Tag: Landscape Photography

Natural Bridges: Beauty, Bears, and Backaches Picture of the Month - Natural Bridges National Monument

Eroded rock overhang with dark varnish stains in Natural Bridges National Monument
Ancient Waterway Overhang with Varnish Stains—Sedimentary layers and mineral stains highlight the geological history of this Natural Bridges formation.

I may not be the rugged outdoorsman that I appear to be. Until two years ago, Queen Anne’s and my camping world revolved around our little Casita trailer. We took it everywhere, from the Grand Canyon to Alaska. However, we had to part with it due to unforeseen circumstances and began using motels for our overnight trips.

As much as we enjoy watching The Big Bang Theory reruns in our motel room at night, it’s not the same as sitting around a campfire under the stars and eating Jimmyums. Recently, I decided that I would get back to basics on my next photo shoot—and the perfect opportunity was coming up.

Queen Anne’s Adventure

Anne’s sister Jane called about one of her bucket list items: a road trip to Utah’s Mighty-Five National Parks. Anne jumped at the chance to travel with her sister and even offered to drive. Their tour started for two weeks but got whittled down to a week by the time they left. While they were off ‘Thelma and Louise’-ing their way across the Beehive State, I decided to use that time to explore the Bears Ears National Monument near Blanding. After all, when we bought the Turd—my RAV4—I made sure there was room for me to stretch out in the back.

View of Owachomo Bridge from the canyon rim in Natural Bridges National Monument
Natural Beauty: Owachomo Bridge from Above- The delicate span of Owachomo Bridge is set against the rugged canyon landscape.

Preparation for the Trip

As I prepared for my adventure, I dug out the remains of our camping gear from the attic and added some kitchen items to augment them. Since I’d be alone, I bought a bunch of canned goods for food, reducing the need for an ice chest. I always heated them on my single-burner propane stove when I camped as a younger man. Besides, Cup-O-Noodles and coffee make for an easy, warm meal on those chilly mornings.

One thing I splurged on was a heavy-duty air mattress. I can no longer tolerate sleeping on a hard surface without a cushion. The one I bought from Amazon was designed to fit in the back of SUVs. It’s T-shaped and broad at the back doors, then narrows between the wheel wells. Another nice feature is that each side inflates independently—so I could pack my camp boxes on the deflated side while day traveling. Did I mention that it was guaranteed not to leak? Yeah, about that…

Once the girls got a head start, I carefully packed my new mattress, all of my photo gear, plenty of clean socks and undies, and the rest of my provisions into the Turd and set off on my 9-hour journey to Natural Bridges National Monument in Utah. On the road again—what could go wrong?

The Struggle

I arrived at the park after 4:00 p.m., so the campground was full. I expected that, but the BLM runs the Mani-La Sal forest, so throw-down camping is permitted, and I had ample time to find a good spot. Before long, I backed into a lovely level spot surrounded by Ponderosa pines beneath the towering red cliffs of Bears Ears.

The air had a damp-cool chill, so I put on the sweater I brought before setting up camp. Since I didn’t have a table, I used my sturdy camp box for one, which doubled as an ottoman after dinner. I stowed the rest of my boxes on the truck roof to keep them out of the dirt.

After emptying the back of the Turd, I unrolled my mattress and started inflating it using the portable pump that it came with. Before I began to inflate the passenger side, I looked closely at the sky and felt it would rain, so I moved the rest of my boxes back inside along the flaccid side of the bed. It cramped my bed space, but I’d be fine since I wasn’t planning on spooning with a bear.

Before dinner, I had time to wander and capture video clips of the red cliffs and trees in the sunset. Upon returning to camp, I prepared an Epicurean meal of warmed-over canned ravioli, a cup of peaches, and a cup of tapioca pudding. As the night grew late, I gathered my things and climbed into the back of the truck. Ah! The life of Reilly.

Outside was silence except for the trees rustling in the gentle breeze—a cowboy’s lullaby. The yellow moonlight was coming in the passenger side windows as I dozed off. I watched it a bit before snuggling into my sleeping bag as sleep crept over me.

The next thing I knew was feeling uncomfortable and opening my eyes to figure out the irritation. The moonlight was now at the back door, so hours must have passed. The mattress still had air, and the sleeping bag was warm. What’s nagging me? Then it hit me: as an old man with a prostate the size of a grapefruit, I had to pee. The one thing that I hadn’t taken into consideration. I needed to get up and out of the truck—NOW.

First, I untangled myself from the twisted sleeping bag and opened the zipper. I began feeling around for my boots, and as I tried to put them on, the laces were tight, so I had to fix that. Once I had them on my feet, I opened the door on my right. While grabbing the handle over it, I tried lifting my legs and pivoting them out the opening, but my right leg got caught in the useless seat belt harness. After freeing myself from the straps, I successfully extracted myself. As I slowly unrolled into a standing position, my back said, “Don’t ever do that again.” But it was not to be. Simone Biles would have been proud to pull off that gymnastics routine once, but I did it three more times that night—and my back seized up in protest.

View of Kachina Bridge from the canyon rim in Natural Bridges National Monument
Natural Splendor: Kachina Bridge from the Rim-Kachina Bridge’s grand arch spans the lush canyon below, offering a stunning contrast of colors.

Where’s My Towel?

