Tulipalooza!

Oh.....my......gosh.....

I've never seen so many tulips in my life!

Windmill and tulip field

It's a Portland tradition to visit the Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm near Woodburn, Oregon for their spring bloom.  Offering 40 acres of colorful tulips, it's a lovely kaleidoscope of colors. 

Sea of tulips...

BUT - in all the years I've lived in Oregon I'd yet to visit.  Last year, after seeing friend's photos and hearing great things about the tulip fest, I vowed to be there for spring 2015.

Mud puddle reflections

I love finding and following local Oregon bloggers.  This past year, I discovered Becky's blog, and became one of her blogging buddies.  We shared a mutual love of photography and discussed someday getting together for a photo session.

Becky lives near the tulip farm, and visits annually.  When I expressed a desire to to attend this year's fest, Becky generously offered to show me around.

Two-tone beauty

Early Good Friday morning found me heading south to the famous fields.  Although I didn't quite make sunrise, I did arrive before the day's crowds.  The fields were empty except for a few early bird photographers.

Looking up a row

While waiting for Becky, I wandered over to the main tent area.  It was decked out with several pots of different tulips.  A cute wooden windmill had been placed nearby.  Tulip fields spread out in all directions, as far as the eye could see.

Old tractor in the field

Holy cow, was there a lot of tulips!  Everywhere I looked, bands of brightly blooming flowers beckoned.  Where to begin?

Flowers up to the wheels

Lucky for me, about this time Becky arrived.  After initial hellos, I followed her lead, tagging along as she took shots of her favorite varieties.

Lovely red ones

There were so many things to photograph!  Along with the stunning rows of tulips, in every hue imaginable, the farm had also parked vintage tractors in random locations.  Brightly colored benches were located in strategic places.

Becky and I take a breather

Good for tired photographers to take a break!  (Don't you just love my muddy knees?)

Colorful stripes

Beings it was Good Friday, Becky had brought a cross she'd made from two sturdy twigs, wrapped with a red ribbon.  She took many shots of her cross amongst the tulips.

Becky with her cross

I captured a pic of Becky holding her cross above the flower fields.  A spur of the moment shot, when later reviewing the day's photos, this image stood out.  I think it's one of my favorites from the day. 

The fields go on and on...

This photo illustrates the vast size of the tulip fields.  Wide bands of color stretched out towards the horizon.  Amazing...incredible.....gorgeous....stunning....

Lacy pink tulip

I've never seen so many different colors or varieties of tulips.  Like these lacy, pink ones.

Out standing in the field!

Not only was Becky a great guide, she was also a good sport, posing for fun shots like this one. 
("The  hills are alive......with the colors of tulips...")

My fave picture

Probably my favorite was this patch of multicolored tulips.  Such pretty subjects, I wandered this field for a long time (and took a bazillion photos).

Rows of color

Some of the most interesting angles were achieved by getting down low and shooting towards the sky (now you know how I got the muddy knees!)

Reaching for the sky

By mid-morning, droves of people began flocking in.  It became hard to get a shot without someone in it.  And the wind began to kick up.  Although rain had been forecast, we'd lucked out with a dry morning.  But I could tell it wasn't gonna last.

Can't have tulips without wooden shoes

So Becky and I wandered over to the gift shop area.  Lots of people she knew were either working, or visiting the farm, and I met quite a few of her friends.  I even met Becky's daughter, who works at the tulip farm during bloom season.

Yellow wave

A large number of lovely bouquets were for sale, and Becky's daughter was nice enough to give me one.  I picked a bunch of gorgeous white and pink striped tulips.  So pretty, they'd make a nice centerpiece for my upcoming Easter dinner.

My own lovely bouquet

By one o'clock, rain droplets began spattering the ground.  But I was on my way home by then, a memory card full of wonderful shots from this extraordinary place.

Thanks Becky for showing me around!  We'll have to team up again.

(And please stop by Becky's blog to say hi! Tell her I sent ya.)


Sharing with:  Weekly Top Shot and Scenic Weekends