Photo Walk Under Ominous Clouds Yields Scenic Surprises

Mustard in Meadow under Stormy Sky, © B. Radisavljevic

I was not in the mood to go for a walk today, but made myself go, even though it appeared it would be raining soon. I had intended to drive out to Sculpterra, a favorite local local winery, so that I could walk around the grounds without ever getting too far from shelter. But when I saw the sky over this bright green and yellow landscape, I parked across the street from it in an industrial park and decided to take my photo walk right there.


I parked in the lot for Flight Environments, which makes plane interiors. I couldn't help but notice how the mirror windows reflected the landscape from across the road. They were more like picture windows.

Meadow Reflected in Commercial Building Windows, © B. Radisavljevic

  I'm still trying to figure out what the flag on the right side of the photo represents. The closest I can some is the state flag of Colorado. Perhaps the wind is blowing it so it shows backwards. Here is a photo of the Colorado flag.

The original Flag of Colorado did not specify the size of sun and "C". As a result, many variations existed. Some contained the large "C" as on on the current flag while others wholly inscribed within the white stripe. In 1964, the Colorado government specified the size and position of the "C". (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Below is a closer look at the scenes in two of the windows.

Expanded View of Meadow Reflected in Commercial Building Windows, © B. Radisavljevic

I finally got to the end of the block and walked left on a private road leading toward some vineyards on a hill. Along the way were many wildflowers and I spent a lot of time trying to capture the many flying hawks with my camera. The sky was a full as an airport, but I don't have room to show all those photos I took here.

Private Road Leading Toward Vineyards, © B. Radisavljevic

As the sky became more ominous, I knew it was time to head back to the car. This was my view as I began to head west again. The hills you see in the distance are on the other side of Highway 101, about a seven minute drive away unless all the lights are red. That's where I found the almond trees blooming last week.

Looking West Toward the Hills, © B. Radisavljevic

As I was almost back to the car, I saw the sun shining through the clouds, and then the drops began to hit me as I was almost to the car. I'm glad I took the walk because I saw so much I wanted to photograph. If it weren't for having my camera with me, I probably wouldn't get out to walk nearly as often.

Radiant Beams of Sunshine through the Storm Clouds, © B. Radisavljevic

If you enjoyed these photos, please share. The photo below is just  right for Pinterest. I shows some of the birds I was able to capture on camera. 

Have you seen anything beautiful or memorable today?

Oaks and Wires in Paso Robles

Oaks and Wires in Paso Robles: © Barbara Radisavljevic

Paso Robles translates in English to Pass of the Oaks. It is very hard to go anywhere in Paso Robles without seeing an oak tree nearby. Unfortunately, almost everywhere in the city limits you see trees, you also see wires ruining the view of the sky and the trees.

This was the case today. I had stopped at Uptown Hair Studio to make an appointment for a haircut and I had parked in the lot behind the building. As I walked to my car I noticed six oak trees in what might have once been an oak forest. The alley divided them. The wires wove in and out among their tops. The photo above shows almost all the trees together. The photo below gives you a different view of the alley's right side.

Oaks and Wires: © Barbara Radisavljevic

I love always having an oak tree in view. I'm not so excited about the wires. But Barbara Rosenthal found a way to turn them into art in her paintings. Perhaps it takes an artist's eye to see the possibiities .

You can click the photos to make them bigger.