Waterfront Park Morning

Ornate Bench, Waterfront Park, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved


This week I wish to feature several of the parks and greenspaces in and around Charleston. I do this as a dedication and thanks to the folks at the Parks Commission, whose vision, development and maintenance of our beautiful parks grace
 and accent our surroundings.


Charleston's Waterfront Park faces the harbor and offers splendid views of sunrises. It has two fountains, one of them being the Pineapple Fountain,
 shown here in the background.


This ornate bench is a variation on the Charleston Battery Bench, a style of outdoor seating unique to Charleston. The design dates from the 1800's, and features a cast iron motif of Lowcountry flora and fauna. At that time, the Carolina Parakeet, shown here upside down, was a common sight in the coastal plains, and was famous for appearing in large colorful flocks. The Seminole indians called it pot pot chee, "head of yellow."

Early Morning

Saint Michael's Church and Broad Street, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view)


An early Sunday morning view down Broad Street shows how quiet a busy tourist town like Charleston can be.
 This peaceful time of day is my favorite time of day for photography.

Titus

Arch of Titus, Roman Forum, Rome, Italy  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Velvia slide film. Click on image for larger view)


1,930 years ago, the military exploits of Roman Emperor Titus were recounted in stone on this handsome arch, which spans the Via Sacra in the Roman Forum. In spite of the many centuries since then, it still stands strong. It was perhaps the most attractive of all triumphal arches, and served as a model for many that followed including the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

It was during the rein of Titus Flavius Caesar Vespasianus Augustus that the Colosseum was finally completed, and Mount Vesuvius famously erupted, burying the city of Pompeii.

When I was a kid, I had a pet frog named Titus Andronicus.
 He croaked quotes from Shakespeare.
 Oh, he was a piece of work!

Arabian Nights?

Arcade Arches, Fox Theater, Atlanta, Georgia  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved


This image may conjure visions from The Arabian Nights, perhaps as a setting for an Ali Baba or Aladdin story. But it is actually a detail of Moorish architecture from historic Fox Theater, in Atlanta, Georgia.

Completed in 1929, The Fox was designed as a Shriner's Temple but later converted into an opulent movie theater. These days it provides a popular venue for performing artists. This year it will feature stars such as Il Volo, Norah Jones, The B-52s, Ringo Starr, and Garrison Keillor's A Prairie Home Companion.

For a little weekend entertainment, I have included below three photography links that I hope you will enjoy.

This girl seems to levitate like a magic carpet.

Try this for self-assignment photography.

Finally, a collection of masterworks by Marc.

My Light

Alleyway, East Bay Street, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved


Today marks the 26th wedding anniversary for me and Becky,
my spouse, friend and blog editor.
 In walking our path together these last 26 years,
she has been the light of my life,
and the joy of my soul.
 Simply put,
 I loved her then
I love her now
and I'll love her for eternity.

(I, Becky, don't think this needs to be edited at all!)

Kicking Trends

Detail of Outdoor Mural, Auburn, Alabama  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



If you step
to the beat of a different drummer,
or walk
the path less traveled,
you are the individual
who sees the trends
and rethinks them,
making your own impression.

Quest

Early Spring Mountainside, Tanawha Trail, Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina
  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved


I have searched high and low,
East and West,
North and South,
in my unending quest for the perfect yodeling spot.
This outcrop of lichen covered rock
overlooking early spring blooms of Serviceberry
high above the Blue Ridge Parkway
certainly seemed a good candidate.

Yodeling works best at an open spot like this
where all the mountains and valleys can hear your echo,
and where all the birds and bees can flee for cover.

Yet this day was too windy and cold
 for a good old fashion yodel.
So my quest continues ever onward
for the perfect yodeling spot.

Mother Nature...

The Needles, Cannon Beach, Oregon  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Velvia slide film)


Without the use of apps
She packs
Sea stacks
Down by the sea shore.

River City

Mural Triptych, Union Terminal, Cincinnati, Ohio  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on images for larger view)


Union Terminal is a classic art deco train station featuring large colorful murals in the rotunda. The mosaic murals depict the history of Cincinnati particularly as it relates to the importance of the city's ties to the Ohio River, and the development of its commerce and industry.

Cincinnati has a strong German influence, going back to the beginning of its settlement, so it is not surprising that the murals were created by a German-American artist, Winold Reiss. The main mural, seen in part here, and other murals in the station took him two years to complete, the project being finalized in 1933.

I wanted to try something different with today's post so I cropped a single vertical photograph into three images, each capable of standing alone as an individual composition.

