Traveling Hearts Photography: northern virginia

Showing posts with label northern virginia. Show all posts

Friday, October 26, 2012

Pumpkin Patch at Belvedere Plantation in Fredericksburg, VA

Belvedere Plantation hosts a Harvest Festival that showcases an ENORMOUS pumpkin patch! It is a 645 acre working farm just outside of Fredericksburg, VA, located right off the historic Rappahannock River.

My son in the Pumpkin Patch <3

ISO 200 ~ 30mm ~ f/6.3 ~ 1/125 sec

I came last week as a chaperone for my son's kindergarten field trip and fell in love with the plantation. I made plans to return this week to take photos. I was able to bring my 3y/o son with me and to say he had the time of his life would be an understatement!

Cornfield Maze

ISO 100 ~ 60mm ~ f/6.3 ~ 1/400 sec

If you've never heard of Belvedere Plantation, check out their website here. I could list everything that is available and offered, but it would be easier for you to just check out this map because there is seriously so much to see and do.

When we first arrived, we walked around the flower garden on the back side of the slides. There were rows and rows of sunflowers and wildflowers. The sunflowers were so tall.... so tall that I had to look up to see many of them.

Sunflower in the Garden

Instagram Photo

Wildflower Illuminated from the Sun

ISO 100 ~ 60mm ~ f/3.5 ~ 1/640

Butterfly enjoying some Sweet Necter

ISO 100 ~ 60mm ~ f/4.5 ~ 1/400 sec

Next we went over to the Pumpkin Slide Mountain. This is old school FUN ~ you grab a burlap sack, climb to the top of the mountain (large hill) and choose whether you want to go down the open slide or the tunnel slide. I'm not sure who had more fun on this, me or my son :)

Pumpkin Mountain Slide

ISO 100 ~ 60mm ~ f/6.3 ~ 1/640 sec

Sleepy Pig @ Ye Olde Barnyard

ISO 100 ~ 135mm ~ f/8.0 ~ 1/100 sec

Fun Barn filled with Hay and Rope Swings

ISO 100 ~ 53mm ~ f/6.3 ~ 1/800 sec

Pedal Tractors Track

ISO 100 ~ 28mm ~ f/6.3 ~ 1/640 sec

From the slide we went over to the Cornfield Maze. After speaking to the farmer (what they call employees, cute, right??) who was working the maze, we decided to not go very far. The idea of getting lost in there wasn't appealing considering my 3 y/o and his ten minute attention span. So we walked a little to take some photos, but then turned around and left the same way we came. I'd love to come back another day to be able to go through the whole maze. Check out the arial view, it is HUGE and has a pretty neat design!

Cornfield Maze

Instagram Photo

Cornfield Maze

ISO 100 ~ 28mm ~ f/13 ~ 1/160 sec

So to celebrate NOT getting lost in the maze, we then went on the Jumping Pillow. It is like a huge bouncehouse without the top. There are height restrictions, but my little guy made the cut-off. They ask adults to not jump, but we can be on there with our kids. I've got to tell you, between the Pumpkin Mountain Slide and the Jumping Pillow, I felt like I was a little kid again.

Jumping Pillow

Instagram Photo

Next, it was time for the hayride to the pumpkin patch. The hayride takes you through the farm and you get such a beautiful view of the colorful leaves, the river, and the historic homes (that are still lived in today). The farmer that joined us on our hayride was so polite and helpful. She readily shared information about the plantation and enthusiastically answered any of the questions we had.

Entrance to the Hayrides and Pumpkin Patch

ISO 100 ~ 44mm ~ f/5.6 ~ 1/640 sec

Hayride into the Pumpkin Patch

ISO 200 ~ 28mm ~ f/6.3 ~ 1/500 sec

The hayride was my son's favorite part of the day. He wasn't too crazy about walking though the pumpkin patch, but that was only because his little legs kept getting caught on the vines that seem to sneak out and trip him. He was also concerned the tractor would leave without us. But they waited for each of us to pick our pumpkin and I never felt rushed, even with the extra time I took taking photos.

