Thursday, December 1, 2011

Indian Summer

A Century Old Bridge and Azaleas, Magnolia Gardens, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok
(click for larger view)
Row of Bald Cypress Trees and Cypress Knees, Magnolia Gardens, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok

Coleus Plant, Magnolia Gardens, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok


This past November was uncommonly warm for the Lowcountry. On a recent stroll at Magnolia Gardens, we discovered evidence of the Indian Summer-like weather... azaleas in bloom! This was unusual. These showy ornamental shrubs typically flower in the springtime here in Charleston. But they were apparently fooled 
into blossoming a second time by the string of 70 degree temperature days.

Magnolia Gardens and Plantation is one of four old southern plantations near Charleston open to visitors. It features a sprawling informal English-style garden centered around a natural Cypress swamp. Bald cypress trees thrive in the humid wetlands of the coastal plain, their vast network of shallow roots often growing above water to form what are called "cypress knees".

Some of the larger types of wildlife seen in this and nearby habitats are American alligators, North American river otters, Great Blue Herons, Snowy Egrets, Anhingas, Wood Ducks and Short Spectacled Photographers.

(We were able to enjoy the afternoon at the gardens because our friends, 
Sean and Kristin, were married here... Congratulations!)

27 comments:

  1. Gorgeous reflections in the first two photos - and azaleas blooming in November - incredible!

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  2. Pictures has nice colors and lovely reflections....good photo's Doug.

    Regards, Joop

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  3. My goodness, you have certainly visited some photogenic places.

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  4. The photo of the cypress trees really speaks to me. It's really special.

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  5. mr. brattcat and i would definitely enjoy visiting these gardens. congratulations to sean and kristin.

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  6. Very nice colours and I liked these pictures.
    Unfotunately we have problem with seasons here in Hungary too. Actually it's very dry means no any serious rain since beginning of July! :(
    Greetings.

    ps Congratulations to Sean and Kristin. Although I don't know them but the marriage is a nice thing :))

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  7. here it was also the warmest November since many years, I hope it will continue as we had really havy winters 3 last years

    I love esp the misterious view on the second picture!

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  8. U nas też jest ciepło jak na ta porę roku, ale azalie nam nie zakwitły. Przepiękne oba zdjęcia z parku. Pozdrawiam

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  9. outstanding spring motives in autumn, with azaleas, the cousins of my favorite rhododendron! how nice! i hope you also had a chance to encounter some of those "short spectacled photographers" in the wild - i hear they are quite harmless if not unduly provoked ... ;-))

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  10. wow those trees look really cool. Reminds me of something dinos would be munching on.

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  11. I am impressed by cypress bald some specimens of which I saw in Louisiana. They are magnificent trees when they have their red color. A very beautiful Indian summer

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  12. Wonderful colors for a gorgeous Indian summer!

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  13. As I see them from here, the second photo is especially nice...

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  14. It is always nice to take a photo of an object with some flowers in the foreground.

    Greetings,
    Filip

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  15. Ha! Short spectacled photographers.
    This English garden is actually very Everglades.
    Cypress swamp, air plants, egrets...
    See you later, alligator.

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  16. The warmth of colour in these feels very inviting.

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  17. beautiful colors and reflections

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  18. This is the brighe, awesome photo, my fryday post also is about a brighe very close to my town because this week in Spain we have many fiesta days so we call to this brighe.
    Greetings
    Happy Indian Summer.

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  19. magnifiques couleurs dans cette série.

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  20. A nice set of pics, I particularly like the row of cypress trees with the gorgeous reflections.

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  21. Ah, the elusive short spectacled photographer--they're so much fun to see in the wild. You have so much color around you Doug--beautiful series.

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  22. Three beautiful pictures! I love the second one! Great work.
    Have a nice day.

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  23. these sure look beautiful.. i especially liked the detail you captured in the last photo.. well done.. :)

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