I could barely walk when I got out of the truck the final time. Dawn lit the eastern sky, so I hobbled over to my chair and managed to put on a pot of water. As I sat and drank my instant coffee, I pondered my predicament. I had driven a long way and hadn’t snapped a single photo, but I certainly couldn’t spend another night injuring myself in the truck. Not until I can figure out a better method of extracting myself.

I threw in the towel. After my coffee, I started packing the truck, including the camp box that was now too heavy for me to move. I had to remove its contents, then drag the big empty box into the Turd, and finally repack it.

Play Through the Pain

After I had loaded the RAV4, I drove back to the park’s visitor center. It was closed, and I had the entire park to myself. I convinced myself that I could do some shooting even if it meant not hiking down into the canyons. So, as daylight broke, I raced another car from Texas from overlook to overlook, taking pictures. Where the hikes were level and short, I walked like Quasimodo, pulling myself on the handrails where I could.

Storm clouds gathering over Cedar Mesa Sandstone in Natural Bridges National Monument
Thunderstorm Approaching Cedar Mesa Sandstone in Utah – The interplay of storm clouds and Cedar Mesa Sandstone highlights the raw beauty of Natural Bridges.

Notes To Future Self

After I returned home and reviewed my images on the computer, I was happy to find they were publishable—I must have been on auto-pilot. They weren’t the ones I hoped to get, but that encouraged me to return soon. Even hiking in pain may have been beneficial. My back feels much better after a week of rest and light work. The constant low-level pain is there, but that’s how people my age know which of their body parts are still attached. I also conjured some strategery for the next trip—like providing a handy stash for my car keys, opening the tailgate with my remote, and then rolling over on my hands and knees and backing out that door. I’m also going to keep a pair of loafers in the Turd.

Thank you for joining us again this month. I hope you enjoyed my Utah horror story more than I did. As we customarily do, larger versions of my photos are available for you to examine on my website <Jim’s New Work> and on the pages that I created on Fine Art America <FAA Page>. They will be on display for three months before being rotated. Finally, Queen Anne and I can hardly wait to hear the ribbing you’ll give in the comment section. Please share your thoughts about the photos, camping, Utah, or travel horror stories. We love to hear from you.

Until then, keep your spirits high and your Ben Gay handy.
jw.

Winter’s Veil: Snowy Peaks Along AZ 89 Picture or the Week - Congress, Arizona

Road leading to snow-covered Weaver Mountains in Arizona under blue skies
Winter’s Veil: Snowy Peaks Along AZ 89—The scenic Route AZ 89 cuts through the arid terrain, leading towards the snow-laden Weaver Mountains. It captures a rare and serene moment of winter’s touch in the heart of Arizona’s landscape.

Growing up in Pennsylvania, snow days were the surprise holiday every kid dreamed of. Schools shuttered—not just for our safety, I reckon, but for teachers to catch a break, too. We, oblivious to any danger, greeted the snow with the enthusiasm a child could muster. Clad in mittens, we carved new paths with our sleds, turning the white blanket into our playground. Then, the West Coast called, and I bid farewell to those spontaneous winter celebrations—until the desert showed me it, too, could play host to such marvels.

Fast forward a few decades to last month’s surprise in the desert. Snow days, they returned, albeit cloaked in an Arizona guise. The saguaros, sentinels in their own right, stood frosted—a sight as unexpected as snowflakes in the sunshine. And just like that, the desert transformed into a wintery ballroom, with creatures great and small stepping out for a dance in their frost-touched finery. The desert, it seems, had been harboring its childhood joy, awaiting just the right moment to release it into the wild.

School’s Out For Everyone

The desert flora isn’t just tough; it’s runway-ready, even in the cold. Take the plant in Desert Glow—it might look like a typical weed, but as the sun breaks, it turns into a golden firework. You could say it’s the desert’s way of holding onto the warmth any way it can, glowing defiantly against the nippy morning air.

Imagine, if you will, the desert’s snow day transforming into an arena for the most endearing of animal antics. Jackrabbits accessorize with fluffy earmuffs, while roadrunners trade their famed sprint for graceful glides across the ice. Enter the mule deer, the unexpected champions of snowball mischief. They masterfully dip their noses into the snow, crafting frosty pellets in their nostrils only to launch them at unsuspecting quail. It’s as if the desert whispers its tales of frolic and play under the winter sky. Here, amidst the silence of the snow, the fauna engages in a playful dodgeball match, where snowballs fly, and laughter echoes through the crisp air.

Out here, snow angels are more like snow lizards, and snowball fights are postponed due to lack of thumbs. But the quails seem delighted by the extra fluff on the ground and the coyotes? Let’s say they’ve never seen their shadow quite like this before.

Backlit desert plant glowing with a straw flower-like appearance at sunrise
Desert Glow: Sunrise Illuminates a Wild Shrub – A desert plant, bathed in the warm morning sunlight, transforms into a beacon of golden radiance against the tranquil backdrop of the Southwestern wilderness.

The Photos

The quest to capture nature’s impromptu art show was not without its slapstick moments—convincing a cactus wren it wasn’t auditioning for March of the Penguins or mistaking a cholla’s frosty disguise for a benign bush, a prickly mistake I won’t soon forget. Yet amidst these playful blunders, a simple desert shrub, caught in the soft glow of dawn, stole the show, its silhouette aglow with a warmth that only the morning sun could paint.

