“Where flowers bloom so does hope.”
~Lady Bird Johnson
White Barn and Mustard, Sonoma
Mustard for Miles
Oak
Hands Up!
“You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one. I hope someday you’ll join us. And the world will live as one.”
― John Lennon
Rows and Rows
Mustard Bloom
Vines
“Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.”
~Desmond Tutu
Sunlight and Vines
Vineyard Patterns
Mustard in Winter
“Above all, bring a lot of joy to your work.”
~Fred Lyon
Mustard Field
Blooming
Jane Lurie Photography 
So pretty!
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Thanks so much.
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I know mustard under the delicious form as a seasoning but not as a plant. I have never seen such mustard fields. It is so beautiful and even nicer between the vineyards 🙂 I also love the barn. Great shots, Jane!
Warm regards, Heidi
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My Dear, You sure know how to make a California boy living in Texas homesick! Your photos, as always, are simple stunning! Went to school in Napa Valley and made lots of road trips there from Sacramento! Bellissimo, Jane!
xoxo
I know I’ve asked you quite awhile back, but might I entice you into illustrating a poem or two of mine? Your choice? You could consider it penance? Ha!
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Hi RP- Thank you! And how wonderful that you lived there. I’m so glad they brought back good memories.
I would be happy to collaborate. Send me an email through my contact form and let me know what you are envisioning. Thanks for asking. 😊
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This is one of those series of images where I have a big smile the entire time as I gaze through each one slowly, & then again all over again.
Plus juxtaposed with the dark times of recent fires , give sheer hope .
Joyful!
Thank you!💛
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Thank you, Diane. This season of mustard was one of the best — a gift of hope for that area. So glad you enjoyed these images.
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such a wonderful Serie !! I love it so much !!!
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Thanks so much, Doris. It is such a beautiful time of year in the vineyards.
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This is really beautiful!
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Thanks very much, Petra. Glad you enjoyed them.
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What a glorious vivid colour, lights up everything around it.
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Thank you, Pauline. It’s a wonderful time of year in wine country before the grapes (and crowds) come. 😉
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Thanks for the lovely post and uplifting reminder of the power and beauty of nature. Hope the sun is shining in your part of the country!
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Thanks so much, Patti. We’re having some welcome rain in SF this week…can’t complain. 🙂 Hope all is well with you!
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😊😊Yes, thanks.
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Love the bursting aliveness of all the yellow flowers. The contrast with the dark repeating pattern of the vines is powerful. Not only the dark/light contrast, but also the contrast between the structured rows of vines and the freewheeling mustard all over the place.
My favorite photo is the one with the leafless tree standing tall, bridging the field of yellow with the misty mountains in the distance.
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Hi Arati, How nice to read your thoughtful reaction to this series. You’ve pointed out some of the aspects I love about this time of year…the stark vines against the mustard is really gorgeous. I am always on a hunt for bare California Oaks and that one you mentioned was a good find in the midst of the mustard. Thank you so much for your lovely comment.
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Just beautiful – I love mustard – do they plant it as a ground cover or does it grow as a weed? c
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Hi Cecilia, Thank you very much. It is planted as a cover crop to add nutrients (and beauty) to the soil in the winter. I came across an interesting article from one of the vineyards that describes the process. I appreciate you stopping by! http://www.kj.com/blog/why-are-cover-crops-vineyards
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Fantastic photos of the mustard fields, Jane. I am glad you were able to capture vineyards that didn’t get swept by the firestorm. I am a Sonoma Co. resident and am still displaced by the fires that raged through my home and community five months ago today. I am living in nearby Marin until repairs can be started and then completed. All the other years I am accustomed to watching the mustard pop out of the ground throughout the spring, but not this year, due to living elsewhere. So you can imagine how heartening and hopeful it is to look at your photos here, thank you.
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Dear Jet, I am so sorry for your loss. How devastating and I know it will be a long haul for you to rebuild. I’m glad this series brought some warmth and hope to you. Good luck with it all and I am glad that you weren’t harmed.
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Thank you for your kind words and warm wishes, Jane, much appreciated.
