Friday, April 17, 2015

Barefoot Boys in Bluebonnets | 2015

Ok, they weren't barefoot the whole time. They somewhat carefully trapsed all around the fields and had the best time. And occasionally indulged me with a few photos...you know, basically the entire reason we were out there. AND we did it twice this year. Yep. Which is crazy if you have any idea how hard it is to photograph your own children in the evening (or anytime).

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The reason for our two trips was basically weather. This has been a soggy spring in our area. Once I noticed the bluebonnets blooming, I started looking at the forecast, which was showing little to no sunshine over the next week or so and a lot of rain. One evening, I spontaneously decided to take advantage of a lull in the rain and head out to the fields because I was afraid I wouldn't have time between the weather and our schedule to get any photos otherwise. The bluebonnets don't last forever. It was completely overcast, but not raining, when we got there and the field was not too wet. 

Here are some of the shots from our first trip to the field last week:

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Once I get this one smiling...

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...it's pretty hard to get him to stop. 

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This field (our normal one, that didn't bloom at all last year) was not as thick as it usually is, and the grasses were already overtaking the bluebonnets a little. But hopefully it will continue to get back to where it was. It's still the closest (nice) bluebonnet field (that I know of) to us. 

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They can't help being silly. I keep shooting, because I love shots like these. 

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Ethan loved the poppies. At least that's what I think they are...the red flowers. 

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Toward the end of our visit, it started sprinkling (you can kind of see it in the last two photos above). Not a lot, really, but it was grey, and blah, and sprinkling. And when I looked at my photos later on the computer, they were fine, but the lighting was bothering me. I started getting the feeling that I'd like to go again with a little sun...if possible.

So, a couple of days ago, on an actually sunny day, we went back out and got these:

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Looking at them back to back, they are a little repetitive of the photos from last week. BUT the light is just so much better! And no sprinkling is good too. 

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This time Ethan found a lady bug and coaxed it onto his finger from one of the bluebonnets. 

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Being goofy means you sometimes fall over. And again, I kept shooting. His expression is one of my favorites. 

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Although I wish I had positioned myself differently for this photo (without their heads in the horizon/trees), I love how this shows them having fun together. They are crazy. 

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Another great thing about taking a second trip out to the bluebonnet fields is that Mimi was able to join us this time. She usually goes, but since my last trip was so spontaneous, she was out of town and missed it. 

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Again...Ethan with the poppies. He was fascinated. 

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This last one ended up being my favorite from both of the sessions. It's such a crazy Texas tradition...taking photos in the bluebonnets, but I really love doing it! Well, actually, let's say that I really love the resulting photos. Most of the time, the process is one part fun with three parts frustration. Ha!

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