Windmill in the Bois de Boulogne. As always, click photos to enlarge.
The moat surrounding the windmill and a caretaker's cottage.
The caretaker's cottage and steps leading to the windmill on its little island.
A glimpse of the windmill through the trees.
Trees reflected in the moat leading towards Hippodrome de Longchamp, Europe's largest flat-racing course. The spring season at Longchamp begins on April 2.
Buds on trees and a small creek and dilapidated fence in the Bois.
A willow blowing in the fierce March winds along the bank of a pond.
Scroll down the page for another post today.
Fantastic views! I wish I lived there...
Posted by: Tanya Bond | 07 April 2009 at 00:47
Love your pics ! I've never been to Bois de Boulogne, now be sure I would stop there ...
Posted by: Mélanie Aussandon | 29 March 2009 at 19:29
I loved the afternoon my husband and I spent bicycling in the Bois, only seeing a fraction of it.
Your photographs are like a story book, lush and almost fantastical.
Posted by: Ruth | 28 March 2009 at 15:34
Thank you very much, Robin! It's a good time of year to capture these images in the Bois. In the winter, it's all fairly dull and grey.
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 27 March 2009 at 11:50
Susanna, thank you for the encouraging words!
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 27 March 2009 at 11:48
i am with gillian (sans the swearing since she already covered those expletives:) these are soo wonderful! they are just bigger than life and the colors, the setting..sigh i would love to see that view of the moat with my own two eyes...and camera! these are very professional. bravo!
Posted by: Robin Laws | 27 March 2009 at 02:48
Your images and words inspire me creatively and bring peace and joy to my days.
Thank you Tara!
Posted by: Susanna | 27 March 2009 at 01:35
Nancy, thank you so much! It will be great to see you here next year. xoxox
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 26 March 2009 at 15:31
Oh Tara! Your photos are so beautiful. Looking at them makes my heart soar. They are gorgeous! Sigh......I miss that amazing city that you call home. (We're planning our next trip in 2010. See you then!)
Posted by: Nancy Sotham | 26 March 2009 at 15:01
Relyn, thank you so much! Your kudos are much appreciated.
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 26 March 2009 at 11:28
Jeanie, so good to hear from you; glad you're doing well after your surgery. The Bois is right across the street from my apartment, on the Western edge of Paris. If you have time, I'll take you there. Thanks for your lovely compliments about the photos!
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 26 March 2009 at 11:27
Thank you, dear peasant girl. I'm still learning, but am having fun figuring out some of the camera's tricks. Yes, waiting for that day when the planets align just so! Love to you, too! xoxox
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 26 March 2009 at 11:20
Rebecca, thank you. And you are very much in my thoughts and prayers. xo
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 26 March 2009 at 11:19
Jan, so nice of you to stop by. Thanks for the kind words.
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 26 March 2009 at 11:18
Well it was fun, except for carrying the heavy gear. :) Thanks for the kind words. xoxox
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 26 March 2009 at 11:18
Coming from you, that's quite a compliment. Merci! xo
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 26 March 2009 at 11:17
Constance, I appreciate the kudos! But I'm still figuring out the camera's technical capabilities; I have a steep learning curve ahead. xoxox
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 26 March 2009 at 11:17
Dawn, thank you so much. I hope you get to visit the Bois someday.
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 26 March 2009 at 11:16
It doesn't even look real, it's so beautiful. Do real people actually live like that? Did they, I guess is a better question. Man!!!!!! Gorgeous photography, really, really beautiful.
Posted by: Relyn | 26 March 2009 at 07:16
Why yes we do! I'd rather be near your park with the windmill, at the moment! Thanks for the props.
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 25 March 2009 at 19:40
Thank you! But I expect you can; as you know, much of it is a matter of practice and becoming familiar with the technical bells and whistles - something I'm still figuring out. My only complaint about the A900 is how heavy it is, particularly with a Zeiss lens, the vertical grip and the flash. My Sony A350 (which I adore, especially the live view) feels light as a feather, in comparison.
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 25 March 2009 at 19:36
Oh, Tara, it's so beautiful. These are so very beautiful. And so I will be there -- well, maybe not THERE -- I'm not sure where Bois de Bologne is -- but closer than I am now! Counting down to June!
I've tried to get in and the computer, being rather slow, has been keeping me out, but I'm glad I finally landed. Still off on medical leave and dutifully doing my therapy to get me in gear for travel!
These really are stunning. Thank you for taking me away from gloomy Michigan and into your world today!
