Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Avery Island & job update

Sorry for the overload of posts and photos lately, but I know if I don't get them out there I'll forget about them, just like so many others. I have tons of photos buried alive on my hard drive, poor things. Once it gets too hot to shoot, I'll probably unearth them. Until then, I'm trying to stay current!

To those of you wondering about the job situation, I have a 2nd interview this Friday! This is the one and only job I've applied for as I'm entering back into the job market very slowly. I really don't HAVE to go back to work right now, but I thought I should dip my toe into the waters to see what's what.

Now for the stragglers from Avery Island:
Tabasco sauce is aged in these white oak barrels
Taken with iPhone and processed in Lightroom and Photoshop

Petit Anse is French for "Little Cove"
Shot with iPhone

According to lore, a Chinese warlord sent this 900 year old Buddha to America as a gift in the 1920s. It sat in a warehouse unclaimed until 1936 when friends of E.A. McIlhenny purchased the statue as a gift and had it sent to Avery Island. Mr. McIlhenny loved it so much that he created a zen-like garden around the statue. It is a very peaceful place. I wish the camelias and azaleas had been in bloom. Must be spectacular!

Taken with my iPhone (I was too lazy to carry my camera up the steps!)


iPhone to the rescue again so I wouldn't have to change lenses (I wanted to get more of the scenery). Lugging the 400mm lens AND a tripod in 90% humidity and 90 degree temps is no easy feat!

View from the Buddha structure
another iPhone shot
Egret breeding platform
Couldn't resist putting up another roseate spoonbill

Spotted several alligators throughout the tour of Jungle Gardens. I'm actually kind of bored with them now. :/
Yesterday we went to Nottoway Plantation in White Castle, LA. Warning: photos coming soon! Today we are headed to the LSU Rural Life museum because Double D has never been. I will not be taking my camera since I've shot there several times. It'll be nice to take a break from photography today, but I'll probably feel naked without my camera. :)

34 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

i love all your pics! keep 'em coming! i'm not bored w/ alligators so keep those coming too! :)

Kittie Howard said...

Fantastic photos, Gail. We visited Avery Island the end of May as hub had never been. Learned from the tour that the island sits atop an underwater mountain of salt taller than Mount Everest. Avery Island is magical, so much there.

the wild magnolia said...

Outrageously stunning photos. We did not go to the Gardens, and now I am triple sorry.

I ❤ the Buddha photos. Love the story...

Thank you for sharing.

Starla said...

I think I need a Budda retreat in my yard!

Great photos (as alwyas!)
Good luck on the job interview!!

Anonymous said...

Ok, ya gotta go back & steal one of those white oak barrels for me so I can turn it into a nightstand! Niiice!

How do ya'll take the heat & such high humidity? I consider it excruciating here in SeMo, but down there it's much much worse! =0

Nadine, Chewy and Lilibell said...

The picture of the view from the Buddha station, of the bridge, is stunning!!

Good luck on the 2nd interview!

Deanna said...

Oh my, my, my...these are all so lovely and so many with your iphone. Must do more of that. Those images of the gardens are so lovely and that egrets, wow, never seen so many all in one place. Good luck on your job search!!

Charlotte Wilson said...

Gail,
What a peaceful place and beautiful Buddha.
Did i ever tell you that my deceased husband's Sicilian family is from White Castle? Very desolate place...I went there once. Didn't really see much but that was when I was young and stupid. Ha!

♥charlotte

Barbara said...

So funny that you're getting bored of the alligators. lol And your iphone shots are better than my 35mm! I know how heavy my 200mm gets, so I guess the 400mm is twice the load - I don't blame you!

Dee said...

You have to go back when everything is in bloom, it's absolutely beautiful. When my son started Kindergarten we lived not far from the gates of Avery Island so he got to go to school (K-6th grade) on the island. He loved it and so did I. It must have been magical for those kids to be able to spend every day looking at those views.

hootnonny said...

I love that barrel! My sister and mother went to Avery Island several times. Believe there's still Tabasco Sauce at their home and she's been gone for nine years!

Am loving the tour of La with you!

Best wishes for a successful job interview - if you want the job. The only job I never got was w/IRS and I prayed all the way home that I would not be offered the job. God works in mysterious ways. Weeks later I got a job w/MSHA and worked there for almost 30 years.

Shug said...

great gator picture...which lens did you use for this one?
I think you could easily have a job in photography if you ever wanted to persue that avenue...You really do very well with your camera...
Hope all works out well with the job interview..
hugs

Nancy said...

Love all of these, Gail. So interesting about the hot sauce! I didn't know it was aged like that. :)

Congrats on the 2nd interview.

Reena said...

Keep the pics coming ... never get bored at looking at your photos! Love the spoonbill!

Kathy said...

You're making me want to get in my truck and do a little traveling. So I bought a LA road map yesterday! First trip will be to the chimpanzee sanctuary at Keithville in a couple of weeks.

Brian King said...

Beautiful photos, Gail! The scenery is gorgeous! I love your alligator photo...that's awesome!

Phil Slade said...

Hay Gail, tell the Alligator close up you're a bit bored with him and see what reaction you get!

rainfield61 said...

I love this place, not until I see the crocodile.

Lisa Gordon said...

These are great Gail, and I LOVE the first one especially.
Will be thinking of you on Friday.
I wish you the best of luck!

La Vie Quotidienne said...

What great pictures. The Buddah is amazing ~ this is such a fascinating place. I remember visitng a plantation and seeing some aligators...it was very exciting.

Anonymous said...

FAbulous fabulous fabulous!

Unknown said...

These are amazing. I am enjoying all you photos my friend. Especially that last shot of the gator.. Excellent!

Good luck tomorrow. I will keep my finger and toes crossed for you!

Hugs~

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

I love your pics. You make me miss the deeper south. GOod luck on your interview!

Laura Delegal - Leroy Photography said...

First, good luck on your second interview tomorrow. But work?? Why? I think I'd rather be running the road like you are now, going to great places on little adventures. :) Good luck just the same.

Michelle said...

I've never heard of Avery Island, though we aren't that far away. The idea of a warlord sending over a Buddha to Louisiana is bizarre! B it did make for beautiful photos. I am thankful for my iPhone on outdoor trips. Instagram helps me justify using it over my camera :)
I hope the interviews go well and you find the perfect place for you.

Anonymous said...

I like the gator's smile!

septembermom said...

Great shots Gail!! Hey and you're a pro with the Iphone too! Love the Buddha retreat area. Looks very relaxing.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Can't decide if I love best your posts about where we've been or your posts about new places to go someday! I loved this tour (in real and again here!) Thanks for sharing and the memories.

Travel With Lulu said...

Great photos!! I have to laugh because all Tabasco sold here has the official royal crest on it because the Queen buys it.

Tina said...

Great iphone shots Gail! So glad you're out and about again. Hope the interview went well!
Gail just read your comment on my blog...thanks for encouraging me in what I write it means a lot to me...

Rosemary Aubut said...

Avery Island looks likes beautiful place to visit. Incredibly awesome shots! Always enjoy my visits here!

Karen @ Pieces of Contentment said...

Top alligator shot and love those spoonbills! Hope the interview went well!

Unknown said...

This looks like a wonderful place to visit.
Thank you.
Love that Buddha house
and the view from there
and the spoonbill
and the Tabasco barrel...
okay, love all the photos.

Michelle said...

I love the last shot of the "happy" alligator. I hope Friday's interview went well!!!