Monday, January 21, 2013

Rip Van Winkle

Bald Cypresses and Spanish Moss, Magnolia Gardens, Charleston, SC
 © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Wispy clusters of Spanish Moss dangle from a row of bald cypresses reflected in a garden pond. You can see why this mossy epiphyte is sometimes called "old man's beard". I hope if I ever live to be ancient, that I can grow such a beard...
 like Rip Van Winkle.



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27 comments:

  1. orvokkiJanuary 21, 2013 at 1:50 AM

    Fantastisen upea heijastus ja kaunis paikka.

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  2. GinnieJanuary 21, 2013 at 2:25 AM

    HA! You know what they say, Doug: Be careful what you wish for! :)

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  3. JoeJanuary 21, 2013 at 3:27 AM

    Wow. Such a magical place Doug.

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  4. Cezar and LéiaJanuary 21, 2013 at 3:45 AM

    Magnificent reflections!
    Léia

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  5. yzJanuary 21, 2013 at 4:55 AM

    wow, beautiful

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  6. hugoJanuary 21, 2013 at 7:02 AM

    Oh Doug, the mood is incredible! Mysterious and ethereal! Most exquisitely composed and rendered!

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  7. Lili SulastriJanuary 21, 2013 at 8:17 AM

    Lovely reflection.

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  8. BirdmanJanuary 21, 2013 at 9:17 AM

    Doug, you do some fine work!

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  9. georgeJanuary 21, 2013 at 11:58 AM

    A lovely shot that's as mysterious as the contents of an old man's beard!

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  10. VisioplanetJanuary 21, 2013 at 1:07 PM

    Old man's beard indeed! :)

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  11. AnonymousJanuary 21, 2013 at 3:34 PM

    Extraordinaire ce B&W féériques un vrai conte de fées.

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  12. Adrian ParkJanuary 21, 2013 at 4:17 PM

    Beautiful mono conversion resulting in a strong sense of mystery. You do a fine job of showing off your locale!

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  13. ArndJanuary 21, 2013 at 5:30 PM

    Love your fascinating and baffling play with mirror symmetry here. It certainly challenges the eye!

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  14. London CallerJanuary 21, 2013 at 6:54 PM

    Oh boy, like an enchanted wood magically touched by hoar frost.
    You know, we do have old man's beard, a type of climbing plant, in England.
    But no Spanish moss.
    Does Kate Moss count?

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  15. john4jackJanuary 21, 2013 at 7:10 PM

    This is absolutely exquisite. Very fine reflections.

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  16. AnonymousJanuary 21, 2013 at 7:35 PM

    Ooo, it looks like a frosty fairyland since there's no color. It's wonderful!

    Love,
    Sequoia

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  17. rianJanuary 21, 2013 at 8:05 PM

    a beard like that, eh? that'd be cool.. :) this is one beautiful shot of this place.. nicely done!

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  18. HarryJanuary 21, 2013 at 9:38 PM

    A magical view of these trees and moss.

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  19. Crash RyanJanuary 21, 2013 at 10:23 PM

    looks like frost!!!

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  20. Kathryn DycheJanuary 22, 2013 at 8:11 AM

    Your title made me smile and I just love that image. Like some kind of wonderland.

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  21. ChristopherJanuary 22, 2013 at 11:09 AM

    Excellent shot and fantastic choice in post Doug--love this infrared feel--it works perfectly.

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  22. franzJanuary 22, 2013 at 11:59 AM

    eerie looking "bearded" faces and reflections ... like from a gothic tale ...
    (is this infrared ?!?)

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    Replies
    1. Doug HickokJanuary 22, 2013 at 8:49 PM

      Hi Franz! Although it looks like infrared, it is only a straight black and white image, with some green filtration (which lightened-up the plants growing by the water in the lower left). The moss is frosty looking in person, and it contrasts strongly with the deep black water of the pond.

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  23. Andrew Graeme GouldJanuary 22, 2013 at 1:51 PM

    What a picture of tranquility. Beautifully done.

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  24. fabrizioJanuary 23, 2013 at 3:07 AM

    fascinating b/w perfect in its totality

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  25. DomLOrthaJanuary 23, 2013 at 5:57 AM

    Beautiful BW! It works so well with this view!
    Have a nice day.

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  26. MarieJanuary 26, 2013 at 5:00 AM

    très belle composition.

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