However, the lead in this week’s wintry saga is Arizona 89, our gateway to the high country. This asphalt ribbon, featured in Winter’s Veil, guides us from the snow’s gentle beginnings at the Weaver’s base, ascending to a crescendo of white in Prescott, where the snow day is not a mere memory but a living joy for children who, much like I once did, greet the snow with hearts wide open and sleds at the ready.

As the sun sets on our desert snow day, we’re reminded that life can sparkle, even with a chill in the air. And just like the desert after a rare snowfall, we come out on the other side, a little bit stronger and much more enjoyable. For a closer look at the day’s enchantment, I’ve posted larger versions of this week’s images on my website and Fine Art America. Feel the crisp air and witness the silent dance of winter in the desert by clicking [here for my website] and [here for FAA].

I’d love to hear about your most unexpected nature encounters! Please share your stories in the comments below, and let’s swap tales of when the weather went wild. Did you snap any cool critter pics? Let’s see them!

Until our next frosty surprise, keep your gloves close and your camera closer, but don’t put your tongue on the frozen glass.
jw

March Survey

Don’t forget to take a minute to fill out our March survey. Your feedback is as rare and valuable as snow in the Sonoran, and it helps us keep our content as fresh as a winter bloom. You’re all set if you filled it out last week—thank you! If not, here’s another chance to help shape our newsletter. Find the survey [here] or at the top of this email.

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WPA Legacy: The Historic Cattle Dam of Gold Butte Picture of the Week - Mesquite, Nevada

WPA-built stone dam between rock formations in Gold Butte National Monument, captured by Jim Witkowski.
WPA Legacy: The Historic Cattle Dam of Gold Butte – Stepping Through Time: This WPA-constructed dam at Gold Butte stands as a rugged monument to past endeavors, harmonizing with the arid beauty that surrounds it. A silent witness to history, its stones speak of a bygone era of hope and hard work.

Victorious in my quest to capture the ancient whispers etched into stone, I returned to our trusty steed, the Turd. There, amidst the dust and echoes of bygone civilizations, sat Queen Anne; her latest book–escape, concluded. Her gaze met mine, an unspoken dialogue of adventure’s end, punctuated by a brief, ‘Can we go now?’ Her tone carried the weight of a royal decree, yet I knew the kingdom’s treasury of wonders still had one gem left to unveil.

At the end of the infamous paved road, you can turn south towards the abandoned town of Gold Butte or go straight towards the Arizona border and the Grand Canyon—Parashant National Monument. Both roads are equally evil to drive on, but I wanted to find another relic of history—a WPA-era dam, so I started east. We didn’t travel far because I spotted a cistern on the left as soon as we drove through the first dry wash. I pulled the truck over and grabbed my camera.

The cistern looked like a dry concrete bathtub, and a rusty pipe beckoned from the cistern to a narrow canyon on the right. A couple of creosote bushes blocked the view (and the path), so I brushed them back with my arm and saw the dam. It looked like a scale model of the Hoover Dam 50 miles downstream. Although it was built in the 30s and no longer maintained, it looked like it would still hold water if you closed the gate and valves. It is another testament to those folks’ work during the Great Depression.

After getting some shots, I wanted to see how deep the backside was, which meant climbing the stairs. In my younger days, I would have said, “Nothing to it,” and jogged up the stairs. But there’s no handrail, and my balance isn’t the same, so I did it the hard way—backing up one step at a time while sitting on my butt. I got my dose of vertigo and started back down the stairs when three outdoorsmen walked through the slot. My face turned red, and I apologized, “Sorry guys, this is how we geezers climb stairs these days.” One of them quipped, “We understand—Mister Girly-Boy.”

An erosion-formed window in a sandstone canyon wall, illuminated by sunlight at Gold Butte, photographed by Jim Witkowski.
Nature’s Art Frame: The Erosion Window of Gold Butte -Carved by the patient hands of time and elements, this erosion window in Gold Butte’s canyon wall frames a story millions of years in the making—each layer a verse in earth’s grand narrative.

This week’s other photo is of a natural erosion window along the canyon’s narrow. Unless you’re the stature of our friend and frequent commenter, Deb Poteet, you can frame your face with it by standing on your toes. As usual, Anne wouldn’t get out of the car, so I had to settle for shooting the opening without her pretty face. Still, it’s pretty cool.

In the mirror

Queen Anne and I covered a lot of ground this year. We visited two California Wine regions without being tossed out on our ears. We followed some of our favorite trails and got reacquainted with the charming cities of Bisbee, Tombstone, and Douglas. We explored the Beeline Highway and the Mazatzal Mountains, shot wildflowers in the spring, got caught in a monsoon storm at sunset, and discovered some fantasy shapes in Prescott’s Granite Dells City Park. With pandemic restrictions lifted, we did a decent job of broadening our range and bringing you more diversity with this year’s photos and stories.

This has been a year of growing for us. I’ve tried to improve my writing skills. I completed a couple of online creative writing courses. You’d think it would make my work more manageable, but it didn’t. What I used to knock out on a Sunday morning now takes me three days of writing, editing, and revising before I’m ready to publish. I also invested in a grammar checker that—hopefully—gets most of the commas in the right places.

I’ve been tinkering with my photo processes by watching online photographers. I picked up some new tips and tricks, which I’ve tried to pass along to you in the Techniques section. I think you found them helpful because I’ve received positive feedback from you. Finally, to attract new subscribers, we started producing monthly YouTube videos. In each of the last few months, I converted one of my static portfolios into a five-ish-minute video with music and voice-overs. With these new videos, we’re blending the old-world charm of static images with the zippy excitement of moving pictures—without the smell of darkroom chemicals. It seems to be working because my web traffic is on the rise.

