Dropping

West Wind Farm, Max Meadows Virginia

HDR image of a maple tree standing in a puddle of its own dropped leaves, West Wind Farm, Max Meadows VA
Dropping

This image came from West Wind Farm Vineyard and Winery in Max Meadows, Virginia, which we visited about mid-way through our nine-day meander across southern Virginia (the “Nine days of Virginia wine“). West Wind was our last winery visit that day before heading off to find our lodging for the night. For a change, we were not actually running late; we arrived well before closing time. The winery sits near but not at the top of a hill. The day had grown cloudy (with the promise of rain overnight), but the sun peeked through as we ascended the gravel drive/road, dramatically illuminating this tree standing alone in a pool of its own leaves in the high meadow behind the winery. I parked quickly, grabbed my camera, and pointed. I only remember saying, “that tree.” Frankly, I don’t even know if Nancy heard me; I was off. I rejoined Nancy for a tasting the warm and inviting tasting room about 15 minutes later.

(Nikon D700, Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 zoom, ISO 200, f/10. HDR exposure from a bracketed series of nine shots at shutter speeds varying to cover -4 to +4EV.)
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