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This is so beautiful 🙂
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Hi Joshi, Thank you. It is a fabulous time of year in the vineyards. Glad you like them. 🙂
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Gorgeous!
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Thanks so much, Caroline!
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Beautiful colour and old barns. Love it.
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Thank you, Lisa. I love old barns, too. Sad that so many are crumbling. Glad you enjoyed these.
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Those yellows really pop into your eyes, don’t they! Amazing to see this series of spring when I am still surrounded by winter where I am. You photos make me happy and inspired. Gorgeous images, Jane.
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Hi Otto, I was compelled to bring down the vibrancy of some f them in post, they were almost hurting my eyes. It really is quite a sight and a wonderful experience photographing the vineyards at this time of year. Glad they warmed you a bit. Hope spring is knocking on your door soon. Thanks so much for your positive response.
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Hi Jane! What stunning photographs and wonderful quotes. You have now made me very homesick for California!
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Hi Sherry, Thank you! I’m glad these brought back some good California memories for you!
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They certainly did! Thank you again Jane! 🙂
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Stunning! Jane it’s great to see all of this beautiful YELLLOW mustard. Well done. In this case I’ll enthralled with it all.
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Thank you, Tim. It’s a great year, isn’t it? Such fun to get immersed in all the yellow! Glad you enjoyed. 😊🌼
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It has been and with the recent rains we’ll be seeing more green and flowers. Yes!
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Oooooh! Those yellows – glorious Jane. The John Lennon quote is always so moving. It says it all.
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Thanks so much, Andrew. Lennon’s quote helps me feel more hopeful. Glad you agree.
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Love the contrast between the vibrant mustard blooms and the stark grape vines patiently waiting for their time to green.
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Thank you, Atreyee. I think that’s what I love best about these scenes. Well said and glad you enjoyed them.
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That classic white barn again. 🙂
We have bits of green here and there, mostly brown pending a springtime snow.
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Hi David, Except it’s not so white anymore… glad springtime is knocking on your door. Thanks for stopping by! 😊
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Out of this world, Indeed! Beautifully captured, Jane.
I love Lady Bird’s quote, she truly is a nature lover. 🙂
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Thanks, Amy. Much appreciated! Lady Bird would approve. 😉🌼
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She sure would. 💖
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It looks like the beginning of a beautiful spring, Jane.
Your photographs are wonderful.
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Thanks very much, Lisa. It got cold again in SF after I shot these so the memories are keeping me warm. Hope you are surviving the storm in the northeast ok!
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Love this post…hard to pick my most favorite bloom!
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Thank you, Linda. It’s a pretty magical time of year in the vineyards. Happy you enjoyed them! 😘
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Beutiful captures. I have never been in a field where mustard grows. Does it smell like mustard. Sometimes smell is only produced after processing
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Thanks, Abrie. They don’t seem to have a florally or mustard smell but you’re right, I bet the seeds do. Glad you enjoyed these!
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What a delight, Jane! …for Miles, Vines, Patterns, in Winter and Blooming are wonderful compositions – I guess that’s called working the scene, right? 😉 And it’s really nice to have the closeup and the scene with the road and barn included, as well as the mustard field that isn’t in a vineyard. You brought the joy….now have a great Sunday! 😉
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Hi Lynn, Your reaction means a lot. Thank you! You nailed it…it is rather contemplative working the scenes in the vineyards. There’s so much going on with the patterns and busy scenes. Your thoughts are so appreciated– hope you have a great Sunday, too. For us, it’s all about the Oscars. 🙂
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Spectacular.
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Thank you so much, Paulie. Much appreciated.
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Thanks Jane Lurie for sharing this beautiful experience.
Wish I could be there, sitting on the ground with my eyes closed, listening to the mustard grows.
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Thanks very much, Marcelo. It is a beautiful and peaceful place this time of year. You would enjoy a meditation in the mustard. 🙂
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Love the vibrant yellows!
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It almost makes my eyes ache, the colors are so intense, Ladyfi. Pleased you enjoyed this series- thanks very much!