Through the windshield

I have an Arizona wall map on our laundry room wall with colored dots indicating the places we’ve visited in the last couple of years. Instead of being evenly distributed, two empty spots glare at me from the map. The first is along the southern border between Nogales and Yuma. Since that’s restricted chiefly to military ranges, there’s not a lot I can photograph without starring in my impromptu sequel to North by Northwest. The other section is the northeast corner of Arizona—the Navajo and Hopi reservations. I intend to paste a dot or two in that corner next year. Maybe you could suggest some locations.

There’s more to discover at Gold Butte National Monument. I plan to return this spring if the Turd’s crummy tires ever wear out. Getting stuck out there without communication is a genuine concern for us. Some sights we missed this year include Devil’s Throat, the remains of Gold Butte’s ghost town, and Little Finland.

Finally, next year’s wine region adventure will be in Northern California. Will it be Napa, Sonoma, or the Russian River? Let us know where your favorite California wine comes from. We haven’t picked a winner yet, but the trip will be in August. As Samuel Clements once said, “The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco.” Some dispute that the quote is genuine, but for us desert dwellers, it’s a challenge.

Queen Anne and I wish you a very happy and prosperous New Year. We hope you’ll continue joining us on our escapades and maybe invite some friends. We’re always delighted to see you in the back seat. Feel free to share your New Year’s adventure plans in the comments below. They give us ideas for which roads we take.

Till next time, keep your spirits high and your humor dry.
jw

BTW:

Last week, I released my latest YouTube video based on my portfolio of pictures of California. It’s five minutes of eye candy, and I invite you to see it by using this link: [https://youtu.be/cgXAHPyzQ5Y]

Geologic Puzzle: Unearthing Whitney Pocket’s Sandstone Secrets Picture of the Week - Mesquite, Nevada

Brown layered Navajo Sandstone uplifted and eroded by fault activity in Whitney Pocket, with unusual rounded edges and color variation.
Geologic Puzzle: Unearthing Whitney Pocket’s Sandstone Secrets – Nature’s Tilt: Witnessing the Story of Uplift and Erosion in Whitney Pocket’s Sandstone Layers.

Arriving at a new location like Gold Butte ignites a whirlwind of excitement in me, and my initial instinct is to capture everything in sight. This flurry of photography is more about immersion than precision, leading to a digital pile-up that I inevitably sift through, discarding the excess like chaff. Unlike the costly days of film, where each shot was a precious commodity, the digital age allows me to indulge in this initial creative outburst, knowing it’s part of reaching the true gems.

Once the initial rush subsides, I transition from capturing to contemplating, delving into the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of the landscape before me. It’s here that Shawn Willsey’s geology videos come into play. As a professor at the College of Southern Idaho, Shawn has a gift for demystifying the complexities of earth science, guiding even the uninitiated through geological wonders. His explanations, particularly his Random Roadcuts segments, clarify unusual layering and erosion and bring a new depth to my photographs, transforming them from mere images to stories set in stone.

From a distance, the formation in the picture above looked like the blades of a turbine engine embedded in the Navajo Sandstone. For all I know, there is a 747 out there with the guts missing from one of its engine cowlings. The brown color, multi-layers, with rounded edges, stood out like the red marks on one of my term papers. How can I tell you about it when I haven’t a clue? So, I emailed Professor Willsey and asked if he’d look at my photo—and he accepted. He answered, “The feature in question is not a vein but appears to be an upturned section of Aztec (Navajo) sandstone. The near vertical layering is the cross beds deposited on the dune field’s backside (downwind) side. Some faults and other structures in this region of NV are likely the culprits that have tilted the rock layers. Very cool.” Then, he returned to hosting his live coverage of this week’s Iceland eruptions. Now, don’t you feel smarter?

A butte in Whitney Pocket with layered Navajo and Entrada sandstone, with the red end facing south, creating a 'Neapolitan ice cream' effect in the desert.
Neapolitan Earth: Unraveling Whitney Pocket’s Colorful Geology – Stratified Delight: The Neapolitan Butte of Whitney Pocket, where Geology Meets Gastronomy.

There’s a question in this week’s other picture as well. It’s an image of a sandstone formation that looks like a bowl of Neapolitan ice cream after Queen Anne was done with it. I say that because Queen Anne always eats the chocolate and turns her nose up at the rest. The issue is that the red section appears on the white layer. From all I’ve read, the Entrada era—with its rust-colored sandstones—came before the white dunes. My best guess is that the forces that lifted the Virgin Mountain Range over a mile in the air also jumbled the natural order in this basin. What are your thoughts?

I have posted larger versions of Geologic Puzzle on my website < Jim’s Web> and my Fine Art America page <FAA Link> should you want to examine the layers closer. Next week, we wrap our foray into Gold Butte National Monument with one of the rare evidentiary remnants that anyone preceded us. It’s like unearthing the Spinx. Join us then, won’t you?

Until next time, keep your spirits high and your humor dry.
jw

BTW:

As we gather to celebrate the holiday season, Queen Anne and I would like to extend a hearty Seasons Greetings to all of you. Whether you’re out there chasing the perfect light or cozening up at home with loved ones, may your days be merry, bright, and filled with the joy of discovery. Here’s to capturing more beauty, sharing more stories, and creating unforgettable memories in the year ahead.

