Gizdich is a working fruit ranch in Watsonville with acres of apple orchards and berry patches. You can pick your own strawberries or buy them by the flat in the produce store. For this photographer, visual overload hit as soon as I stepped out of my car. Farm equipment (some working and some in neglected disrepair), old cars and motorcycles, antiques, barns, junk piles and scenic vistas reminiscent of Tuscany triggered a fit of ADD. I turned in circles not knowing where to go first. I chose the closest orchard. 
I walked in and focused on the apples. The wide expanse of rows and structure had a calming effect and I started seeing forms and color and details. At 7:30am, the overcast, gray sky provided perfect diffused light.
There was enough in the orchards to occupy me for hours, but I knew there was more so I set about exploring. Behind the barn, a crippled motorcycle and a blue, decrepit VW Bug were surrounded by a junk yard of rusting plow and tractor parts. Everything was seemingly held together by spider webs.
Inside a shed, I spied a snake pile of irrigation hoses. I was intrigued by the repetitious, circular lines, but didn't think that translated into an interesting photo, so panned the camera during the exposure to create a special effect.
As I continued to explore, interesting subjects presented themselves, some crying out, "Take my picture." I accommodated as many as I could until the sun broke through (ruining the beautiful light), and hoards of people arrived. I was too tired to continue. I packed up and drove home.
I really like the old faded fence with red and green follage..neat..Mike Winn
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