Practice

It's fall on the Central Coast.  While the East Coast shows the change of the season with a spectacular display of turning maple and elm leaves, we show our autumn colors with vineyard harvests.

Kendra and I took Elizabeth on a cross county jaunt to photograph the rolling hills of red, yellow and orange.

We hit up a winery in the midst of harvest.  On one side of the road, the leaves had turned brilliant scarlet, yellow and orange.  Grapes that were left on the vine were shrivled into raisins, their wrinkled skins dull and dusty.

On the other side of the road, workers were walking the rows picking great bunches of grapes, filling box after box.  Long rows of barrels glowed golden in the sun, waiting to be filled.

After taking pictures, I chatted with the winery manager for a bit about the weather, upcoming frost, gardening and the four giant beasts roaming the grounds, masquarading as dogs.  One German shepard looks large.  Four is enough to make even the biggest dog lover take a second look.

We got back on the road to a winery that boasted a large open yard.  While I fed Elizabeth, Kendra wandered the property taking pictures.  After my little baby had a full belly, we plopped her down amongst the fallen leaves and took a few pictures.  You didn't think I could take the little elf along and not take pictures, did you?

We finished our afternoon with lunch and a walk around town.

Per usual, my mind pictures were much more vivid than the ones I captured with my camera.  But practice makes perfect, yes?  Besides, it was a wonderful way to fill a fall day.

Here are a few more photos...