THE LOWLY SNAIL

Ok. So, this is a bit of a weird post I suppose. Because - if I'm being honest - I just spent the past hour wandering around our front yard at 6:00am in my bathrobe, in the rain, taking pictures of snails.  And, that is definitely behavior that could be considered weird.

But, I couldn't help myself.  Snails are just cool. Gross? Yes. Considered by many as garden pests? Yes. But, cool.

I remember when our family moved from Michigan to Southern California when I was 9 years old and I laid my eyes on a snail in our front yard for the first time. I was disgusted and intrigued all at once - what a bizarre little creature. It moved so slowly, and it was so slimy - leaving a little trail of nasty, oozy goo wherever it went. But, it's shell was so pretty - like seashells I'd seen (and secretly collected!) at the beach. I was enthralled.

So, that explains my behavior this morning. I guess I was revisiting my childhood a bit and rediscovering the lowly snail.

SHOOTING THE MOON

We've been having some very strange weather here in Southern California lately. Well, strange for Orange County in the month of May anyways.  One minute it's boiling hot and sunny, the next it's chilly and raining.

Last night some clouds were rolling through over the Full Moon as the next round of rain was coming in and it felt like Halloween in the middle of Spring. I expected a wolf to start howling and a black cat to run across my path (our black Pug did, if that counts?!?).   It was time to grab the camera and have some fun shooting the Moon.

WEEK #2 OF ANNE WATSON PHOTOGRAPHY'S FACEBOOK GIVE-AWAY CONTEST!

It's here! Week #2 of the Anne Watson Photography's Facebook Give-Away Contest!

Every week for four weeks I am posting a Weekly Photo on the Anne Watson Photo Facebook Page of an everyday object shot from an unusual angle.  Fans of the page simply need to comment on the photo to guess what it is, and if they guess correctly they'll be entered to win - it's that simple!

We are having four weekly winners (who will each win a matted & framed 5x7 print of their choice from the Anne Watson Photography galleries), and one Grand Prize winner chosen from a pool of those who guess all four weekly photos correctly (who will win a matted & framed 8x10 print of their choice).

Below is a preview of this week's photo - can you guess what this everyday object is?! If so, just click here to be taken to our Facebook page and comment to enter your guess!... Good luck!

WEEK #1 OF ANNE WATSON PHOTOGRAPHY'S FACEBOOK GIVE-AWAY CONTEST!

One of my favorite things about photography is the opportunity it gives me to look at the world from a new perspective and see things differently than I ever have before.  Through the lens of my camera, everyday objects can take on an entirely new form, and it's thrilling to find such beauty all around us.

So, I thought it would be fun to incorporate this theory into the next Anne Watson Photography's Facebook Give-Away Contest!

For the next four weeks I am going to post a Weekly Photo on the Anne Watson Photo Facebook Page of an everyday object shot from an unusual angle.  Fans of the page simply need to comment on the photo to guess what it is, and if they guess correctly they'll be entered to win - it's that simple!

We'll have four weekly winners (who will each win a matted & framed 5x7 print of their choice from the Anne Watson Photography galleries), and one Grand Prize winner chosen from a pool of those who guess all four weekly photos correctly (who will win a matted & framed 8x10 print of their choice). 

Below is a preview of this week's photo - can you guess what this everyday object is?! If so, just click here to be taken to our Facebook page and comment to enter your guess!... Good luck and happy guessing!

SMALL, BUT MIGHTY BEANS - THE BEAUTY OF COFFEE

I am a self-proclaimed coffee fanatic and seriously do not know (and for the sake of those around me, don't want to know!) what would happen if I had to get through a day without my morning caffeine fix. 

And, not just any ol' coffee will do.  I'm afraid that, thanks to both the years I've lived in Italy as well as the numerous lessons I've had from my coffee-roaster/professional barrista brother Jeff Clinard (who also just happens to work for one of the best coffee shops in town, Portola Coffee Lab, managing their super-informative Portola Coffee blog) I have become a full-blown coffee snob. I find it hard to settle for anything less than delicious coffee... freshly ground, preferably french-pressed... ahhh, that SMELL. Sends shivers down my spine!

I plan to do a series of photo shoots over the coming weeks featuring coffee - from the roasting process, to espresso machines and brewing, to latte art... all the good stuff.

But, first things first.  Let's take a closer look at the source of it all. The bean...
 

SPRING HAS SPRUNG

I love the Spring.  New life blooming everywhere, and I get to exercise my green thumb again after resting it over the Winter.

Yesterday I awoke to a gorgeous sunrise after an overnight Spring shower had dotted our garden in raindrops and felt so inspired, I just had to run for my camera...

Multi-colored basil plants

The English Lavender with its amazing aroma!

Rose buds, dripping with raindrops

Broccoli, making its Spring debut!

A little unwanted visitor, enjoying some basil sprouts

Chives, ready to pick!

Red onion, soaking up the sunrays

Delicate Yellow Violas

Blooming white roses

Fresh Oregano sprouting up!

EXPLORING THE LIVE MUSIC CAPITAL OF THE WORLD - AUSTIN, TEXAS

I've been M.I.A. recently... and, I am happy to report that the reason for my online absence was due to a much-needed vacation.  It was time to get away, switch off the ol' noggin and soak up some American culture in the Lone Star State.

Tim and I celebrated our one-year wedding anniversary last Saturday, April 9th with a week-long adventure to Austin, Texas - the 'Live Music Capital of the World'. We loved it. Because, with all of that music, Texas BBQ, cold beer and sunshine - what's not to love?!  Plus, it's full of surprises around every corner that make for some great photo ops...

(To view the full gallery, click here to visit our page & become a fan of Anne Watson Photography on Facebook!)