Pumpkin Patch

ISO 100 ~ 28mm ~ f/6.3 ~ 1/160 sec

Our Pumpkin <3

ISO 100 ~ 28mm ~ f/6.3 ~ 1/250 sec

My little guy with our Pumpkin

ISO 100 ~ 28mm ~ f/6.3 ~ 1/125 sec

After picking out the pumpkin and taking our return hayride back, it was time for us to head home. There was so much we didn't get to see and do that we will be returning at least once more before the end of the season. The ticket prices are discounted during the week and then are higher on the weekend. But it is worth it! They even offer a military discount of a dollar off each ticket. Being a military family, that is much appreciated <3

So we took our pumpkin to the Market (where there is also a bakery and gift shop) to have it weighed.

My little guy's BIG 15lb pumpkin!

Instagram Photo

Market & Bakery

ISO 400 ~ 28mm ~ f/4.5 ~ 1/60sec

The farmers were all extremely polite and were very patient with everyone. Even while waiting for the hayride, the farmers were asking my son questions and joking around, but at the same time making sure we were all safe.

It was a bit of a drive for me coming from the DC area, but well worth the trip. If you are anywhere near Fredericksburg, VA and you are looking for an incredibly fun Fall experience, please check out Belvedere Plantation!

On the down side, we lost my son's sweater while we were there. I didn't notice it missing until we were back at the car and by then I was too tired to walk all the way back to the lost and found hut. When we got home I realized that my son swiped three rocks from the cornfield maze. I figure its an even swap, but Belvedere Plantation, if you would like your rocks back, please let me know and I'll mail them....

"I don't see how a pumpkin patch can be more sincere than this one. You can look around and there's not a sign of hypocrisy. Nothing but sincerity as far as the eye can see."

Linus from It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.

If you aren't a fan of Traveling Hearts Photography on Facebook, come on over and "like" my page. I offer tips, articles, weekly photos, free cover photos and conversations about travel and photography.

https://www.facebook.com/TravelingHeartsPhotography

Happy Shooting!

Corrie <3

I have not been paid or reimbursed to write this blog and everything written is purely my opinion.

Sunday, October 14, 2012

American Bald Eagles and More...

Yesterday my plans were to take the boys to the National Zoo in Washington DC. When we were getting ready to leave the house I looked up into the sky and saw FOUR, yes FOUR bald eagles soaring high above. They were soaring in pairs of two, so I was unable to capture all four in the same photo ~ but it was absolutely magnificent to watch. I love this time of year when the leaves are changing color, the weather is brisk, the farmer's markets are filled with yummy pumpkin items (like pumpkin fudge <3), and the animals are all out and enjoying the weather just as much as we are.

Here is a photo of the first pair. Even with my 70-300mm lens, the eagles were too high to get a really good photo ~ but wanted to share.

ISO 100 ~ 300mm ~ f/11 ~ 1/250 sec

This next photo I took last month as the eagle was just getting ready to take off of his perch.

ISO 100 ~ 300mm ~ f/8.0 ~ 1/400 sec

There are many challenges to photographing birds and Bald Eagles specifically. You are at the mercy of the location of the bird and the sun. When the Bald Eagles come to visit and hang out on their perch, they are where they are. I can't ask them to turn around or move to a better position. I know that I can move, but all that does is make the Bald Eagle nervous and many times fly away. Since this is not what I want, I usually stay in the location that I am in. But what I am able to do, is observe the animal's behavior so that I can anticipate what the Bald Eagle's next move may be.

For example, I know where the Bald Eagles like to hang out. I know that many times (before nesting season) they will often be in a pair. I also know that once one takes off, the other will usually follow behind very shortly. I also know that once they take off towards the Potomac River, they will usually circle around and soar overhead for a little while. So I can plan my position and where I will direct my camera based on what I "anticipate" they may do.

Get to know your subject... observe, research, practice... and soon you will be getting better and better shots. Also remember, most of the time you will have many other chances to get the shot you are looking for. Maybe the subject will return a few minutes later (as many butterflies do), or even later in the day, or possibly another day. Get to know the pattern of your subject and you may be surprised at how predictable they really are.

