Believe it or not this photo was taken by me, yesterday, at dusk in my Avalon garden. The reason i find this so remarkable is that it proves without doubt the wisdom put forth by all Gods, Faeries and Photographers. Dawn and dusk are the witching hour for the miracles of light and shadow to reveal themselves to mere mortals.
The scene is the west corner of Avalon in front of the massive grape vine, Vitis coignetiae 'Crimson Glory' that grows some 40 feet in a single season along our cedar fence. The vine cannot be seen in this photograph but is a brilliant spectacle in and of itself and come October when it is at it's peak i will attempt to capture it on camera.
The tree in this photo is a low growing Japanese Maple, 'Blood-Good', that reluctantly plays host each summer to the rampant growth of the rowdy Alstroemeria aurea or Peruvian Lily. I honestly have attempted to rid my garden of this pesky plant over many years but i do believe that the fates meant for me to behold this breathtaking scene at least once in my lifetime thus preventing me from success. Another heaven sent gift!
On another note i was just visiting with Tara who happened to mention that she had noticed in my sidebar that i was in the midst of a '365 project'. She then promised to come by more often in order to view my photos. I gasped and said to myself "oh... yes well... i was supposed to be taking and posting a photo each day since starting my blog 188 days ago." So i promptly did the math and find i am 51 photos short of keeping up with my original hope of taking a photo a day for 365 days. Ah well so it goes in life. Often things turn out even better in my mortal life than my imaginary life could have ever conceived. My blog is much more than a collection of photographs! It is one gathering place for artists, friends and fellow pilgrims among an entire community of extraordinary bloggers.
Which brings me right back to Tara who says she is in a complete state of 'nerves' due to the fact she is about to begin a new book project on Wednesday. Fortunately she is also completely enthralled with her photography which is a very good thing since it is her photographic genius which caused her to be selected to do this project. Go over and visit if her in Paris to see how she and her camera bring to life the antiques and second hand treasures that are the subject matter for this current book. Go and wish her well on her journey if you visit her blog.
And finally i will leave you with a question: I am wondering... What did you see today that took your breath away, leaving in it's place near your heart a feeling of otherworldly joy?
That purple is so deep and captivating. And then contrasted with the orange! What a treat for the eye.
Posted by: tangobaby | July 23, 2008 at 05:22 PM
This is just gorgeous. The lighting is unbelievable and the depth of color extraordinary!
Posted by: Kelly M | July 22, 2008 at 09:41 AM
This photo is magnificent! Yes, Tara is the bestest. xo
Posted by: Rosa | July 14, 2008 at 11:00 AM
SNAP! CRACKLE! POP!! That is one amazing work of art, Robin. I think I looked at it for 15 mins straight. Simply amazing.
I love how your blog journey has evolved. I honestly look forward to coming here and reading this glimpse into your life. I love sharing that with you.
Posted by: Heidi | July 13, 2008 at 06:14 AM
How ethereal and serene... bewitching indeed!
Your photographs are simply gorgeous :)
For me it was opening my eyes and peeking through the sleepy gossamer haze of the soft early dawn, to see my wee one, eyes wide, whispering into my face with his warm morning breath, "Mommy, are you awake yet? The birds told me it is going to be a beautiful sunny day today..."
Thank you for your beauty and inspiration.
Posted by: joan | July 09, 2008 at 03:13 PM
gorgeous!
Posted by: High Desert Diva | July 08, 2008 at 05:39 PM
STUNNING image!
Cxx
Posted by: Claire | July 08, 2008 at 09:29 AM
This is a beeeaaauuutiful photograph! You're right - dawn and dusk tend to bring the best lighting for photography along with some kind of magic. My favourite is dusk...when the sun's last rays are soft gold and the shadows are all blues and purples. Pretty! I also like your lens' selection here...that there is such a narrow depth of field, throwing many of the branches out of focus. Beautiful!
Posted by: susanna | July 08, 2008 at 09:23 AM
What a wonderful photograph you took! It is magical! Thanks for the introduction to Tara - I took a quick peek at her sight and it looks very nice.
Posted by: rebekah | July 08, 2008 at 06:27 AM
Incredible, amazing image!!