Sipping with a View: The Panorama at DAOU Vineyards Picture of the Week - Paso Robles, California

A panoramic view of rolling vineyard hills under a clear sky from the DAOU Vineyards tasting room in Paso Robles, photographed by Jim Witkowski.
Sipping with a View: The Panorama at DAOU Vineyards – Gaze over the lush expanses of DAOU Vineyards, where every turn offers a view more stunning than the last, inviting you to a tasting experience graced with natural splendor.

I bought our first bottle of DAOU wine by accident. While choosing from the Safeway shelf selection, I looked a row above the cheap stuff and spotted a bottle of their chardonnay. I immediately noticed that it came from Paso Robles—our favorite wine region. It was more pricey than our house brand but not by much, and since it had been a rough week, I thought, “What the heck?” I grabbed it by the neck and placed it in the cart.

That was a couple of years ago, and since—when we wanted something a little nicer—we splurge on a bottle of DAOU. That’s why we were so tickled that a stop at DAOU was on our wine-tasting recommendation list this spring. Indeed, I thought we wouldn’t come home without buying the place out.

Driving up to the tasting room reminded me of the Clifton Hillclimbs of days past. A castle-like building sits at the summit of the family-owned mountain. Instead of orange pylon cones, the narrow, twisting road is lined with lavender, making the mountain look like it’s wearing a purple crown. The finish line is under an ornate wrought-iron arch at the top—just after a sharp right turn. After I parked the truck, I let the engine idle for a few minutes to let it cool, which gave Queen Anne time to stop screaming and hyperventilating. Our breaths were removed again when we stepped out of the truck—this time from the view.

Stepping out onto the hilltop patio of DAOU Vineyards, one can’t help but feel as if they’ve entered an exclusive retreat, a day spa designed not just for relaxation but for the epicurean at heart. With panoramic views that command the senses and an ambiance that whispers of indulgence, it’s a place where time seems to stand still, encouraging you to savor every moment. With their attentive grace, the staff are like sommeliers of comfort, offering tastings and a complete escape from the ordinary.

The distinguished sign marking the tasting room at DAOU Vineyards & Winery, inviting visitors to indulge in the art of wine, as photographed by Jim Witkowski.
Begin Your Journey: The Tasting Room at DAOU – The sign at DAOU Vineyards & Winery is not just a marker but an invitation to a world of exquisite tastes and shared stories.

For Queen Anne and me, this wasn’t just another stop on our wine trail; it was a moment of serendipity that had us seriously contemplating a permanent residence. The fusion of luxury and viticulture was intoxicating in its own right. And as the hot and cold running hostesses pampered us, each sip of DAOU’s exquisite wine seemed to erase any thought of a world beyond the vineyard’s embrace. It was here, amidst the laughter and clinking glasses, that we made our selections—wines that would forever remind us of the sun-drenched patio, the gentle breeze, and the feeling of absolute contentment.

A visit to DAOU Vineyards is essential to any wine lover’s journey through Paso Robles. It’s an experience that transcends the act of tasting into an art form, set against a canvas of sweeping hills and skies that stretch into infinity. DAOU is renowned not just for its wines but for its ability to transport you to a state of awe with its mountaintop location, offering a view that could rival any famed landscape painting. Here, each glass is complemented by the vast vistas of the valley below, the verdant rows of vines narrating the terroir’s tale. The tasting room, an epitome of elegance, invites guests to savor each note of their carefully crafted wines wrapped in Paso Robles’ natural grandeur. This harmonious blend of sensory pleasures positions DAOU as a destination of choice for those seeking to indulge in the grand symphony of winemaking.

At the heart of DAOU Vineyards stand the founders, brothers Georges and Daniel DAOU, whose journey in winemaking is as rich and compelling as the wines they create. Their foray into grape cultivation was born from a shared vision to produce Bordeaux-style wines that would rival the world’s best. With roots stretching back to the mountains of Lebanon, the DAOU brothers bring a unique fusion of old-world charm and new-world innovation to their craft. They are known for their exacting standards, from fastidious vineyard management to the precision of their cellar practices, constantly pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in Paso Robles. At DAOU, it’s not just about maintaining quality but elevating it, ensuring that every bottle tells a story of excellence and ambition, a narrative that honors their heritage and the land they’ve come to cherish.

DAOU Vineyards has etched its name in the annals of fine winemaking with a portfolio of wines that speaks to the discerning connoisseur’s heart and intellect. Their flagship offering, “Soul of a Lion,” is a testament to the DAOU brothers’ father and embodies the winery’s pursuit of uncompromised excellence—a Cabernet Sauvignon that commands attention with depth and complexity. The “Reserve Chardonnay” marries the richness of Paso Robles fruit with the finesse of French oak, creating a harmonious profile beloved by those who favor a fuller-bodied white. Not to be overlooked, their “Estate Cabernet Sauvignon” stands as a pillar of their red wine collection, showcasing the perfect balance of power and grace that the region’s unique climate and soils can instill. These wines, among others, have propelled DAOU to the forefront of Paso Robles wineries, each vintage crafted not only to impress but to leave a lasting impression of the terroir’s potential.

