Throwback Thursday - Of Things Past

Abandoned Coal Factory, near Sandusky, Ohio  © Doug Hickok


This deteriorating coal factory, long abandoned, symbolizes the Midwest's Rust Belt, a once thriving industrial region that now belongs to an era gone by. It's also appropriate that I made this image, back in 1986, on Kodachrome 25 slide film, another symbolic relic from the past. Kodak recent ended its brand of the once popular film, which began production in 1935, the same year that American's were "swinging" to the boogie of Benny Goodman, driving Studebakers, and paying 10 cents a gallon for gas.

Willy-Nilly Wednesday - All Over The Map

Old Signs, Yellow Springs, Ohio  © Doug Hickok

"Rhino" Tree, Craggy Gardens, Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina  © Doug Hickok

Broken Tile from Demolished Bank, Old Navy Base, North Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok

Pots in a Plot, Old Salem, North Carolina  © Doug Hickok

Blue Marlin Lounge, Edisto Beach, SC  © Doug Hickok

Storm Clouds Clearing, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok

Decorative Hinge, Church Door, Covington, Kentucky  © Doug Hickok

Detail of Placard, Krakow, Poland  © Doug Hickok

Car Advertisement and Church, Slovakia  © Doug Hickok

Mozart Concert Advertisement, Rome, Italy  © Doug Hickok

Detail of Lobster Buoy, Schoodic Peninsula, Maine  © Doug Hickok

Pallet, Crosby's Seafood, Folly Beach, SC  © Doug Hickok

Fish Net Canopy, James Island, SC  © Doug Hickok

Bottom of Swimming Pool Through Water, West Harrison, Indiana  © Doug Hickok

Old Yellow Truck, Beaufort, SC  © Doug Hickok

Beauty Pageant Winner, Window Display, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok


Throwing caution to the wind, I offer you the Willy-Nilly Wednesday special, an aimless assortment of random, seeming unrelated images to send you every which way through the middle of the week. Have Fun.

(So sorry S Duff Bay B Byrd, I couldn't post anymore images. It was wearing me out.)

Shadow Play of the Dwarf Palmettos

Detail of a Dwarf Palmetto Frond, Kiawah Island, SC  © Doug Hickok


In the maritime forests of South Carolina's sea islands, dwarf palmettos grow abundantly, especially in the shady understory of live oaks, southern magnolias, and tall pines. Shown above are the shadows of a palmetto frond projected upon the green fronds of another, by soft afternoon sunlight. One can almost envision a pixie capering up the "stairs" of the frond.


Click here for the answer to Mysterious Monday - Whose Hand?
Shout out to Saverio! If we had a prize, you'd win!

Mysterious Monday - Whose Hand?

Fabric on Display, The Borgo, Rome, Italy  © Doug Hickok


Reaching out from behind a fold of fabric, a hand seeks the light. Whose hand, you may ask, is this? The question looms over us for today's spin on... mysterious Monday.

Saint Philip's Sunday

Saint Philip's Church, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok


Founded in the year 1681, Saint Philip's congregation is the oldest in South Carolina. The original church on this site burned, but it was followed by the structure depicted here, which dates from 1836, and is a National Historic Landmark. At one time, this church was one of only two churches in the United States to have served as a range lighthouse, which helped guide ships safely into Charleston Harbor. It towers above the French Quarter, where you will also find the French Huguenot Church, the Dock Street Theatre, 18th century houses, cobblestone streets, and a number of art galleries, restaurants and cafes. Evenings in the Spring are lovely times to stroll through this area, taking in the historic sites, the fragrant smells of the flowering plants, and the clip clop of horse drawn carriages.

Impression of a Sunrise III

Sunrise Over Charleston Harbor, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view)


Using a quick motion panning the camera, a sunrise over Charleston Harbor becomes an impression of line and color.

(For a look at Impression of a Sunrise I and II, click here.)

Spring In Full Swing

Hidden Fountain Garden, Meeting Street, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok

Front Door, King Street, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok

Foxgloves, Nathaniel Russell House Garden, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok

Courtyard Garden, Water Street, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok

Early Morning Dogwood, East Bay Street, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok

Flowering Crabapple Tree, Washington Park, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok


Springtime in Charleston is in full swing by mid-March. Here is a selection of images from the past few years to give you an idea of our city's spring beauty. Hope you have a wonderful weekend. Enjoy!

Happy Saint Patrick's Day (Read with your best Irish accent)

Irish Harp Gate, Hibernian Hall, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok


Hibernian Hall is the meeting place for Charleston's Hibernian Society, an Irish charitable organization founded in 1801. Above the ornate entrance gate you'll notice a golden Irish harp, an endearing, centuries-old emblem of Ireland and its lovely people. Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, is said to have vanquished the Emerald Isle's pagan gods, using shamrocks as a symbol of the Holy Trinity. Although originally a religious holiday, St. Paddy's Day is more secular now, offering a fine excuse to take a day off, dress in green, don a silly hat, dance a jig or fiddle a little... preferably at a local Irish pub.
As the saying goes, "Everyone is Irish on March 17th".
So have fun being "Irish" today.
Erin go bragh!


Supreme Sweet Sixteen Salutations Sequoia...
and a Sensational Celebratory Soiree to you too!