Posted by: jeanie | 25 March 2009 at 19:16
24.6 megapixels is serious! I shoot with a sony with a zeiss lens too, but mine is just an elaborate point-and-shoot. Now if I could only shoot like you...
Posted by: dutchbaby | 25 March 2009 at 18:32
Leaps.
Bounds.
Your photography knows no limits.
Holy shit Tara. Seriously.
Bloody gorgeous!!!
Sorry for swearing. I'm a peasant sometimes, I cannot elp meself.
Wish I had been strolling with you! Maybe when the planets align just so again.
xoxxo
Love to you and your gorgeous photography!!!!
Posted by: Gillian daSilva | 25 March 2009 at 03:20
i would love to be there. love the banner it is so my color...if you have any extra prayers please send them my way...blessings, rebecca
Posted by: Cre8Tiva | 25 March 2009 at 02:19
Merci bien, mon ami. xo
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 24 March 2009 at 22:49
Hello came via Di of DB
Beautiful work!
Posted by: Jan | 24 March 2009 at 21:46
Oh, how lovely! Like a fairytale...
What fun you must have had, strolling through there! xo
Posted by: tinker | 24 March 2009 at 21:37
Congrats. These are beautiful!
Posted by: Di | 24 March 2009 at 21:08
Oh my!! Looks like you've been to heaven! Thank you for sharing your world with us here Tara! Di linked you today and she is right, you really do take the best photographs!
I too congratulate you on your new gear. When I grow up, I'm going to get a better camera!!
xox
Constance
Posted by: Rochambeau | 24 March 2009 at 18:57
This is the most wondrous place, Tara. Your photos are so well done. They make me wish I could step through and visit the place today.
Posted by: Dawn | 24 March 2009 at 18:52
Just think, we both live near parks that have windmills in them. ;-)
These photos are gorgeous. Congratulations on all of the new gear.
Posted by: tangobaby | 24 March 2009 at 17:49
Tara these images are worthy of a fairytale! Gorgeous photography what a place to visit!! Certainly a wonderful walk with Nature! hugs from AZ naturegirl
Posted by: naturegirl | 24 March 2009 at 17:35
The Bois was never so beautiful.... ;)
Posted by: Colette | 24 March 2009 at 17:05
Thank you so much! Very kind of you.
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 24 March 2009 at 15:18
Thank you, Rosemary. Do come and visit! I live just across the street. xo
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 24 March 2009 at 15:17
Scotty, thanks for the kudos. Yes, you should visit the Bois de Boulogne when you can - just not in winter, as it's rather bleak and grey then.
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 24 March 2009 at 15:16
Absolutely! Thanks so much, Debra.
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 24 March 2009 at 15:16
Muchas gracias, Yoli! The Bois can be very beautiful, although rather bleak in winter.
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 24 March 2009 at 15:15
Thanks, dearest Am. Wish I'd had this camera w/ me in San Francisco. Next trip! xo
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 24 March 2009 at 15:14
Thanks for the lovely compliment, Sue!
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 24 March 2009 at 15:14
Oh thank you, Helen! It's not quite as spring-like as it looks in the photos, though. Although if the winds would calm down, it probably would feel warmer. Hope you see a glimmer of spring soon - I guess you still have snow, with 21F?
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 24 March 2009 at 15:13
Thank you, Christina! This particular camera has some challenging features that I'm still figuring out. But I love it (except that it's heavy. And I walked for three miles with it, while taking these photos. :) xo
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 24 March 2009 at 15:12
Thanks, Di. This particular camera is great at capturing the detail. I'm still learning all its tricks. I appreciate the nod! xoxox
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 24 March 2009 at 15:10
Beautious!!! These are wonderful.
Posted by: Se'Lah | 24 March 2009 at 15:06
Thank you so much! I am having fun experimenting with the camera.
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 24 March 2009 at 14:29
Merci bien! These photos are with the aid of the sharp (24.60 megapixel) SonyA900 and a brilliant Carl Zeiss wide-angle zoom lens.
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 24 March 2009 at 14:27
My, my, my! These are so beautiful. Are these taken with your new lens? So sharp! Beautiful colors
Posted by: dutchbaby | 24 March 2009 at 13:53
Breathtaking photos and scenes! It isn't quite spring here yet. It's only 21F here this morning so I am really longing for spring and its pastel and subtle colors. These photos are wonderful.
Posted by: Helen | 24 March 2009 at 13:01
Seriously, you are rockin that camera! : ) These are enchanting! Yes, enchanting!
xo
Posted by: Christina | 24 March 2009 at 12:55