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Beautiful series, so fresh and joyful! It made my day 🙂
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Hi Caroletta, Happy you enjoyed it… a breath of spring and cheer. Thanks very much and hope you have a great day! 🙂
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Stunning Post Jane as always 🙂
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Thanks so much, Jake. A hint of spring. 🙂
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It’s that time of the year! So beautiful Jane! Yellow flowers (of any kind) have always been my favorite. Thank you for sharing these beautiful fields.
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Hi Maria, Yes…and it’s been a good one…very lush. Nice to see things bouncing back. Happy you enjoyed these yellows–thank you!
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Spring is a happy time! Enjoy your Sunday 🙂
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So yellow, so warm. Here is still -15 degrees by night …
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Brrrrrr, Awa! I am very happy to warm you with these yellows. Thanks very much.
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You did. Thank you too 🙂
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this is amazing and beautiful reflection, the colors made our day just like a music!!!
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So true, Mihran! I’m happy you like this series– thanks so much.
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Reminds me of a Beatles song …. something like “Mustard Fields Forever …” My favourite is that first image with the road drawing the viewer into the image past that beautiful rustic barn. And the closeup shot of the mustard bloom!
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Thanks very much, Michael. That barn is a favorite spot (for many…). Glad you liked the variety of shots. Much appreciated!
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I have never seen anything like this, how lovely. The macro is gorgeous.
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Thanks, Dina. It is really surprising to see all the vibrant yellow throughout the vineyards. I do like to get in some close-up work when I’m up there– glad you enjoyed!
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Beautiful photos this week, Jane. I love the closeup of the Mustard bloom.
Ω
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Thanks so much, Allan. It’s such a pretty bloom– glad you like them.
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We have some Mustard on our hillside in the backyard and I’m hoping that the rain we’ve been getting kick-starts it into blooming.
Ω
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Lovely to see, especially since we have a layer of snow on the ground here!
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Thanks, Amy….hopefully these warmed you up a bit. Pleased you enjoyed them.
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just gorgeous Jane….the colors are quite incredible…the ‘white barn’ is magnificent!
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Thanks very much, April. It’s a good year for mustard and I was glad that we got to the white barn (not so white anymore…). Fun to see wine country this time of year.
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Lovely shots! Is the mustard harvested as a crop or just growing wild among the vines? Brian
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Hi Brian, Glad you enjoyed these images- thank you so much.
Mustard is planted as a cover crop to enrich the soil in the vineyards.
Here’s an interesting overview from one of the wineries : http://www.kj.com/blog/why-are-cover-crops-vineyards
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Thanks for that Jane, a very interesting read they say you learn something everyday, better than artificial fertiliser.
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Indeed!
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In spring, we also see these yellow seas in certain regions: rapeseed (canola) to the horizon
But it will be some time before the rapeseeds grow and bloom
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Hi Andre, I know they are closely related — they sure look the same. It sure brings a bright spot to an early spring. Thanks for stopping by!
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Beautiful images, Jane! The contrast of the yellow and the vines is striking, as are the lines.
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Thank you, Ellen. Photographing the vineyards is a fun challenge– so many angles and patterns and it changes dramatically with the seasons. Glad you enjoyed the early spring version.
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It’s great to have a place you can watch change.
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Poetry in motion…looking forward to them days
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Thank you, Paula. Glad they gave you a moment of warmth. 😉
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Fields of yellow. Wow. Each shot a winner. Reading the comments, you mentioned rapeseed and mustard can be similar…so is canola which we get here in Australia in our Spring 🙂 Enjoy your spring, Jane. Maybe you will get to capture more fields like these 🙂
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Thanks so much, Mabel. You are correct, rapeseed and canola both fall under the mustard family. I’m pleased you enjoyed these fields. Hope you are doing well. 🙂
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Good to see the vineyards so prolific after the fires Jane. Beautiful captures as always.
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Thanks, Tina. It’s great that there is something to photograph in every season. I haven’t seen any vineyards that were burned, although I am sure there were some.
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Utterly beautiful series of these wonderful scenes. You tossed me right back to my first years in California when I saw these fields covered in mustard. Then the solid fields of California poppy and lupine. There are some of my really great memories sprinkled in these images.
