Saturday morning was going to be a quiet morning of not shooting but that all changed when I walked out to grab the morning paper and noted the sky was not only clear (as in no fog) but there were a few interesting  clouds visible in the early darkness.  Tossing the paper, grabbing cameras and a cup of tea I was out the door and headed Upvalley towards a few locations I thought might work for this sunrise.

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I’ve photographed this vineyard many times but never from this direction.  With this particular light and sunrise it worked with just a touch of light hitting the tops of the vines.

Somewhere down all these blog post is a note saying I was buried in images, backed up with edits, shooting in many directions and in the thick of a summer shoot fest, well maybe not worded exactly like that but let’s just say it’s been a busy time.  So today some of the photos from the past few weeks, not all the shoots but a sampling of what I’ve been up to.

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This photo was taken of the edge of To Kalon Vineyard in Oakville.  Another favorite vineyard of mine – both to shoot and in the glass.  Cheers!

After the heat of this week, Tuesday was 106 degrees, grapes are looking more mature and here in this photo cab grapes shaded by the leaves of the vines.

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Speaking of 106 degrees, seems I needed to get downtown to pick up my car and while I’ve run in hot weather before never this hot but I thought, why not?  I hydrated well, grabbed a water bottle and cell phone, in case I ended up on a curb or in a ditch, and ran just two miles but a very different two miles.  I found the run to be very physical but actually more mental in the sizzling heat.  I made it to my car, no problem, drank about ten cups of cold water, felt a bit dizzy, but actually fine.  Right now it’s still foggy here in the Valley so in a few minutes I’ll head out again for a run, a much safer and saner run.

This photo is simply about scouting and studying a location.  It’s a view  mentioned to me and one that when light, fog and or clouds are interesting it could make a fine image.

It’s been a very cool summer in the Bay Area and here in Napa Valley.  In this photo morning fog is well into burning off from the vineyards at Futo Wines in Oakville.

Rocca Wines were served at the Cave dinner during the 17th Annual Napa Pain Conference at the Meritage Resort which is a three-day event for doctors and health professionals in the field of pain medicine.

Very cool Erin and Simon are from DC, Simon and family from Australia, and were married at the Meritage Resort.  In this photo they are high above the resort and valley and among the vines.

Krista met Dani while visiting Spain…six years later married and now living in Napa.  Fun wedding!

More technicolor in the vineyard with veraison at Missouri Hopper Vineyard.  This photo taken August 11th just after the morning fog burned off in Oakville.

The beautiful and technicolor change of color in the grapes is happening in the vineyards.  Here in this photo Cabernet grapes at To Kalon Vineyard taken in the foggy morning light of the valley.