Kent Griswold

On one of our excursions into the Napa Valley we stopped at a new winery that had some very modern and unusual benches and chairs. This bench is much more interesting to look at than it is to sit in. It was extremely uncomfortable but was pleasing to the eye from an artistic point of view. What do you think, would you add this to your deck or patio?

This picture of the orchids was taken a couple of years ago at the Conservatory of Flowers in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, using my son Ted’s Canon Powershot SD200. You don’t have the depth of field control of a larger camera but the detail that came from the little camera is simply amazing.

I don’t want to overdo the castle so just this one more for this round of photos. I really liked some of the old lamps they had hanging around the castle, though most were modernized with a light bulb in them which kind of took away the old time look. I imagine all of these are all new but made to look old and rusty.

When we were at the castle the other day in Napa Valley, there was this beautiful red rose standing guard by one of the gate entrances. It was just sitting there asking to be photographed. Not an outstanding photograph but very pretty and worth sharing, or so I thought. You be the judge…

These trips back and forth from Pacific Union College where our son Ted is attending college has made for some new photo opportunities. Although not wine drinkers, we enjoy visiting the wineries to view the architecture and landscaping as well as seeing the vines change colors this fall. Yesterday, we stopped by the Castello di Amorosa for the first time and that was quite the experience, if you have not been there be sure and check out their website.

Last spring my wife and I went camping at one of the Bodega Bay campgrounds and one afternoon we went hiking up on the headlands overlooking the bay. Some of the seagulls can be very friendly and this one let me get as close as a few feet away from him. This was my favorite pose from the group and I thought you might enjoy it too.

This little old touring car was in a shop in Mendocino and though I decided I did not need to add it to my collection I thought a photograph would be a great way to remember it by. I like the title Run-A-Muk and the company stressing the simpler times, it makes me want to grab a canoe and go relax on a lake somewhere in the mountains.

This is another photo from our recent trip to Mendocino Village on the Northern California coast. I really liked this sign and the flowers next to it were really beautiful. They almost look fake because they are so perfect. They are very real however…

Rain drops and fall leaves resting on our back patio table produced some unique leaf patterns. The veins in the leaves are creative structures with lines and patterns visible and enhance by the water droplets.

Chimney Rock Winery which is located on the Silverado Trail in California’s Napa Valley. The winery is inspired by the Cape Dutch-inspired architecture. This photograph was taken with my little point and shoot camera.