Next week I will return to the Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge. I plan on bringing a chair and planting myself somewhere so that I can hopefully catch some Bald Eagles and other wildlife just going about their business. The trees should all be nicely changing color as well, so it should provide for some magnificent shots.

Happy Shooting!

Corrie

Sunday, September 30, 2012

Apple Picking at Stribling Orchard in Markham, Virginia

Yesterday was a GORGEOUS day here in Northern Virginia. The family and I took a drive out to Stribling Orchard to go apple picking in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The drive was beautiful along Route 66 and the trees were just starting to change colors.

ISO 200 ~ 28mm ~ f/8.0 ~ 1/640 sec

The orchard had pumpkins out front and also crates of already picked apples. Of course I had to have a photo of my boys sitting in the pumpkins.

ISO 200 ~ 90mm ~ f/8.0 ~ 1/800 sec

There were freshly dipped caramel apples, apple cider, BBQ, and a bakery filled with all kinds of wonderful and amazing things. The bakery had freshly baked apple pies, apple sticks (which is what we ate), and freshly baked bread. I wish I had a photo of the apple sticks, but um, yeah, they were that good.

ISO 200 ~ 50mm ~ f/8.0 ~ 1/250 sec

ISO 200 ~ 35mm ~ f/8.0 ~ 1/800 sec

ISO 200 ~ 28mm ~ f/8.0 ~ 1/160 sec

There were maps that said where to find each kind of apple. But since we were more interested in the "hunt" of the apple, we just kind of meandered. We also had to lay down some ground rules for the boys.

Don't climb the trees
Don't pick up ANY apple off the ground
Place your apples gently in your bag or you will end up with applesauce
There is no potty in the orchard
DO NOT PICK UP ANY APPLES OFF THE GROUND INCLUDES PUTTING THEM IN YOUR MOUTH

ISO 200 ~ 28mm ~ f/7.1 ~ 1/400 sec

ISO 200 ~ 80mm ~ f/7.1 ~ 1/100 sec

ISO 200 ~ 75mm ~ f/6.3 ~ 1/800 sec

ISO 200 ~ 10mm ~ f/16 ~ 1/160 sec

ISO 200 ~ 19mm ~ f/16 ~ 1/160 sec

Now for my favorite part of our trip... at the very tippy top of the orchard lies an AMAZING view. If you don't know about it, you'll most likely never venture up that far. It just goes to show, it is worth the time exploring all areas of wherever you may be visiting.

After paying for our apples, we took the car up and ate our apple sticks while looking out at this...

ISO 200 ~ 10mm ~ f/13 ~ 1/250 sec

I could not get over the clouds. They were just perfect... like God himself took a paintbrush and painted the sky with little cloud fluffs.

ISO 100 ~ 65mm ~ f/7.1 ~ 1/200 sec

There is no admission fee to get into the orchard, you just pay for what you pick. I am planning to return to the area in a week or so in order to get my fall landscapes. Seeing as my boys have already made their way through half the apples, it may not be a bad idea to go back and restock.

I'm going to add a side note here. If you notice in my settings, my ISO is set at 200. This was purely by mistake and it should have been set to 100 for all the photos. I didn't even notice my mistake until I got home. This is just a friendly reminder (speaking to myself here too), always check your settings! Even if you know they are where they need to be, check them again. Thankfully this was not a huge mistake, but it was an unnecessary one.

And finally, make sure to wear closed toed shoes... it can get a little mushy and slippery out there with all the apples on the ground.

Enjoy the beginning of Autumn and Happy Shooting!

Corrie

edit on 10/10/12 ~ After speaking with the Striblings, they informed me that when an apple has just fallen from the tree, it is actually at perfection... that the apple drops when it when it has gotten the perfect amount of sugar from the tree ~ how cool is that?!? I think with my boys I have to stick with the rule of "no eating apples from the ground" just because there are some mushy ones down there too. But it goes to show that the best fruit may actually be right under your nose!