Val d’Orcia

MM 2-46: Monochrome Madness d’Orcia

This week I’ve submitted my Monochrome Madness photo a bit hastily, I admit. It made me wish I’d actually shoot in monochrome for a change. I’ll give it a go soon, promise.

Below is first a similar, just differently cropped colour image, followed by more photos taken that day. It was last year (see for yourself if my editing skills have improved), about this time, mom was visiting and she is about to again. The town of Pienza and Val d’Orcia valley are yet to greet me with a sunny disposition. I’m patient.

Photo: a © signature mmm production

For Leanne Cole’s Monochrome Madness 2-46

SL-WEEK 34: Up there in my tree

Since Sylvain says he likes trees, and since I must too because there is at least one on practically every photo I take, I bring you 16 tree images. They are all from around here somewhere, and today they come in pairs: two photos by two either of the same tree(s) or taken very close together.

Photo: a © signature mmm production

For Sylvain Landry’s SL-WEEK 34: Trees

WPC: Our ooops moments

Over here, ooops moments are rich and varied. Let’s investigate a few.

First there is weird camera stuff: two images that the camera decided to take by itself right here from the desk, plus two that I think are called double exposure (hm… yes?). Or maybe it’s parallel universes? In any case, I like it.

Ooops can also be in the action itself: a flood in Terme Saturnia, followed by a hurricane in our back yard, followed by dry Fontana di Trevi under construction, followed by a lovely bookcase, just a bit high up (yes, ours!), followed by what amore calls “the Italian fantasy”, and last but not least, not really a welcome in Porto Ercole.

Here are a few animal ooopses: a sheep that lost its footing, the gecko that to me is in itself one big ooops, a sea (food) predator, and a mysterious cage of a dead parrot in Porto Santo Stefano.

The following happened when our olive tree called Olgo (because it’s male) got refreshed and we burnt the cut-off branches in our fireplace. Never put the wooden crate in an indoor situation on fire like that, in case you didn’t know. It BURNS. Consequence: the lovely green mirror you see above the mantel cracked from side to side. (It would anyway, crate or no crate, since the chimney behind it was so hot.)

My favourite ooops moments involve funny poses: mom as Kenny, mom as a peperoncino walrus, bestia as a symbol of joy, silly puppy face and silly photographer stand (but with nice imagery of Val d’Orcia).

This is better.

Photo: MM & last two MeMa (that’s you, mom!)

In response to The Daily Post’s weekly photo challenge: Oops!

Birthday

This year my birthday was again spent in the company of my parents, amore and dog, which is all one wishes to hope for (since my sister is absolutely too far). Forty-five easy pieces. It was yesterday, and one glorious day it was.

We went to San Quirico d’Orcia to observe the Mille Miglia oldies race. Stay tuned for many more photos from here.

I was having fun taking photos. This is much easier to do when you are surrounded by what I have been.

The perfect day was concluded at I Pescatori at the Orbetello lagoon in merry company. Cin cin and thank you, everybody!

And when we exited, we were reminded that the world is indeed one. Photo: MM & BM (pillow, peppers, poppy, paparazzo)

You have all seen them, photos of Tuscany. Rows of cypress trees, a road up the hill, patches of green.

Well. We chose a wrong day to go to the Val d’Orcia valley. It was a day before the storm. This is how it looks like if you take photos without a light. But we will be back, geometry is truly exceptional. And Pienza is a very charming town. Thank you, Dunja W., for making me remember it.

Photo: MM

Spring sprang – bring brang

Have you ever wondered why is it correct to say “spring sprang” but not “bring brang”? Remember how they make you drill the irregular verbs when you study English? That’s why. So that you won’t give silly, guitar-sounding university exam answers. And then you still do. Brought to you by one prima Vera that has sprung meanwhile. Happy first spring day.

Photo: MM