This summer and fall the Pacific Northwest has had amazingly unusual weather.  In the last 4 or 5 months it has rained  once for literally 60 seconds.  And in October we’ve had all 70+ degree days with full sun and a slight breeze which reminds me of Phoenix in December.  For a girl who loves summer, I could not be happier about the whole thing. Yes, my grass is seriously dead and my garden really struggled this year, but it has been sunny and warm every single day for MONTHS and those other things seem really low on my priority list in comparison.  Typically we get quite a bit of rain even in the summer and by October 1st it seemingly becomes cold, drizzly autumn overnight.  It is about to end however as the rain is forecasted to arrive by Friday and temperatures are going to drop about 20 degrees.  Sigh, it was amazing while it lasted!
Yesterday we visited our favorite local farm.  Last year, we went at a similar time for pumpkin picking and it was raining, cold, and very muddy.  I remember being able to see my breath and I had Eva very bundled to keep warm.  Here are a two images I took last year:
This year was sunny and warm, completely dry and dusty, and the farm was so changed from how it was this time last year, but also just within the last month since I saw it last.  All of the corn was struggling from the draught, all of the dahlias had shriveled up as if in protest, and most of the pumpkin vines had dried up and/or been removed already.  It was a completely different experience.  There was much more play and laughter, short sleeves instead of heavy jackets, and an abundance of dusty dirt came home on us.  I’ve never been to a pumpkin patch when it was so warm outside and I do have it say that it was just delightful.  I don’t know how many years it will be until we have a similar October, but I’d be happy if it was sooner than later.  =)
Here are a few images taken yesterday, showing the difference from this year to last.  A pumpkin patch, completely changed:
Next in our blog circle is the ever inspiring Pamela Joye from Salem, Massachusetts.  Her post can be found here:  http://www.pamelajoye.com/fine-art/?p=2662
you have GOT to print those two haystack photos, start a wall of them & add to it every year. they have such presence & are such a clear statement on the difference between the years. i love that you paired pictures from last year with this year. not only do they look differently due to the weather, they feel differently – as you noted your a summer girl, i feel your happiness in the ones below and a pining for that in the ones above. as a journal, they do impart your sentiments on seasons.
Marla, what a constrast from last year to this year. I love the haystack and pumpkin images!
Oh wow! That b&w image of her on top of that haystack is outstanding!! I love the texture of the hay. I also really like the way you captured the dust being kicked up on that dirt road. I need to get to the pumpkin patch with my kids soon!!
How fun to see the difference from this year and last. It’s amazing how sunlight can change an image so much. I love how the sun is shining on your daughter and on those pumpkins stacked up. The color is so warm and beautiful!
oh marla, this is just gorgeous. the first shot has me holding my breath and shaking my head. i think i’m yearning for that weather 🙂 and the ones from this week just radiate the warmth that you describe. really a beautiful series – the freedom of your girl, the colors, the compositions are exquisite as your eye.
What a contrast in images between this year and last! In last year’s images, I love the pop of red among the dreary backdrop. This year the light and colors are amazing. Though you mentioned everything was shriveled and brown from the lack of rain, you captured the best there was. The orange is spectacular. My favorite is your girl picking a pumpkin – I can’t stop looking at the light and colors in that one. Absolutely beautiful.
Marla, you have conveyed temperature in your photos! Amazing. I feel the chill in the air in last year’s photo and the warm sun shining down in this year’s photos. What a difference…and I don’t blame you for liking the feel of this year more than last’s. Hold on to the warm weather for as long as you can! These are really beautiful!