A Touch of Heaven

Dawn, Clingmans Dome, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina
 © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved (Velvia slide film)


On a chill autumn morning, dawn suffuses the sky with warm hues. From atop Clingmans Dome, the highest point in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the still air was so cold my fingers could barely operate the camera. Yet, there was such an unmatched sense of peace and tranquility, a touch of heaven.

Timelessness

St. Michael's Reflection in City Hall Window, Charleston, SC
 © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved


At Charleston's "Four Corners of Law", a symbol of God's Law (St. Michael's Church) is reflected in the window of a symbol of Man's Law (City Hall). The image has an ageless aspect... it could represent the modern era or 150 years ago when Charleston was at the epicenter of the American Civil War. Or even further back during its antebellum times. This sense of timelessness is augmented by the ghostly appearance of the city's iconic colonial church in the window.

Spiked Coffee

Sign, The Gnu's Room Coffee and Books, Auburn, Alabama
 © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved (Click on image for larger view)



In Auburn you can keep up with the latest news at The Gnu's Room
 while sipping coffee with a splash of whiskey....
that's a Saturday with oomph!

A Fine But Improbable Balance

Hanging Shaker Chair (Image Inverted), Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, Kentucky
 © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved  (Velvia slide film)


A Shaker chair poised on a wall peg seemingly defies gravity.

If you're feeling confused, you may want to view this while standing on your head...

Three French Windows

Three French Windows, Elliott Street, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
 (Click on image for larger view)


Wandering the streets of Charleston during the quiet of daybreak is usually rewarding for photographers. Catching the morning light just right transforms an ordinary scene into something magical. I like the way this old brick wall frames these three French windows. The slanting light adds a pleasant patina of warmth and texture.

Bonsai Bonanza

Bonsai Tree, North Carolina Arboretum, Asheville, NC
 © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



The Carolina Bonsai Expo is held October 13th and 14th at the North Carolina Arboretum. If you enjoy bonsai, this event will be a bonanza for you.

By the way, don't sigh if you spy the shy Thai guy with a bonsai on the lanai.
Just say hi, then wave bye.

Evening Glow

Lamp on South Battery and Clouds, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Velvia slide film. Click on image for larger view)



A lamp glows at twilight along Charleston's South Battery while the evening's last light colors clouds hanging above the harbor.

Passing the Time of Day

Great Egret, Shem Creek, Mt. Pleasant, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Cloud watching.

Golden Headstones

Old Headstones, First Baptist Church, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Early morning light slants between the narrow gaps of houses into an ancient churchyard, illuminating a row of old headstones. The churchyard belongs to the First Baptist Church, established in Charleston in 1689.

Hand in Hand

Two Palmetto Fronds, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Velvia slide film)



Two palmetto fronds entwine in a harmonious partnership.

Seaside Celebrities

Sea Stars, Folly Beach, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Starfish

No Tresspassing

Sign, King Street, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
 (Click on image for larger view)



Just kidding.
Everyone is welcome here!

South Battery Piazzas

Piazzas, South Battery, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Piazzas of antebellum homes face Charleston Harbor,
catching cool breezes and sunset's golden hues.

A Tuesday Twist

Curving Tree, Ship Harbor Trail, Acadia National Park, Maine
  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved  (Click on image for larger view)


Turning away for a day from color photography;
a post in black and white,
with a twisting tree as the subject.

Dancing Light

Shrimp Boats, Shem Creek, Mt. Pleasant, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Light from the setting sun bounces off a shrimp boat window then reflects off the rippled surface of Shem Creek. The reflected sunlight appears to bend 
as it dances on the water.


My apologies for falling behind on my blog visits. I have a heavy shooting schedule this time of year, but will catch-up with everyone soon enough.

In the mean time, thank you for your visits and your patience.

A Remembrance

Tomb Sculpture, Magnolia Cemetery, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Contemplating a love immortal.

Beam Shadows

Beam Shadows, Bohicket Marina, John's Island, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view)


Rays of sunshine cast shadows 
across textured concrete beams at Bohicket Marina.

A Hint of Fall

Sycamore Trees, Waterfront Park, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
 (Click on image for larger view)


A few early autumn leaves fall to the ground in Charleston's Waterfront Park. This weekend heralds the official beginning of autumn in North America. 
But here in the Lowcountry we still have about a month of warm weather left until it really begins to feel like fall.

In the meantime, happy autumnal equinox to all,
 and to all a cool crisp day!

A "Who-Done-It"

Prone Body, Merry-Go-Round, Piazza Navona, Rome, Italy
 © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Velvia slide film. Click on image for larger view)



Early one morning,
 in the ancient city of Roma,
 in a deserted Piazza Navona,
 by a motionless Merry-Go-Round,
lay a mysterious body,
 still and quiet... deathly quiet.

Who-done-it?

Not a Sea Flower

Sea Anemones in a Tide Pool, Seal Rock State Park, Oregon
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved  (Velvia slide film)


Although it may look like a flower, a sea anemone is a marine predator. Around its mouth are tentacles armed with poisonous stinging cells used for self-defense or capturing prey. If I were a small fish, or crab, or errant toe, I would not want to make an enemy of anemone.