Rivers of Stone

McKinney Falls State Park, Austin, Texas  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Channels of erosion in limestone rock form "rivers of stone" at McKinney Falls State Park in Austin, Texas. The Cretaceous age limestone is the result of an ancient shallow sea which covered present day Texas.

A Real Survivor

Drayton Hall and Live Oak Shadows, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Drayton Hall is one of the few plantation houses to survive from the colonial era. It was built in 1742 and designed in the Italian style of Palladio. In contrast to most of the other Charleston area plantations, it endured the marauding forces of both the Revolutionary War and the Civil War, persevering in its original state. 

Unlike players on reality TV, Drayton Hall is a real survivor.

Antebellum Mansion

Antebellum Mansion, South Battery, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved





An antebellum mansion looms above South Battery in evening light. A low angle view brings out quintessential Charleston elements of architecture... 
a tall ornate gate, multi-columned piazza and hipped roof.

Soccer at the Colosseum

Souvenir Bus, Rome, Italy  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Velvia slide film)



Where is the best place to buy souvenirs when in Rome? Probably in front of the Colosseum. You can buy a soccer ball and kick it around with your friends where plebeians once cheered the gladiators of ancient Rome. And don't forget to buy a delicious ice cream afterwards... GOOOOOOAL!

Fan the Cotton

Fan and Cotton Shirts, Al Ain, UAE  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Not only does this fan cool the room,
 it's also perfect for hanging cotton shirts to dry.

And yes, the word cotton comes from the Arabic qutn.

To see more photographs from our UAE trip, take a look at my new tumblr blog

Old Rusty

Rusty Truck, Denny's Classic Cars, Elko, South Carolina
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved 
(Click on image for larger view)



This aged truck once enjoyed a vigorous life with a fresh green coat of paint. But since retirement, its splendid green has faded as it languishes in abandonment, subject to corrosive elements of the weather. It has remained sedentary for so long it is known now for its bright red hues, hence the name Old Rusty. 

Farms

Fence Post on a Farm, near Dayton, Ohio  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Velvia slide film)



There is nothing quite like the textures at farms... the rough hardwood of fences and barns, the bristly fur of livestock, the soft feathers of fowl, the delicate leaves of crops and gardens, the cool metal of machinery, the firm yet friable feel of the earth... the simple joy of being connected with the land.

The View from Rough Ridge

Boardwalk, Tanawha Trail, Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view)



Along Rough Ridge, the Tanawha Trail becomes a boardwalk over a 
fragile mountain-heather ecosystem. Rhododendrons bloom rosy hues while 
in the distance the Line Cove Viaduct, part of the Blue Ridge Parkway, 
can be seen below a cliff.

Scenes like this make me long for the mountains!

Fading Pine

Old Pine Tree, Lily Lake and Long's Peak, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
 © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved




The solitary remains of an old pine overlooks a lake in the Rocky Mountains. 
As this tree fades to dust, younger pines growing near by will replace it. 
The life cycle continues.

A Subtle Touch

Hand Rail, Saint Philip's Church, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved


A little curl at the end gives this hand rail a subtle touch of ornamentation which one might overlook on their way to Sunday services.

A Folly Stonehenge

Ruins of a Jetty, Folly Beach, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view)



This "Stonehenge" on Folly Beach is nothing more than the rotting
remains of an old jetty. Despite man's best efforts, constant erosion
by wind and water whittle away the beaches. And yet, we continue
to be drawn to the magnificent, natural boarder of land and sea.

Deep South

Rural Road, Edisto Island, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Velvia slide film)



A scene on Edisto Island symbolizes the way many envision the Deep South...
a tunnel of live oak limbs festooned with Spanish moss,
arching over a rural road... y'all.

Throwback Thursday - The Battery's Blooming Oleanders

Flowering Oleanders, East Battery, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Velvia slide film)



Years ago one of the spectacles of Charleston was the colorful and profuse blooming of oleanders along the entire length of East Battery. It was one of my favorite places to go to capture the picturesque beauty of the city.

But in recent years the parks department has kept the fast growing shrubs trimmed low, and the abundant flowers no longer frame the views of the old antebellum mansions.

Peaceful Beginnings

Old Canon and General Moultre Statue, The Battery, Charleston, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view)



A quiet morning at The Battery shows an old canon and a statue of General Moultre facing sunrise over the harbor. William Moultre's defense of the harbor at Sullivan's Island prevented the British from capturing Charleston in the early stages of the American Revolution.

Even with all the military reminders at The Battery, it is the perfect locale for a peaceful day's beginning.

Accent in Green

Tidal Marsh Grass, Mt. Pleasant, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Velvia slide film)



I made this image of wavy salt marsh grass looking straight down from the Ravenel Bridge several years ago. I was captivated by the strong color and texture, a perfect match for the Velvia slide film I was using at the time. Spoleto chose the shot as an accent image in this year's ticket brochure.

Noh Play to Miss

Dock Street Theatre, French Quarter, Charleston, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Velvia slide film)



A spotlight venue for Spoleto performances is the old Dock Street Theatre. Included in this year's shows is Matsukaze, a Japanese Noh play made into an opera... sung in German with English subtitles... directed by a Chinese director... in Charleston's French Quarter.  You don't want to miss this one!

Iconic Landmark

Steeple of Saint Philip's Church, French Quarter, Charleston, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Saint Philip's Church is an iconic landmark in Charleston's French Quarter, where many art galleries and restaurants can be found. The French Quarter is also a busy locale for Spoleto events.

The city of Charleston holds its own version of Spoleto called Piccolo Spoleto. Historic Saint Philip's Church is the venue for one of the Piccolo events, a choral music performance featuring the Singers of Summerville.

Lights on Shem Creek

Bokeh Lights, Shem Creek, Mt. Pleasant, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved


This is one of the images used in the design of the Spoleto Festival USA ticket brochure... it makes a nice soft background for overlay of copy.

2013 Spoleto Festival USA

2013 Spoleto Festival USA Ticket Brochure Cover
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved


Spoleto Festival USA begins in Charleston today. It is a much celebrated annual event that runs for about two weeks, and is one of the largest international arts festivals in the world.

One of my ironwork images was selected for the ticket brochure cover this year. The marketing department at Spoleto favors images that have a strong graphic design while also hinting at the unique character of Charleston. The talented designers at Stitch Design Co. chose one of my photographs and transformed it into a terrific cover image.

I am honored to have a guest appearance on the Spoleto Festival USA blog this year as well. I wrote a brief entry on how I go about making photographs of Charleston.

I also have Spoleto prints for sale in the Charleston Crafts gallery at 161 Church Street near the Market.

Palace Coffee Room

Coffee Room, Al Ain Palace, Al Ain, UAE  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Of all the rooms in all the palaces and hotels and resorts in the UAE, this one would be my favorite... the coffee room in Sheikh Zayed's palace. This is where he entertained his guests while serving fresh Arabian coffee straight from the coals.

Coffee is an excellent word... a very excellent word... one which I love to use freely in daily conversation. Yes, it is derived from the Arabic qahwah, which means any stimulating drink, but especially the one which Doug drinks with relish

Today's post concludes our UAE series. I hope you have enjoyed them as much as we did! Tomorrow I will switch to regular programing, featuring images of Charleston and other points on the compass. But because I have so many images from the UAE, I will continue to post them occasionally.