I would love to tell you what bottles we bought during our DAOU visit, but as you can see from the prices below, we were well out of our league. But throughout our discussion of whether we could get adopted by the DAOU family, we enjoyed each of the five samples our hostess selected for us. Unlike our introduction to wine tasting—when the Carlo Rossi Burgundy came from the very jug you bought—these days, the samples served at the vineyards are the creme de la creme—If the wine you buy in a retail store were an AC Bristol, they tempt you with a Shelby Cobra here at the ranch. Had we the budget, here are the bottles we would have brought home.

    • 2021 Estate Chardonnay–$100.00. We liked this chardonnay. It had the same characteristics as our Safeway version but more of everything. Unfortunately, it was clearly out of our price range, so we passed and bought four bottles of the normal chard from Total Wine instead.
    • 2020 Reserve Eye of the Falcon–$75.00. This Cabernet Sauvignon is made from a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Verdot grapes grown on the valley floor. It had excellent color and a great taste of black fruits and aromatics.
    • 2021 Cuvee Lizzy—$89.00. This was another Bordeaux-style wine using the estate-grown grapes. It’s a blend that starts with Malbec grapes and is then blended with Petite Verdot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon stock. This was our favorite of the flight. If possible, we’d buy a bottle, but we haven’t found one in our local stores. If we want to enjoy a bottle, we must win the lottery and return to Paso Robles.

Beyond enjoying DAOU’s wines, the experience at the vineyards was breathtaking. Sitting in those red patio chairs with attendants passing frequently with another offering was the definition of indulgence. We would have stayed the night if we’d brought our sleeping bags. At the end of our visit, our wine guide noticed that I was using my USAA credit card to pay the tab. She asked, “Oh, you’re a vet?” When I confirmed that I was, she waived the tasting fees. If I had known that was possible, we might have sprung for one of their Eye of the Falcons.

We hope you enjoyed our month of wine offerings as much as we did. If you’d like to pixel-peep this week’s Image, you can visit the larger version on my website < Jim’s Web> or its FAA page <FAA Link>. Be sure to put us on your holiday calendar next month because we’re going to a place where no man has gone before—well, not many have been there. Join us next week when we take you off the beaten path—it’ll be an adventure, I promise.

Till next time, keep your spirits high and your humor dry
jw

Techniques: Leveling the Horizon on Sweeping Vistas

A common pitfall I’ve noticed in many online landscape photos is a slightly tilted horizon, which can unintentionally give the impression that the scene is off-balance. Remember, even the Pilgrims relied on the horizon to align their buildings at Plymouth Rock. Getting this right in-camera is critical, as it preserves the natural balance of your shot.

For those looking to ensure a perfectly level horizon, modern technology offers a helping hand. My camera, for instance, comes equipped with an in-built level in the viewfinder. As you adjust the angle, the level’s indicators align, turning green at the perfect balance point. It’s a small step in the setup but makes a difference, especially for scenes like the one in this week’s photo where the horizon plays a starring role.

If you capture a slightly askew horizon, don’t fret—software like Photoshop can come to the rescue. Use the ruler tool to draw a line along the horizon, then select Image> Image Rotation > Arbitrary. Photoshop cleverly calculates the necessary adjustment, automatically realigning your Image. A quick crop to tidy up any resulting white edges, and your photo is ready to impress with a horizon that’s true to reality.

BTW:

I released the fourth video in my On the road with Jim on YouTube on Friday. This one covers the images in my Sonoran Desert portfolio. As a subscriber to this newsletter, you get a sneak preview before I add any links. If you want to view my latest effort, you can use this link to get to the video: https://youtu.be/QDc9fXnccy8

The Geometry of Growth: Paso Robles’ Vineyard Rows Picture of the Week - Paso Robles, California

Neat rows of young grapevines ascending the gentle slopes under a cloudy sky in Paso Robles, showcasing the meticulous care in vineyard management.
The Geometry of Growth: Paso Robles’ Vineyard Rows – Witness the artistry of agriculture in Paso Robles, where the vineyard rows ascend like notes on a staff, composing a green symphony on the slopes.

Welcome back to our AA tour of Paso Robles vineyards. Last week, we started with a morning visit to L’Aventure, just a stone’s throw from downtown Paso Robles. After spending a good hour there, our next stop was Justin Vineyards. It’s quite a drive from the city center, but we had a plan: lunch at The Restaurant at Justin before our tasting. Little did we know, our venture to Justin Wines would be without the lunch we anticipated, making for an unexpected twist to our wine-tasting adventure.

We first learned of Justin Wines at the Cambria liquor store a half dozen years ago, and since then, we’ve seen the distinctive black labels in our familiar wine stores. We finally brought a bottle home to try and enjoy the harmonious blend of traditional Old World methods and the innovative spirit of Paso Robles. Justin Wines is a beacon in the Central Coast wine scene because they are committed to making world-class Bordeaux-style blends. Recommendations came not just from reviews or awards but from the enthusiastic tales of fellow wine lovers, stories of a winery that dared to dream big and deliver. It wasn’t just a name; it was a promise of an experience that merged the finesse of a finely aged Cabernet with the boldness of a region redefining itself.

The roots of Justin Wines are as deep and complex as the wines they produce. Founded in 1981 by Justin Baldwin, the winery’s mission was clear from the start: to produce world-class wines that belong in the company of the world’s great wines. With a focus on estate-grown Bordeaux-styled blends, Justin Wines has meticulously nurtured its vineyards to bring out the unique expression of its location in the Paso Robles region. Baldwin’s vision and dedication have created a legacy, making Justin Wines a standard-bearer for quality and innovation in the Californian wine landscape.