What I saw today that took my breath away:
~ the freckles across the bridge of my little girl's nose. She was at a friend's house all day long and I missed her. Just seeing her sweet face and those tiny freckles took my breath away.
Posted by: Relyn | July 07, 2008 at 11:22 PM
I can't begin to imagine this photo. Wonderful.
Today I saw the most beautiful thing I've ever seen...my daughter.
Posted by: Amy Steinberg | July 07, 2008 at 09:26 PM
This photo is absolutely STUNNING!!!!
I so love how you put that..."Dawn and dusk are the witching hour for the miracles of light and shadow to reveal themselves to mere mortals."
It is so true!!!!! My favourite times of the day, by far.
Today, I walked around this beautiful bog. I hate to call it bog, because that word to me always makes me picture dark dreary places. But this place was magical. Ladybugs swaying in the tall grass breezes, the quiet hum of thousands of bees in the blackberry blossoms, beautiful ponds covered in bright green duckweed, and low, soft beautiful light.
Otherworldly joy...YES!
Posted by: rhayne | July 07, 2008 at 07:29 PM
Like some of the others, this photo for one, Just beautiful, and also I a little chipmunk who stared at me for over 5 minutes and
that filled me with joy too.
Posted by: Annie | July 07, 2008 at 07:26 PM
Robin, hi tweets!!!
Wonderful photo and yes, magical light.
I love garden photos. I shall have to go back to read Paris Parfait again, to read about this book. I'm terribly behind on visits, my week has been insane. It is a breath of fresh air coming here.
xoxo Enjoy your week!
Posted by: Gillian | July 07, 2008 at 06:18 PM
I enjoy my daily visit here. Your photos are incredible and as I am a 'hobbyist' in photography, I feel I learn so much. Thank you for visiting me and leaving a comment. That was so very kind of you.
Posted by: Denise | July 07, 2008 at 04:53 PM
Hello-
Beautiful photograph. This is such an interesting idea. I thought this morning, while the skies were gray and it was gently raining, this is my favorite kind of day, working on art projects, cats napping and rain tapping against the windows. Wish I'd thought to take a photo just so I could remember the moment.
k
Posted by: kris campbell | July 07, 2008 at 04:15 PM
gasp ... this took my breathe away, beautiful ...
today, i saw this photo of yours, and it gave me a feeling of perfect joy :)
Posted by: darlene | July 07, 2008 at 03:11 PM
I've always believed Avalon is a magical place. This photo shows me I am absolutely right on that score. The color is glorious. I am inclined to think that what I saw today so far that has given me breathtaking joy is this photo! I'm working on the rest of it, though I suspect by day's end, the Marmelade Gypsy will give me one of those moments. (And you are so right about Tara's blog!)
Posted by: jeanie | July 07, 2008 at 02:19 PM
Tweety that is GORGEOUS! Such a talented soul you are. I know Tara is going to be alright, she is amazing.
Posted by: Yoli | July 07, 2008 at 12:36 PM
the colours are stunning, you are very talented
Gill
Posted by: Gill | July 07, 2008 at 11:54 AM
This is spooky & gorgeous & feels very "glow-in-the-dark"-y & quite mysterious. I feel like I need to be whispering this response. So . . . shhhhh . . . I really really like this!
:) Debi
Posted by: debi | July 07, 2008 at 10:35 AM
I sure love the "view" here on this blog journey...always something uplifting to bring a smile. And on some days, that smile is a priceless gift.
Posted by: Peggy | July 07, 2008 at 09:07 AM
Wowza! It looks like it is glowing! Thats just beautiful. I think it would be so pretty enlarged and framed! I haven't been very good with my photography lately. Life keeps getting in my way!
xoxoxooxoxoxoxoxoxo
Posted by: Beth | July 07, 2008 at 06:55 AM
wow Robin this is breathtaking... the dusk lighting really made the blues come out and with the gorgeous flowers.. wow how it pops.. awesome girl!!
Posted by: Christa | July 07, 2008 at 03:17 AM
Robin, that is an incredible photograph - wonderful lighting! I think I could use a few photography tips from you. Thanks for the nod about my next book project and my photos. I can use all the encouragement I can get with this one, as working with a French publisher is a whole new ballgame,albeit an exciting one!
Posted by: Paris Parfait | July 06, 2008 at 11:05 PM