Autumn Colors in Napa Valley, California

Napa Valley is considered one of the premier wine regions in the world, with hundreds of vineyards set amid rolling hills. I have been there many times, but not every time I could capture the scenes I love, sometimes I was in a rush, other time the weather or lighting wasn't right. Just like wine tasting, not each time you could experience the most delicious taste.

Autumn is always my favorite season. It is still warm, colorful everywhere with harvest, and I usually can get the most of inspiration. Once I saw a perfect wine country scenery just in perfect timing during autumn in Napa, but I forgot to charge the battery in my camera. I guess it is one of the reasons I have to go back. Ha ha ha...

It wasn't easy for agriculture in California since it hasn't rained enough for years. I saw colors are different this year through the incredible scenery, the layering of lines and patterns in the valley. It had built up more ochre yellow all over, especially in those warm tones contrasted by the natural landscape, like red, orange, burnt sienna, burnt umber, including alizarin crimson. How fascinating! Can you believe it? Do you think the lack of water could effect the taste of wine, I wonder?

If you are interested in purchasing the limited prints (wall art), please click the image or view the link: https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/featured/napa-valley-california-xueling-zou.html . Or view more Napa Valley images at: https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/collections/photography+vineyard thanks!

PS. The beauty of Napa Valley in autumn reminds me one of my favorite Chinese poems written by Guo Xiaochuan:


《团泊洼的秋天》—— 郭小川

秋风象一把柔韧的梳子,梳理著静静的团泊洼;
秋光如同发亮的汗珠,飘飘扬扬地在平滩上挥洒。
高粱好似一队队的“红领巾”,悄悄地把周围的道路观察;
向日葵摇头微笑著,望不尽太阳起处的红色天涯。
矮小而年高的垂柳,用苍绿的叶子抚摸著快熟的庄稼;
密集的芦苇,细心地护卫著脚下偷偷开放的野花。

蝉声消退了,多嘴的麻雀已不在房顶上吱喳;
蛙声停息了,野性的独流减河也不再喧哗。
大雁即将南去,水上默默浮动著白净的野鸭;
秋凉刚刚在这里落脚,暑热还藏在好客的人家。
秋天的团泊洼啊,好象在香矩的梦中睡傻;
团泊洼的秋天啊,犹如少女一般羞羞答答。

团泊洼,团泊洼,你真是这样静静的吗?
.......

Original Art Story

Plein Air @ Santa Clara University Santa Clara CA

Portrait and figurative studies of a model

Plein Air @ Ed Levin County Park, Milpitas CA

Plein Air @ Chris' Farm in Campbell CA 加州風景寫生

Plein Air @ Orchard Heritage Park Sunnyvale CA 加州風景寫生

Sketching @ Apple Park Cupertino CA