The inviting facade of Justin Winery's tasting room in Paso Robles, framed by mature oak branches and well-manicured greenery, photographed by Jim Witkowski.
Sipping in Style: Inside Justin Winery’s Tasting Estate – Beneath the shade of sycamores, the Justin Winery tasting room stands as a beacon of hospitality in the heart of Paso Robles, inviting enthusiasts and novices alike to savor the essence of their craft.

The varietals that grace the cellars of Justin Wines are a testament to their unwavering dedication to quality. From their iconic Isosceles, a blend that pays homage to the Bordeaux giants, to their Justification, a nod to the Right Bank with its Franc-centric profile, each bottle offers a glimpse into the heart of their craft. The Cabernet Sauvignon, with its structured elegance and the complex, layered character of their Syrah, speak to the diversity of their offerings. The winery’s dedication to reflecting the terroir is evident in every glass, as they continue to earn accolades and captivate palates with their expressive, balanced, and impeccably crafted wines.

We purchased four varietals in the Justin offering—three of which are only sold at the estate, while the last on our list can sometimes be found in Costco or Total Wine. That’s good for us because it saves on travel time and gas. Here’s the list of our choices from light to robust.

    • 2021 Rose Syrah—yeah, yeah! I said we didn’t care for Rose’s last week, but this is another exceptional wine. When you swirl the wine in a glass, you watch for lines running down the sides—they’re called legs and are an indicator of sugar content. The Rosé Syarah had great legs but was dry. It’s a magic act. $20.00
    • 2020 Right Angle—A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Petite Sirah, and Petite Verdot grapes. This one had a rich combination of fruit taste with a mild tannin bite. It should age well. $40.
    • 2020 Reserve Malbec—Malbec is another Bordeaux grape that wasn’t widely grown in California until Argentina’s Malbec explosion. This example was 100% Malbec grapes and a deep purple color. This wine was robust and would pair well with anything from a good steak to lasagne. $50.00
    • 2020 Isosceles—Ooh. Dreams are made from this. This is one of Justin’s flagship wines. It’s a traditional Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot grapes. It’s a full-bodied wine with complex black fruit, vanilla, licorice, and spice tones. Justin is right proud of this wine, and that’s reflected in the price—but you might find a bottle of Isosceles in Costco or Total Wine for less, as we did. $85.00

With this week’s Thursday being Thanksgiving, I hope you all don’t run down to Total Wine and buy out their entire inventory of Isosceles. But since you’re going there anyway, would you mind picking up a bottle for me? Borrowing the words of a great philosopher, ‘I’ll gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today.’ (There are 5 points for everyone who can name that philosopher in the comments below—but no peeking at others’ answers!).

Thanks for taking time out of your busy holiday schedule to visit us today. As usual, you can find a larger version of this week’s photo on my website (Jim’s Web) and its FAA page (FAA Link). Be sure to put us on your calendar next week when we finish our Paso Robles tour by visiting the King of the Hill.

Until then, keep your spirits high and your humor dry
jw

Techniques: Patterns as Subjects – The Art of Repetition

How many ways are there to shoot a vineyard? I lost count a long time ago, but sometimes, when your subject is too small or inconsequential, you must take a step back and look at the bigger picture. How can I uniquely shoot this scene?

Sometimes, the most captivating subject is not a single object but a tapestry of repeating elements that create a pattern. In the photo of the wine grove, the rows of vines form a mesmerizing way that serves as the subject itself. The repetition of lines and shapes across the frame isn’t just pleasing to the eye; it tells a story of careful cultivation and nature’s inherent symmetry. When faced with a vast scene, seek out these patterns. They can transform a landscape into a visual rhythm that engages the eye. Whether it’s the repetition of vine rows, the orderly spread of tree canopies, or the undulating waves of a coastal scene, patterns can elevate a photograph from a simple setting to a study of harmony and design. When the subject isn’t found, let the pattern become the star.

Green Symphonies: The Vines of L’Aventure Picture of the week - Paso Robles, California

Rows of grapevines basking in the Paso Robles sun at L'Aventure Winery, photographed by Jim Witkowski.
Green Symphonies: The Vines of L’Aventure – The serene rows of L’Aventure Winery, where nature’s quiet symphony plays amongst the vines.

Wine tasting is not what it used to be. I remember when all it took was a sunny afternoon and a car, and we could show up and taste. Now, it’s all about planning with reservations. The spontaneity’s gone, but the trade-off is a more intimate experience at each stop. So we were starting our day at L’Aventure Winery while the morning was still fresh, and the roosters were thinking about their wake-up calls. Not every day you get to taste fine wine with the dew still on the grapes, but it makes for a memorable morning when you do.

We had to make reservations for each stop—days in advance this year, and we had to coordinate those times because what we wanted sometimes wasn’t open. The vineyards wish you to spend at least an hour so you get the whole spiel. Then you have to allow for travel time. God forbid you’re late for an appointment because the next bus arrives, and you’re locked in the parking lot. There you have the short version of why we started tasting wine at L’Aventure at 10 a.m. before the chickens got up.

Signpost directions to L'Aventure Winery among others in Paso Robles, snapped by Jim Witkowski.
We were navigating Paso Robles’ Wine Country. Where to go next? The signposts of Paso Robles point the way to our next vineyard adventure.