Ancient Volcanos

Mount Jefferson and The Three Sisters, Cascade Range, Oregon  © Doug Hickok


As dusk settles on the Cascade Range, deep blue and pink hues envelope the peaks and valleys of Mount Jefferson (10,497 ft. elevation) and in the distance, The Three Sisters. As fate would have it, these dormant volcanos are part of the Cascade Volcanic Arc, which extends from Northern California to British Columbia, and includes the not so dormant Mount Saint Helens. When hiking in the remote and rugged wilderness of Mount Jefferson, beware, for The Three Sisters may have their eye on you.


This post is dedicated to LC and to Vulcan, God of Fire, who dwelt in Italy's active volcano, Mount Etna.

The Eyes of March

Ironwork Gate Shadow on Tile, Saint John's Lutheran Church,
Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok

Tall Ship Portals, Union Pier Terminal, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok

Tombstone Stonework, Magnolia Cemetery, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok


On this day, the Ides of March, in the year 44 BC,
Julius Caesar had more than just a bad hair day.
He was assassinated in a ghastly manner by not only his foes, but his friends as well.

Because I don't happen to have any photographs of that event in my archives, I instead present to you my take on the "eyes" of March.

Misty Monday - Communicating with ET?

James B. Edwards Bridge, Daniel Island, SC  © Doug Hickok



Although it may appear that a ray of light is beaming up from this lamp into outer space, in reality, this is not true. It is only a lamppost juxtaposed against a long bridge, cloaked in the mists of early morning. The geometry and perspective of this image create an optical illusion of sorts. So, don't worry everyone. This is not, I repeat, not a covert government operation to communicate with ET... ok?

Family Funday Sunday

Our daughter, Chelsea
(aka Zee Puff Schmooie)
Photo by Mom.

Our son, Adam
(aka cookin' Ochie)
Photo by fashion photographer Billy Graham.

Doug & Becky
(aka Papa Bear and Momster)
Photo by Grammy; smiles by Pop-pop.

Na'vi wannabes
Photo by an Avatar... what!?


Just for fun, here are some family snapshots for today.
Look... you were right!  The face behind that Mardi Gras mask is lovely and adorable!

Here's to enjoying time with your family!
(This post brought to you by Becky.)

Frullati

Cafe near Borgo Pio, Rome, Italy  © Doug Hickok

Today would be a perfect day to find a tranquil spot... off the beaten path.
Relax... pull up a chair and savor a fruit smoothie with me, Roman style.

For Cloud Lovers - Clouds Like Wild Fire

Clouds at Sunset, Oregon Dunes NRA, Oregon  © Doug Hickok

As the day ends, a cluster of clouds blowing inland from the sea is torched by the light of the setting sun, just as they scurry dramatically over a ridge of grassy dunes.
May your weekend be as breathtaking as clouds ablaze with sunset's fire.

Three for Thursday - Reflections in a Ballet Theatre Window

Ballet Shoe, Charleston Ballet Window Display,
Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok

 Ballerina, Charleston Ballet Window Display, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok

Ballet Dancers, Charleston Ballet Window Display,
Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok


Illustrated here, in these three images, is a little dose of Charleston culture and style. The Charleston Ballet Theatre, a professional dance company, stages various performances, both modern and traditional, throughout the year. Additionally, it features a school for aspiring dancers. Reflected in the Theatre window is a yellow Charleston single house, the William Akien House (circa 1810). This National Historic Landmark is a prestigious venue for weddings, dinners, and other special events, and was featured in the 2004 film, The Notebook. 

Ash Wednesday - Angel of Alms

Magnolia Cemetery, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok


Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, traditionally begins a time of prayer, fasting and alms giving for Christians around the world.

If you are in the frame of mind to give alms this Lenten season, please take a moment to visit the site of one of our fellow photographers, Sidney.

Happy Fat Tuesday!

French Quarter, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok

Here is our daughter wearing a Carnevale mask she brought back from Rome. She and her friends are in New Orleans today for the Mardi Gras celebration. So, on that note, happy Fat Tuesday, Shrove Tuesday, Mardi Gras, and Carnival to everyone! Today is the perfect day to feast on the biggest hot fudge sundae you can find.

Mysterious Monday - Porter's Lodge

Porter's Lodge, College of Charleston, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok



What is that skittering sound? 
Is it coming from behind the door? 
I thought I saw a shadow flicker... Am I imagining things? 
No! I definitely heard it this time! 
They say there are ghosts all around Charleston. 
Could it be the ghost of General Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregaurd? 
Or did an alligator find it's way here from the swamp? 
Oh! There it goes again! 
I can't stand it... I have to look. 
Aw man... I'm so embarrassed. It's just up and coming rapper, Zee Puff Schmooie, 
on her iphone, tweeting her latest lyrics to her cookin' producer, A Cee.

Saint Michael's Sunday

Saint Michael's Church, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok

This colonial era church is the oldest in Charleston (1761), and has withstood earthquakes, hurricanes, fires and the bombardments of the American Civil War. It stands today as a symbol of Charleston's enduring qualities.


For different views of this church, see this earlier post and this post.

A Stroll Through Early Spring In Charleston

Balustrade, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok

Piazza and Palm, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok

Saucer Magnolia, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok

Hidden Garden, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok

Old Iron Fence and Camellias, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok

Flowering Cherry Trees, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok


The early Spring blooms continue here in Charleston. On a stroll through parts of the historic district, I discovered plenty of flowers and warm hues to grab my eye.