started when Devin entered Kindergarten. Suddenly I had a few hours everyday to myself. I'd always loved photography and had wanted to learn more. Now that my kids were in school I realized it was now or never. I didn't want to come to the end of my life and wonder "what if". So I picked up my camera and started learning. I've never looked back. One spring I took a macro photography class sponsored by Canon and Pro Photo Supply, at the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival. It was there I fell in love with macro photography. I have gone to the tulip festival every year since that first class. 

                                                                                         The windmill is a staple at the tulip festival.

                                                           They always have their John Deer tractor on display . . . perfect for photo ops.

                             This year it was muddy and wet at the tulip fields. But I was ok with the rain because I was able to capture a beautiful rainbow.

                   

                                                                       The moon this evening was huge. I wish I'd had a longer lens with me.

This pink tractor is a common sight at the tulip festival. My understanding is that it was painted pink for breast cancer awareness. 

                                                                                                 

I looked up from shooting the flowers when I saw this man wandering around the fields with a huge flag. I soon realized he was there for some kind of photo shoot. I would have liked to hear his story, but I didn't want to intrude.