L’Aventure Winery came onto our radar like a secret whispered among the vines—its name uttered with a vinous reverence in the circles of oenophiles we admire. Nestled within the undulating landscapes of Paso Robles, this winery has carved out more than a niche; it has etched a legacy in the very bedrock of the region. It’s not just the distinctive wines; it’s the philosophy permeating every bottle. Here, tradition isn’t merely upheld; it’s reimagined. Stephan Asseo’s creations have bucked the trends, danced gracefully between the rules, and presented the world with blends that defy expectations. In Paso Robles, a place flourishing with winemaking potential, L’Aventure has boldly claimed its stake, garnering approval from critics and connoisseurs alike. To sip L’Aventure’s wine is to participate in a legacy of innovation that whispers of exclusivity and guarantees your pallet something new.

Stephan Asseo’s vinicultural journey is a narrative steeped in passion and the relentless pursuit of perfection. It’s a tale that begins in the esteemed vineyards of France, where the terroir—the unique combination of soil, climate, and landscape that imparts distinctive character to the wine—is as much a part of the culture as the vines themselves. Yet, after 17 vintages, the rich but restrictive traditions of French winemaking left Asseo yearning for a canvas broad enough to hold the scope of his ambitions. His odyssey for the perfect terroir brought him to the variegated landscapes of Paso Robles—a place where the soil spoke to his soul. Here, freed from the stringent Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC) regulations dictating French winemaking minutiae, Asseo’s maverick spirit thrived. In this New World sanctuary, blending is an art form, and Asseo, the ever-daring artist, dismisses the notion that wines must conform to preordained profiles. His wines are a triumph, not just of terroir, but of bold innovation—melding the best of both worlds to create something truly extraordinary. This is the spirit of L’Aventure: a symphony of earth and effort, a testament to the magic that happens when you refuse to accept that the status quo is the pinnacle of what can be achieved.

Nestled in the rolling hills of Paso Robles, L’Aventure has become synonymous with bold, innovative winemaking, and this is nowhere more evident than in their celebrated varietals. The winery has garnered acclaim for its exceptional Rhône blends, robust with the complexity and depth that the region’s soil imparts. But it is the pioneering estate blends that truly set L’Aventure apart—chief among them, the Optimus and Estate Cuvée, which seamlessly marry Rhône varieties with the noble Bordeaux, creating symphonies of flavor that resonate with the essence of both Old World sophistication and New World audacity. Their Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Petit Verdot are testaments to the winery’s dedication to quality and the full expression of each grape’s character. Each bottle from L’Aventure is not just a beverage but a story of land and labor, a narrative told through each sip of their meticulously crafted wines.

Two of the samples in our flight (different specimens picked by the vintner) impressed us enough to purchase. We used to love finding wines priced around $10 at tasting rooms, but those days are long gone. These days, anything over $50 is out of our league unless it’s exceptional. Then I have to get down on my antique knees and beg Anne to sell one of the many jewels from her crown to cover the cost.

    • The Estate Rosé. We’re not fans of rosés because they’re often fruity and sweet—a holdover from the Mateus days. Not so in this case. L’Aventure’s rosé was dry and drank more like a chardonnay. We paid less than $30 for our bottle.
    • The Cote A Cote Red Blend. We were impressed with the complex hints of dark cherries and chocolate and how the terroir came out in this wine. I thought the tannin aftertaste was harsh but would mellow with age. This bottle sells on the north side of $50.

After our early morning tasting at L’Aventure, we left with a couple of bottles that caught our fancy and some good memories. The rosé was a pleasant surprise — not too sweet, how we like it. And the red blend? It was rich and bold, even if I think it’ll taste even better with time. With our wine adventure off to a great start, we were ready to grab a bite and gear up for the next round of tastings. Next week, I’ll tell you about our visit to Justin’s, a place you might know from your local store. But until then, don’t forget to check out my website < Jim’s Web Page> or my Fine Art America page <FAA Page> to see this week’s photo in full size.

Till next time, keep your spirits high and your humor dry
jw

Techniques: Mastering Natural Framing in Landscape Photography

This week’s photo at L’Aventure showcases a classic compositional technique: natural framing. Like curtains on a stage that focus the audience’s attention on the performance, the rows of vines guide the eye toward the central barn. Flanking the barn, the sloping hill on the left and the dark green oak trees on the right mirror each other, encasing the scene in a verdant embrace. This draws the viewer’s gaze to the heart of the image and adds a layer of depth, making the barn appear as the show’s star. Natural framing is a powerful tool, subtly suggesting where to look without overt direction. In vineyard photography, where every element tells a part of the story, such frames are the unsung heroes, providing structure and focus to the landscape’s natural beauty.

And About That Speck in the Sky

You might notice a speck against the clouds if you squint at this week’s photo. Let’s set the record straight — that’s not a smudge on your screen or a rebellious dust spot I missed in post-production. That, my friends, is a turkey vulture soaring high above the vineyard. These discerning birds of prey are known to patrol the skies over Paso Robles, perhaps keeping a watchful eye on the ripening grapes or just searching for their next meal. It’s nature’s quality control, though I’m happy to report they’ve yet to dip down for a taste test of the vintage. They may have a keen sense for the exquisite, but thankfully, they leave the wine tasting to us mere mortals.