Foothills Hike

Pinyon Pine, Foothills of Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Bordering the Great Sand Dunes of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains are foothills covered with Pinyon pine and Rocky Mountain juniper. Becky and I hiked a trail here one morning doing one of our favorite outdoor activities... birdwatching.

 A twitter here, a twitter there, a little brown bird flitting in the brush... well, the morning was tranquil and beautiful, but the birds were elusive.

Still it was great to be outdoors.

Colossal

Caesar Augustus, Belvedere Courtyard, Vatican Museum, Vatican City, Italy
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved (Velvia slide film.)



An ancient sculptured head of Caesar Augustus is not only massive in size,
 but also suggests the ruler's colossal impact on the course of
 western civilization as the founder of the Roman Empire.

Carolina Days

Sunset, White Point Gardens, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
 (Click on image for larger view.)



Another clear winter day in the Carolinas comes to a close
 with a sunset at Charleston's White Point Gardens.

Ridge and Valley

Sunlight on Mountain Ridges, Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved (Velvia slide film.)



A setting sun warmly illuminates ridgeline trees
while valleys are blanketed with cool autumn shadows
in the Southern Appalachian Mountains.

Masonry Frame

Arches and Cross, Mission San Jose, San Antonio, Texas
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved 
(Velvia slide film.)



An open archway at Mission San Jose provides
 a natural frame for its humble cross.

Seaward Winds

Coastal Live Oaks, Kiawah Island, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view. Velvia slide film.)



A copse of coastal live oaks is shaped by the constant force of seaward winds, much like the hair on my head is shaped by the force of the hairstylist's blow dryer.

The Magnetism of Donuts

Trevi Fountain, Rome, Italy  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view. Velvia slide film.)



Tossing a coin into the Trevi Fountain and wishing for a return visit to Rome actually works. We've been back to Rome several times. And I think I know why.

There is a scientific cause and effect explanation for everything that occurs. So I surmise that these Baroque sculptures contain incredibly powerful magnets which pull humans back to them, even from distant corners of the planet.

 This would also explain why hoards of people swarm around the fountain, like ants swarm around donuts at a picnic. Wait, that would mean the fountain is made of donuts. Ok, let me rethink my supposition.

Waiting

Great Blue Heron, West Ashley Park, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



A quiet mist envelopes a statuesque heron waiting for the decisive moment
to strike its prey. Camouflage, calm and patience are the way of life for such
a ninja hunter as this one.

Festive Lights

Holiday Lights, Centennial Olympic Park, Atlanta, Georgia
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view.)



A dazzling arrangement of tree limbs and holiday lights
adds a festive touch to Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta.

Staying Respectable

Fence Line, Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Velvia slide film.)



While hiking along the Blue Ridge Parkway, on a trail bordered by an old fence, light from the setting sun made everything golden.

This rustic fence line caught my eye. I thought a low point of view would simplify the scene, separating it from the background of mountains.

So as the light began to fade, I stooped low and grabbed the shot. Luckily, for the sake of my respectable reputation, I did not stoop too low.

Pink Flamingo

Pink Flamingo, Folly Beach, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



The strangest sights are seen on Folly Beach. I stumbled upon this pink flamingo, which alighted in a planter and stood perfectly still against a turquoise wall.
 I could not help but trip the shutter.

Gingerbread House?

Steps and Door, Old Salem, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Velvia slide film)



Though this house is clearly not made of gingerbread, there is a bakery near by. Perhaps the delicious aromas wafting through the air enticed me to photograph this visual treat.

Old Mine

Abandoned Mine, near Red Mountain Pass, San Juan Mountains, Colorado
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



The mountains in Colorado are rich in mineral deposits. Mining is a prevalent part of the state's economy, but many old mines sit abandoned, symbols of the industry's boom and bust tendency.

Shapes and Shadows

Shapes and Shadows, Fairmont Bab Al Bahr Hotel, Abu Dhabi, UAE
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



An interesting play of shapes and shadows creates
 a visual attraction at the Fairmont Hotel in Abu Dhabi.

Throwback Thursday - Coast Patrol

Morris Island Lighthouse and Helicopter, James Island, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Kodachrome film)



I pulled this old Kodachrome slide from my files and, to my surprise,
it scanned well enough in spite of how dark the film had become over the years.
It shows Morris Island Lighthouse in morning light, and a Coast Guard chopper whooshing past, patrolling the shoreline.

Glowing Lantern

Dry Dock Boat, Charleston Harbor Marina, Mt. Pleasant, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Held aloft at the marina, this pleasure boat
catches the light of the setting sun,
causing its pilot house to illuminate like a glowing lantern.

Real and Symbolic

Fleurs-de-Lis Fence and Camellias, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



The hard metallic sheen of wrought iron fleurs-de-lis provide a keen contrast
 to the soft organic blooms of red camellias. Charleston displays flowers, both literally and figuratively, at any time of year.

Misty Monday - Breakfast of Egrets

Marshland and Great Egret, West Ashley Park, Charleston, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view.)



Not far from where I live there is a small suburban park that I visit regularly. I enjoy watching the wildlife in the wetlands, and on this misty morning,
 I spotted a Great Egret hunting for a fishy breakfast.

Lanterns of Venice

Row of Lanterns, Piazzetta di San Marco, Venice, Italy
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view. Velvia slide film.)



In and around St Mark's Square there are many sights that grab one's attention. In this instance, I found delight in a row of decorative lanterns that complement the Gothic facade of the Doge's Palace, where the rulers of Venice once lived.

Roper Mansion

Antebellum Mansion, East Battery, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Velvia slide film.)



The Roper mansion occupies a prominent spot on The Battery overlooking Charleston harbor. The wealthy cotton planter, Robert William Roper, 
built his edifice in 1838 with the intension of it being the first house seen by ships sailing into Charleston from the sea. It is difficult to miss, even today.