Bad Car Day

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


Have you ever had one of those days
 when you are driving along the highway
in your shiny new sports car,
 and for no apparent reason
you have a strange urge
 to swerve off the road into an abandoned field,
where your car suddenly ages 80 years
into a rusty old jalopy with a flat tire?

Hey, me too!

Wonsqueak Weekends

Lobster Shack, Wonsqueak Harbor, Schoodic Peninsula, Maine
  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved


For hardy Maine lobstermen,
the favorite indoor thing to do,
on dark and dreary weekends,
is to bake chocolate chip cookies,
and sip sleepytime tea...
 at least that's what I heard.

After you bake your own cookies this weekend,
take a moment to check out this superstar of street photography.
or
this fun collection of classic road trip pics.

Tumbler

Stairwell, Parking Garage, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved


Oops... bumble, stumble, tumble,
Down the stairs I go,
Head over heels.
Hello 3rd floor.
Hello 2nd floor.
Hello Ground floor.
Whump!

Head spinning...
Stars swirling...
Seeing my world
Purple and bruised.
Ouch!

Less is More

Outdoor Art Installation, Waterfront Park, North Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok



Unless you prefer more...

Leap of Faith?

Shop Window Reflection, King Street, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved

Have you ever made a life changing decision based not on reason or logic, but on intuition or gut feeling... one where you threw caution to the wind, disregarded all your fears and reservations, and leapt into the unknown?

Was one of those life altering events ever one where you imagined yourself transparent and leaping into the side of a building while sporting fasionable swim wear?

Hey, me too!

Mysterious Monday - Seance

Dusk, Antebellum Mansion, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved

A few years ago, I attended a seance with the purpose of trying to contact a long deceased relative of mine... my great, great, great, great uncle Wild Bill Hickok. Many legends surrounded this supposed lawman of the Wild West, including the wrestling of bears. So I wanted to ask him if it was really true he wrestled grizzly bears.

While calling upon his spirit, the seance table began to lift off the ground and slowly turn. The lights in the room dimmed, and mist began swirling around me. When I heard strange thumping sounds, my eyes grew wide with astonishment 
and my hair stood on end.

Suddenly the spirit of Wild Bill manifested itself. In a bone chilling voice, he neither confirmed nor denied the bear wrestling stories. He did however advise me against playing poker, especially sitting at a table with my back facing the door... especially in a saloon... and especially while holding a hand of aces and eights, 
the dreaded dead man's hand.

Since that night, I gave up saloons, hard liquor and gambling. Now I only drink sarsaparilla and play an occasional game of tiddlywinks. But I decided to continue the family tradition of wrestling grizzly bears, which by the way, is much more dangerous than I thought it would be.

Red Azaleas

Red Azaleas, South Battery, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Velvia slide film)


The cover shot for this year's Festival of Houses and Gardens was made at White Point Gardens on a sunny Spring morning. The light was just right... the flowers and mansion were in shade (soft light), while the live oak branches were illuminated (backlight) by the early morning sun.

The tours began the third week of March and ended this weekend. We had a very early Spring this year (as did many parts of the US), so the usual time of full blooming was several weeks ahead of schedule.

Historic Charleston Foundation
 Ticket Brochure

Spring Evenings

Garden Gate, Two Meeting Street Inn, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved


One charming aspect of Charleston is evenings in Spring. They are an ideal time to stroll the historic district and enjoy the pleasant atmosphere of sweet smelling gardens.

Tomorrow I will conclude my series of Springtime in Charleston with this year's cover shot for the Historic Charleston Foundation's Festival of Houses and Gardens.

Rustic Relief

Rustic Bench, Nathaniel Russell House Garden, Charleston, SC
(Click on image for larger view)


This old iron bench may look uncomfortable to sit in, but after walking around the historic district on a warm Spring day,
you would be amazed at the relief it offers... Ahhhhh!

And now, for your weekend enjoyment,
 take a quick look at these photography links...

See an eclectic collection of images from here and there.

These photographs look like Chinese ink wash paintings.

Finally, Noel has a highly unusual approach to landscape photography.

Long Limbed Oak

Live Oak, White Point Gardens, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok
(Click on image for larger view)


White Point Gardens is home to rows of long limbed live oaks and blooming azaleas. It also frames picturesque antebellum mansions which overlook the peaceful greenspace. The gardens are one of the best spots in town to enjoy a sunny Spring afternoon.

China Rose

Yellow Lady Banksia Rose, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok


Spilling between balusters and over a garden wall, a Lady Banksia Rose graces this view of an antebellum mansion in historic Charleston. Considered a favorite of Southern gardens, especially the yellow variety, the ornamental vine is actually native to China. The rose was named after the wife of the English botanist
 Sir Joseph Banks (1743-1820).