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Thank you, Gunta. I’m glad these brought back good memories of this incredible place. Every season has something to offer here.
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Wow! These are great shots.
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Thanks very much, Rebel Guy. I feel lucky to live near this area. Glad you enjoyed!
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The joyous renewal of spring – beautiful captures, Jane!
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Yes indeed, Eliza. Happy you like these. Thank you!
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Now that’s a happy crop! Makes me smile just looking at that bright happiness spreading all over the fields.
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Me, too, Lex. It’s a serene place to photograph. Glad you enjoyed– thank you!
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Awesome quotes!
Awesome photography!
Awesome post! 🙂
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Wow, Maysa, thanks for the awesome response! 😊So glad you stopped by.
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WOW! Such lovely images! Enjoy!
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Thanks so much, Roda. Glad you like them!
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These are beautiful images Jane 🙂 It looks like the weather is gorgeous also compared to the Nor’easter we are having back east.
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Thanks very much, Joe. A few weeks ago we had a warm spell but now it’s back to normal temps. Cold and thankfully, rainy this week. Hang in there with the storm and hope you are safe.
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I’m rather partial to the barn, but you have some really lovely shots here Jane. Was this region affected by the dreadful fires that swept through the vineyards last year? Those vines don’t seem to be showing many signs of growth, but maybe it is still a little early.
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Hi Jude, This is one of my favorite barns in the area. Glad you enjoyed the series, thank you. The fires weren’t that far from here yet most of the vineyards that I saw seemed unharmed. It is too early to see any growth on the vines– these vineyards are alive and well.
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Glad to hear that those vines are healthy. I’m quite fond of a Californian tipple 🙂
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😉
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Gorgeous photographs. I’m completely drawn in by the colour – the blue, the yellow. And Mustard for miles is a fabulous shot.
Alison
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Thank you, Allison. The colors that week were so vibrant. Happy you enjoyed them!
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They’re all beautiful photos but the depth of field in Mustard for Miles is amazing.
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Agree!
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Thank you, Sharon! 😊
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Thank you so much, Jane. That vineyard is wonderful and they don’t seem to mind me sneaking around. Glad you like them.
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Beautiful photos Jane!
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Thanks so much, Belinda. Such a pretty time of year in wine country.
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A delightful, sunny yellow series. Beautiful captures!
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Thank you, Donna. We needed a little warming up. Glad you enjoyed!
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Spring is in the air……sort of. Great shots….
On Fri, Mar 2, 2018 at 1:14 PM, Jane Lurie Photography wrote:
> Jane Lurie posted: “”Where flowers bloom so does hope.” ~Lady Bird Johnson > “You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one. I hope > someday you’ll join us. And the world will live as one.” ― John Lennon > ” >
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Thanks, Sue. It’s such a pretty time of year there. Yes…spring…sort of is right– so cold and rainy today!
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Well seen, .well done !
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Thank you, Bruce. It’s a lovely time of year there.
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This is truly wonderful I love the old, dark, boney vines between the fresh yellow mustard blooms, like the hands of old people waving at us. In my province they grow rapeseed, just as yellow in early summer. We don’t have mountains though, the ones embedding your mustard in a bluegrey boundery. Very pretty, and you captured it all beautifully.
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Thanks so much, Peter. I thought those vines sticking up looked like people, too. I think rapeseed and mustard are very closely related. I’m happy you enjoyed this series and really appreciate your thoughts.
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A feast to the eye – and to the soul as well.
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Thank you, Ann-Christine. You get it.
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♥
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Mustard for. miles is a great image, Jane
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Thanks so much, Sue. I was thrilled to find this huge swath of mustard.
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And rightly so!
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I have an affinity for barns and country roads so love that shot. Mustard For Miles is a beauty…the mustard disappearing into those hills.
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Thanks, Sharon. I love barns, too, and this one is a beauty (although they’ve let the white paint wear off…) Mustard for Miles is a great vista behind the barn. Happy you enjoyed them!
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Great pics, Jane.
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Thanks so much, Fred. 🙂
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wonderful pictures jane.
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Thank you, Robert. It’s a beautiful time of year there.
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